Hello! I'm Louise. Thank you for having a look around my website. I hope you find what you are looking for - if not, please do get in touch! 

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I am down-to-earth, friendly, and passionate about what I do. I love rock n roll, going to the theatre, Shakespeare, and a good roast dinner (Yorkshire puddings are essential)! I live in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in England, although I'm originally from the Midlands, and I work nationwide. 

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What do I do? And how can i help you?

In my private practice I specialise in working with people experiencing issues related to change, loss, and grief - things like relationship and family breakdowns, bereavement, life-limiting illness, divorce, menopause, loss of a pet, job loss, loss of purpose, meaning, or health, and suicide. Being human means we will undoubtably experience lots of losses and changes in our lives - I can help you navigate those times when they feel difficult.

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As a Dramatherapist, I understand that sometimes people can't find the words to express how they feel. Sometimes, words just aren't enough. I can help you express yourself in ways that might be easier than directly talking about stuff, using creative interventions like stories, your favourite song lyrics, music, puppets, games, role playing, drawing and painting. Of course, sometimes there's loads of talking and words too! I can help you find ways to explore your concerns, worries, thoughts and feelings however works best for you!

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Alongside my private practice, I provide Consultancy and Training for organisations nationwide. Through this work, I have the privilege of connecting with dedicated individuals and contributing to the creation of safer, better-resourced, and more compassionate communities.

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Summary of my Experience & Qualifications ​​

• Qualified Arts Psychotherapist - Dramatherapist (Masters in Dramatherapy) 

• Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)

• Trained in Bereavement Counselling​, including: 

  • Theories & Models of Grief, Bereavement & Attachment Theory, Complexities & Complications of Grief, Bereavement Assessment & Evaluation, Family Systems Approach to Grief, Attachment Theory & Childhood Bereavement, Managing Sudden Childhood Bereavement, Traumatic Stress & Childhood Bereavement, Autism & Childhood Bereavement, Communicating with Children who are Facing Bereavement 

• Visiting Lecturer on the MA Dramatherapy programme at The University of Derby

• Qualified teacher of post-compulsory and adult education - CertEd FE and Level 4 Certificate in Further Education Teaching

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Master Trainer 

• Trained in ASK - Assessing Suicide in Kids 

• Media Trained 

• Schwartz Rounds Facilitator

• Trained in Working with Multilingual Clients With and Without an Interpreter 

• Trained in Mindfulness 

• Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)

• Trained in Sage & Thyme (Listening to Worried or Distressed People)

• MHFA Instructor - MHFA Adult & MHFA for the Armed Forces Community (not active)

• Trained in AAMET Emotional Freedom Techniques Level 1 & 2 

• NVQs in Management and Promoting Independence 

• Post Graduate Certificate in Drama as Healing

• Completed Geese Theatre's 'The Other Side of the Wall' (Theatre & Drama with Offenders and Young People at Risk)  

• BA (Hons) Theatre from Dartington College of Arts  

• Experienced Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) and Community Theatre & Arts Facilitator, including previously running Open Door Theatre Company with and for adults with learning disabilities, drama groups and workshops for adults experiencing mental ill-health, and summer schemes and workshops for children

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Continuous professional development is very important to me and an integral part of my work. CPD is also a mandatory standard for my registration as a therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am continuously engaging in activities that enhance my practice and learning, such as training, workshops, and reading.

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I have been working in the mental health and wellbeing sector for over 20 years, providing frontline support for people experiencing severe and enduring mental ill-health, and as a strategic and operational manager of innovative mental health services in senior leadership roles in national and local mental health charities. Roles included:

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• Head of Operations at The Kaleidoscope Plus Group national mental health charity ​

• Psychological Therapies & Support Services Lead at Compton Hospice 

• Regional Lead at PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide national charity

• Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Manager at Sandwell Mind

• Wellbeing Services Manager at Sandwell Mind 

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I qualified as a psychotherapist in 2016, and since then I've gained lots of experience in a range of settings, including:

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• Primary and secondary schools - providing one-to-one and group dramatherapy for children and young people

• Adult psychotherapy services with people experiencing suicide thoughts and behaviours, self-harm, substance misuse, severe anxiety, depression, loss and bereavement.

• Hospices - providing palliative care psychotherapy for patients and their families who were dealing with the impact of a life-limiting or incurable illness

• Hospices - providing psychotherapy for bereaved adults, young people, and children who were experiencing complex, complicated, or traumatic grief following the death of their loved one. 

• Specialist psychotherapy service for children and young people in care and adoption, who were impacted by trauma and attachment difficulties - providing one-to-one dramatherapy and consultation with families.

• Private practice with clients experiencing a range of issues and concerns.

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Community & Voluntary Work

In addition to my private practice, I serve as a Director of a Community Interest Company (CIC), Bloom Creative Wellbeing CIC, which is dedicated to supporting and empowering people and communities to bloom through creativity and the arts. Bloom provides arts psychotherapies, creative workshops, arts for wellbeing projects, and training. This role is voluntary and complements my primary professional activities, allowing me to contribute to meaningful community projects and initiatives. As the CIC is still in its early stages, we are focused on laying the groundwork and developing our initial projects. I am committed to advancing our mission and will update on our progress as we grow and bloom! 

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