Having qualified as a Social Worker in 1989, I worked in a range of practice settings.  I began working with vulnerable adults (older people and people with learning disability), and then specialised in working with children and families, and specifically in child protection.  During this time I qualified as an 'Approved Practitioner' under the Mental Health Act, where I led on statutory mental health assessments to consider compulsory admission to mental health services under the Act.

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I then moved into a statutory health and social care service, offering mental health assessments and care planning.  I was a founding member of one of the Merseyside's mental health crisis intervention teams.

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Having left statutory services, I became a Senior Counsellor in a university counselling service, where I worked with students and staff for nearly 20 years, often responding to students at risk of suicide and self-injury.  I became Director for Colleges and Universities for the Charlie Waller Trust, where I led national initiatives for developing mental health support and education in further and higher education across the UK.

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I have run my own successful independent practice for therapy, supervision, coaching, training and consultation for nearly 20 years.