Qualifications and Testimonials
Diploma Counselling
Diploma Life Coach
Diploma Humanities
ITEC Certificate Intuitive Massage Therapy.
Degree Performance Arts
15 years devising and running person centred therapy groups promoting
personal development, relationship building, self esteem and confidence.
15 years promoting and training equal opportunities, and diversity awareness.
25 years using Integrative Interaction with people with learning disabilities and/or behaviour that may challenge.
On-going personal development and training.
7 years bereavement counselling for CRUSE.
4 years counselling at SWADS supporting people with drug and alcohol problems.
4 years Youth Mentoring at The Door Youth Project
Ongoing private therapeutic practice combining all of the above experience and training.
Diploma Life Coach
Diploma Humanities
ITEC Certificate Intuitive Massage Therapy.
Degree Performance Arts
15 years devising and running person centred therapy groups promoting
personal development, relationship building, self esteem and confidence.
15 years promoting and training equal opportunities, and diversity awareness.
25 years using Integrative Interaction with people with learning disabilities and/or behaviour that may challenge.
On-going personal development and training.
7 years bereavement counselling for CRUSE.
4 years counselling at SWADS supporting people with drug and alcohol problems.
4 years Youth Mentoring at The Door Youth Project
Ongoing private therapeutic practice combining all of the above experience and training.
COUNSELLING TESTIMONIALS
"I came to Trina as a last resort; I had hit rock bottom and my problems were ruining my life. Coming to her was the best thing I did. As soon as I spoke to her I knew that she could help me and I also knew that I had someone who really cared about me.
She never judged me on my behaviour as so many people were quick to do, and she understood me – she never told me to do anything I didn’t want to, but she’s given me the tools to understand why I act in the way that I do so that I can make a choice and an informed decision in future. She supported me even when I took the wrong route and still continues to do so. That made, and makes such a difference – to know that I can go to someone and cry when things go wrong without a judgement or an “I told you so”.
Without Trina I wouldn’t be the person I am today, and I wouldn’t know myself like I do. I really thought that nothing would help, that I was a lost cause and that I would live the rest of my life in misery, but she has helped me to get better and realise that there are things worth living for, and that I am unique and a person worth having in people’s lives. I would never have believed that before I met her.
I can’t thank her enough for how she has turned my life around. I am looking forward to the future to see what life will bring, rather than dreading it!
I really can’t recommend her highly enough to people. If you need someone who won’t judge and who will support you through anything – Trina is the person you should call. I did, and it was the best decision I made."
Sarah
Hello Me! (Thanks to Trina)
Hello me
Who would of thought I could lose me
After many ups and downs and feeling pretty crap about myself listening to the "Mental Health jargon"
Counselling?
Nope that's not me!!!!
But I decided to take a leap of faith believe me it was a huge leap after years of battling on my own.
But I wasn't on my own I had people around me but I can't explain really I needed a little more support reassurance just someone to listen to me! Solely me
To have someone to talk to no judgement just to listen
To cry realising I really don't have to feel this way just reavaluate why maybe I feel this way and to iron out the creases
Finding me after so long is a real learning curve and actually after digging deep I actually like me
I'm finally emerging after being hidden
Don't get me wrong
Strategies hard work and rethinking have all been a part of working through
All with the help of a counsellor
No stigma no shame
I'm so proud of myself
Thank you Trina
Karen
"I went to counselling after the breakdown of yet another relationship. The experience of counselling helped me to see the bigger picture of what was actually going on. It helped me to come to terms with greater childhood issues and enabled me to put back together all the different parts of myself that had over the years become separated and lost.
Counselling helped me to realise the grief I was still carrying from my marriage break-up some ten years previous. Through counselling I now understood the emotions behind my behaviour, and how childhood traumas affected my patterns of behaviour today.
Painful as it sometimes was , I now feel empowered and in control of what goes on in my life today.Counselling for me was an invaluable experience.
I felt safe and respected during my counselling sessions with Trina. Her approach to counselling is a very genuine one and this meant that the experience worked for me as I then trusted her as a person.
Trina counsels with her heart and soul which if you are open to this approach means you can feel secure and valued in your time with her."
Alison
“I’ve had lots of counsellors since I was 17 but to be honest I never really got on with any of them. Trina is the only one that I felt I connected with. I just felt really comfortable with her which meant I could open up to her. She’s the first counsellor that I felt really understood me and listened to what I was trying to say.”
D.B
"I began seeing Trina when I continued to struggle with a very painful bereavement. Other changes in my life had also impacted on my self confidence and ability to deal with my grief. Trina gave me the space to work through difficult issues in a way that demonstrated her genuine empathy and understanding. She established a safe and supportive relationship, enabling an unhurried dialogue, without pressure or unrealistic expectations. She never imposed inappropriate advice, but used sensitive prompts to develop increased self awareness and a growing confidence in my own worth.
I now feel the future is more positive and accept the inevitable pain of loss as part of my experience and my identity."
Thankyou Trina
(Name with held)
"I was ready for counselling. I believed the time was right for me to enter into counselling in the hope that if it worked I could change everything about myself and my life. This was despite having had a very unsatisfactory experience of counselling some eight years earlier.
I kind of put all my hope into counselling "fixing me". What I wasn't prepared for however was the immediate bond I struck with Trina and the absolute certainty I felt that she was going to be my "saviour". It all sounds very dramatic but I walked in there with feelings of grief, hopelessness, sadness, anger, guilt, bitterness and confusion.
Trina really listened to me and heard what I was saying. I began to trust in her completely and could be completely honest about how I felt. I wanted to be honest about everything but always worried about being judged, but Trina never made me feel that way. Instead I was able to explore different viewpoints and opinions and to gradually understand and make peace with life's events that had led me down a rather dark lonely existence. I learned to accept certain things about myself and no longer felt bad or guilty.
Trina has always said that I'd done all of the hard work myself, but the reality is that without her counselling sessions I would still be in a place that I now feel very far removed from. Thank you Trina."
Julie W
"When I met Trina for the first time, I immediately felt that she is the "right" counsellor for me. Trina's warmth, her empathic understanding and her non-judgemental manner helped me to go to places I never thought I would be able to. This was out of fear that I might not survive the shear amount of painful emotions I had to face. On the other hand I was eager to go to these places and face my pain and fear, I was eager to grow, to get to know and understand myself and others more. With Trina I felt very safe, held, respected, listened to and understood, and the most important issue for me, not judged! She accepted me for who I was. This allowed me to be completely honest with her without constant fear of judgement, and therefore with myself. Trina's genuineness, her empathy and the unconditional positive regard she offered me allowed for a deep, trustful relationship to grow and therefore opened the path for me to go and explore some of my deepest darkest fears and also to grow as a person. Trina guided me gently through this process, always believing in me and being there for me in some of my darkest times. It was an incredible journey and I have gained much more than I ever thought I would. I am very grateful for what we have achieved together , as well as for Trina guiding and accommodating me in whatever way needed and possible. I can recommend Trina with all my sincerity and very warmly."
G.P
"I came to Trina at a point of enormous change in my life. I was going through a painful bereavement and dealing with the terminal illness of my mum, whilst processing huge internal change; suffice to say I needed a space to make sense of everything that was happening in my life, and in Trina I found it. The relationship always felt extremely safe and supportive, and as a consequence I was able to go to some very deep and painful places for the first time in my life. I never felt any expectations, I never felt rushed and knew that everything would run at my pace. I worked with Trina for around 1 year, and I am not exaggerating when I say that in the space of that year I changed completely; I know who I am now for the first time in my life. My journey started with Trina, and I honestly don’t think I would be where I am now if it weren't for the work we did together. Trina is one of the most genuine, empathic and compassionate counsellors I have ever worked with (and that’s a few), and I cannot recommend her highly enough."
Chantelle.
"I am so thankful for the support Trina has given me. It is so positive to see that since having therapy I am using the different tools that I have built up in my tool box with her. My thoughts and feelings have transformed since working with Trina and I am so much happier for it".
R.S
"I just wanted to say a huge thank you. You helped me rise up from the well of depression and anxiety so that I could become my true self. You helped me find myself again - to laugh, smile, trust people, make new friends and do things I couldn't have done before. I will always be grateful for all that you have done for me".
J.B
"When I finally found the courage to explore counselling, I had an initial consultation with Trina, and knew instantly I could talk openly and honestly, be my true self and could put my trust in her. My problem was self-inflicted, and I wasn’t the innocent party or victim but, despite this, Trina never judged me or made me feel guilty. Instead, she helped me look at the possible reasons behind my behaviour, giving me the tools to overcome my issues and help prevent a repeat occurrence. If I had a setback along the way, I knew I could admit this, and Trina would support me in getting back on track. Trina helped me see what I valued in life and what was important to me. She gave me something to work towards and the strength to let go of the part of my life I thought I so desperately needed, but clearly did not!
Through talking to Trina, it made me realise that a part of who I am and the choices I made could be a result of certain childhood events and trauma experienced as an adult. She helped me understand that it does not have to be linked as far back as childhood and that unhealed issues can remain dormant and may surface later in unexpected ways.
It can be daunting trying to choose a counsellor and taking that first step, but I am so glad I did and that I found Trina. I was able to rediscover what I valued, gain back my confidence and understand more about my repeated behaviour patterns. Trina said I did the hard work in helping myself, but I could not have done this without her non-judgemental approach, understanding, empathy and guidance. The experience was a positive one and through Trina’s genuine, caring attitude, we built a solid foundation on which to work and developed a strong and trusting relationship. I felt safe and that Trina genuinely cared about me and believed in me. I can whole-heartedly recommend Trina and would seek her help and support again, if ever needed.
Thank you for everything Trina".
TW
"I've done a lot of therapy over the years - (CBT, talking etc) but I've never felt or seen such a difference in myself afterwards. I can't really believe how much progress we made. Every session I came away with new realisations that honestly felt life-changing in those moments. I don't think I've ever felt so stable in myself for years and it's such a relief to begin doing things again that I struggled with previously. It was really special to find someone who is so open and non-judgemental, and who seemed to share a lot of my values. Thank you so much Trina!"
C.L
I began seeing Trina when I was experiencing debilitating and almost daily panic attacks. My sense of safety was entirely shattered and I was looking for a therapist that would finally "cure" me of anxiety and "negative" emotions. I was desperate to avoid and run away from how I felt and my life reflected that - many people constantly reinforced shaming messages about emotions and continued to teach me to push them away.
Over the course of a year, Trina and I worked together to build up tools that allowed me to feel as opposed to avoid my feelings and to hold space for them in my body. Trina taught me how to feel safe in my body again and we built a toolbox which I use regularly.
Trina has been highly flexible to my needs - meeting me at times twice weekly and at other times monthly.
My entire mindset around my emotions and holding them has shifted to a much happier, healthier approach where I can sit through how I feel and make space for feelings when appropriate. The feelings haven't been eliminated as I'd once hoped, but they are quieter, I am less overwhelmed by them and I'm starting to hold them as they arise as opposed to fighting them for hours on end, which would leave me highly anxious and exhausted.
I have learned to rest and relax after any episodes of anxiety, treating myself with deep love and care instead of fear. For the first time in my life I am holding with uncertainty, sadness and fear and every day that passes I am able to hold the tiniest bit more.
I am choosing people on their ability to listen to what I need and help me feel safe. My journey has not ended but the space between my sessions has expanded.
My work with Trina influences my day to day life as I navigate uncertainty and the emotions this triggers, find people who treat me kindly and safely, ask for help and meet my own needs. Every time I meet a trigger and practice, it is a little bit easier. I cry once every few days instead of hourly.
I no longer believe that I can cut out emotions, but that life is infinitely easier when my feelings are listened to, embraced and held with love and safety.
It is also easier to do this when I know that Trina is cheering me on from afar.
Thank you Trina.
Name withheld
I began attending Trina's Relaxation and Mindfulness sessions after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, but you don't need to be ill to benefit from this approach to good mental and physical health.
Trina creates a relaxed and informal atmosphere in which it is easy to follow her directions through the initial stretching exercises and onto periods of deep breathing and visualisation.
I have been really impressed with the effect that these sessions are having on my feeling of wellbeing and I am convinced that it has helped with my recovery from illness.
One hour each week is a small investment which is bringing great benefits.
It is becoming increasingly recognised how our minds and bodies are linked and if you have not tried this method of healing then Trina is an excellent guide in the first steps to mindfulness.
P.B