EMDR and Counselling for PTSD, Anxiety and Depression
I'd like to break the ice by sharing a little about what led me to become a counsellor. So here goes…
Several years ago, I was feeling really low. In fact, no, I was at rock bottom. I had experienced a significant trauma and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. My GP advised me to self-refer for counselling through the NHS (because apparently, that would be quicker than a GP referral).
And so I was on a never-ending waiting list with Leeds Mental Health Services for trauma-related counselling. I had a family and friends support network, but no one close to me really got what I was going through. I was angry and confused. I was trapped, caged by the trauma. Out of sheer desperation, I enrolled on an introduction to counselling skills course with the belief that if I learned the right skills, I could basically counsel myself.
I learned an awful lot about myself in that 10-week introductory training (but unfortunately, not how to counsel myself). When the course ended, I had a massive amount of self-awareness and knowledge about my 'self' that I didn't know what to do with. The natural progression was to continue with counsellor training to tie up loose ends, so to speak. Fortunately, the compulsory element of this training was to partake in a substantial amount of therapeutic counselling. And finally, I got the help I so desperately needed.
Completely without intention, counselling became my passion. I was inspired by the patience, understanding and unconditional positive regard given to me by this very ordinary looking lady - my counsellor. Her name was Dawn. I felt seen, heard and genuinely cared about. Dawn listened to me with curiosity and compassion, gently challenging where appropriate to deepen my awareness and understanding. My counsellor supported me to heal and move forwards from life changing events. I didn't have to recover alone, and neither do you.
But what has stayed with me, is that moment many years ago, when I asked myself 'Where do you go, when you don't know where to go?' That memory has shaped everything since, and led me to create a counselling practice that feels friendly, professional and approachable.
Qualifications and training
2018 - Qualified as a Person Centred counsellor and attained my CPCAB level 4 Counselling Diploma. In 2023 I gained BACP Accredited status. My BACP registration number is 378284.
2023 - Completed training to become an EMDR therapist. I achieved EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner status in 2025 and can be found on the EMDR Association UK register of accredited practitioners. My EMDR Association membership number is 176619.
Additional training: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, Attachment informed EMDR, IFS informed EMDR, Trauma informed Stabilisation and REWIND therapy.
In line with BACP guidelines I engage in regular clinical supervision and complete annual CPD relevant to my areas of practice. My commitment is to ethical, evidence-based therapy. I work with adults (18+) and support a wide range of issues. However, I do not treat addiction, substance abuse, or eating disorders as primary concerns, as these require specialist training and a multidisciplinary approach.
Calm the Chaos Counselling is not a crisis service. If you need urgent support call NHS 111, 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.
