About Me

My name is Andy. I've trained as both a counsellor and a low intensity cognitive behavioural therapist, working for the past seven years in NHS Talking Therapies as both a Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and a Colleague Wellbeing Trainer. Prior to this I trained and qualified as an integrative counsellor volunteering for local low-cost counselling charities.

Counselling enables individuals to express themselves and process their emotions, whilst cognitive behavioural therapy can offer a more framed therapeutic support to address the wellbeing ramifications of resulting depression and anxiety such as lack of motivation, withdrawal from life and struggles facing a new and uncertain future.​

 

Having also previously worked as a teacher, I can deliver family support and am well placed to offer psychoeducation. This helps to explain the nature of grief, assisting us in understanding how and why our bodies and brains respond to loss. This enables us to respect our emotions and normalise rather than trivialise them.

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I have delivered many mental health and wellbeing workshops to the public including open wellbeing presentations to the Met Office and the Devon & Cornwall Police Constabulary.

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I am passionate about animals and the meaning they give our lives. I have four amazing rescue dogs (Pluto, Luna, Obie & Fox) and three cats (Foz, Echo & Tibi) who keep us busy, but most of all, happy and fulfilled. Aside from my therapeutic work, and spending time with them, I run a secure dog park, Waggy Trails, focussing on mental stimulation and environmental enrichment for the wellbeing of dogs.

 

Below are links to an interview have undertaken for the NHS and, also to my secure dog park:

Time to Talk Day: An opportunity to open up - https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/news/time-to-talk-day-an-opportunity-to-open-up

Waggy Trails - www.waggytrailsdogpark.com