It is a great honour to be a trustee of Peculiar Sisters after being touched by hearing their story. Although I write this from a position of a white female growing up in the UK I connected with having positive female roles models and the resilience and strength they have gained through their sisterhood and faith.
I currently work as a highly specialist clinical psychologist working with older people in mental health and crisis services which is where I met Varria. I have experience of working with a range of presentations including complex emotional needs, trauma, bereavement, adjustment and dementia. I have an interest in supervision and provide clinical supervision to a range of professionals which includes offering placements for trainee clinical psychologists. My approach often focuses on creating a safe base in the supervisory relationship which enhances their development and learning. I have also valued having supervisors I can turn to when faced with different dilemma’s and challenges so recognise the value that the mentoring scheme can offer.
I have an interest in systemic practice (i.e. family therapy) and have become a committee member and secretary for Derbyshire Association of Family Therapy so have experience of both facilitating and organising workshops and conferences. I am keen to develop anti-discriminatory practice (e.g. advocating for those with least power, reducing barriers and challenging dominant narratives) and hope these transferable skills may help support the work of Peculiar Sisters. Within my workplace I also hold different positions such as being a recruitment and inclusion guardian (to challenge inequalities in the workplace), union workplace representative (to improve working conditions) and am in the process of becoming a mentor for aspiring psychologists from BAME backgrounds.
Prior to my training I travelled around the world and also lived in Vancouver where I volunteered at a rape crisis centre.
