Emma (she/her)
Counselling Service Lead/Counsellor
As well as managing the service, as a qualified Counsellor I also work with a small number of clients each week.
I have a particular interest in working with identity issues, including sexuality, sense of belonging and sense of self. My experience is varied and includes a focus in working with neurodivergent clients, relationship difficulties, grief and loss and more. I support clients to understand themselves better, acknowledge difficulties in how they relate to the world, and tailor my approach to meet the needs of the individual. I am passionate about my client work and feel incredibly grateful to do what I do each day.
In my personal time, I enjoy outdoor adventures and gardening.
Katie (she/her)
Counselling Service Coordinator/Counsellor
As service coordinator, I will likely be the first person you speak to when you get started with our service, and you will often find me at reception at Clarence House. I am also a qualified counsellor and have completed over 750 hours of client sessions and successfully worked with a range of difficulties during this time.
I have a particular interest in relationship and communication issues and have recently completed a couples counselling course. As well as specialising in neurodiversity and its effect on mental health, with lived experience of autism and ADHD.
My main way of working is to focus on building a safe, therapeutic relationship, to allow the embrace of all parts of yourself and your feelings. To help you understand yourself more deeply and your responses to the world, and encourage empowerment and self-improvement.
My special interest is musical theatre, and I also like to read and watch films with my husband.
Hannah (she/they)
Counsellor
I have been involved with Leeds Mind for the past 12 years, from being a volunteer baker, running poetry evenings and LGBT support groups, to now as a counsellor. I began my therapeutic training in 2017 alongside volunteering for an eating disorder charity.
I work in a person-centred way and believe in the value of the therapeutic relationship between counsellor and client. Occasionally I may incorporate techniques from other theories to help my clients understand themselves, and I welcome creativity in the therapy room. I am interested in the impact the past has on our ways of relating to one another, and I work in a collaborative way with my clients to explore this. I have a particular interest in anti-racist practice, intersectionality and advocating for trans rights. I have worked with many different presentations in the past, including anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, trauma, relationship issues, abuse and OCD.
Outside of work I enjoy reading, running, knitting, and playing the piano.
Helen (she/her)
Counsellor
My interest in counselling grew from my own personal journey accessing transformational counselling support as a young adult. This led me to pursue a career working as a lived experience practitioner, which has been a rewarding journey building my empathy whilst training towards becoming a counsellor. Over the last 7 years, I have worked at Leeds Mind primarily with young people dealing with trauma, change, intrusive thoughts, abuse and complex mental health needs. Working with a lot of individuals who have experienced difficult clinical environments or trauma, I believe in fostering a counselling relationship which is led by the individual. I use person-centred and trauma-informed principles and work with each person I speak with on an individual level, putting collaboration and transparency at the forefront of how I work.
Outside of work, I enjoy baking, attending gigs and music events and going to the cinema.
Simon (he/him)
Counsellor
My interest in counselling began 30 years ago, while working alongside Counsellors at Victim Support. Providing emotional and practical support for crime victims was my introduction to active listening and seeing firsthand how I could help someone who was able to be honest with their feelings following a traumatic experience. I learned a lot from the Counsellors in this role. My curiosity never left me and I finally decided to begin training to become a counsellor in 2016, qualifying in 2021.
As a person-centred counsellor with Leeds Mind, I am happy to work with clients with whatever they choose to bring. I have previously worked with clients who have shared their experiences of bereavement, loss, abuse, relationship breakdown, trauma, eating disorders, body image, anxiety and depression. I have gained significant experience from my work with clients, and my aim is to create a safe space to explore whatever is troubling you.
Alongside counselling, my other passions include music, films, walking and cats.
Genie (she/her)
Volunteer counsellor
I specialise in person-centred and psychodynamic therapy. I believe the therapeutic relationship is co-created and I aim to provide a safe and supportive environment to cultivate self awareness and increase resilience.
I am from Romania originally and enjoy reading, drawing and spending time with my dog and cat.
Chris (he/him)
Volunteer/trainee counsellor
I am an integrative counsellor, bringing a wealth of life and professional experience to my therapeutic practice. With a diverse background in the business world and community support, I offer a compassionate, collaborative space for clients to explore their experiences. My approach is informed by a strong understanding of neuroscience and a commitment to adapting therapy to meet each individual’s unique needs.
Jane (she/her)
Volunteer/trainee counsellor
I am currently completing the Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Leeds Beckett University and work in an ‘integrative’ and ‘relational’ way. This means I will focus on building a relationship with you and understanding your specific experiences and feelings, helping you to make sense of them in a way that is helpful to you. I will utilise a range of different styles of counselling depending on your own preferences and priorities.
I have experience working with people of all experiences and backgrounds facing a huge range of challenges and difficulties. Alongside my role as a counsellor, I am a Peer Support worker at Leeds Mind and am currently developing expertise in working with neurodivergent clients.
When I’m not at work, I love coffee and books and am building up a spreadsheet of independent cafes within an hour of my house where I can enjoy both. 😊
Jodie (she/her)
Volunteer/trainee counsellor
I work in a person-centred, integrative way, which means that I will follow your lead and we will work at your pace, in a way that best suits you and your needs.
Outside of counselling, I enjoy music, travel and food. My favourite ways to spend free time are going to gigs, singing in my band and long walks with my Labrador, Erol.
I’m looking forward to working with you and getting to know each other.