From a young age, I have felt deeply attuned to the emotional experiences of others, especially those in pain. I was drawn to holding space for people, such as listening, witnessing, and offering empathy, compassion and emotional support. Over time, this pull became a clear path, and I came to understand that supporting others through their healing was not just meaningful to me, but something I was committed to pursuing professionally.

I strongly believe that compassion and humanistic values are some of the most important characteristics one can have, and I endeavour to apply these characteristics as the foundation, not only in the way of living life, but also in my therapeutic work.  I also believe that being naturally a very emphatic and insightful person enables me to be non-judgemental, to enter someone else’s shoes and see the situation from their perspective.

I am someone who enjoys the simple things which life has to offer; like the tranquillity of nature, the blessing of friendships and great company. I am a parent to a special young man who means the world to me and who continues to be my greatest teacher; he continues to be my inspiration to learn and grow every day – not only to become a better parent and human being but also a better therapist whilst dealing with parents, children, adolescents and families.

Being a parent has taught me a great deal about healthy child development and the practical and emotional needs of both parents and children. Being a mother is a huge and special part of my life and I feel it has deepened my empathy for all young people and parents.

I take a strong stand against child maltreatment, domestic abuse and sexual violence. My passion for supporting individuals who have experienced such trauma led me to undertake my role as a Trustee for Mums In Need (MIN), a Non-Profit Organisation. This is an organisation supporting mothers and children who have experienced and escaped domestic abuse. Here, I also worked as a clinician who oversees all the psychological and therapeutic services of the organisation.

I’ve always been passionate about supporting people to make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. My approach is grounded in warmth, empathy, and deep respect for each person’s unique journey. I enjoy working across the lifespan, supporting adults as well as children, adolescents, and their families.

Before training as a psychologist, I worked as a Residential Youth Worker and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher. These early roles shaped my core personal philosophy as a therapist: That behaviour is often a response to unmet emotional needs, and that diagnostic labels can sometimes obscure a person’s deeper story. My time supporting young people with complex trauma highlighted how often underlying pain is overlooked. I knew then that I wanted to work in a way that prioritised connection, understanding, and therapeutic healing.

My clinical experience spans a range of settings, including CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), adult mental health services within the NHS, and psychiatric rehabilitation. I’ve worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, psychosis, and dementia. Across all of these roles, the common thread has been building compassionate, collaborative relationships, where clients feel seen, heard, and supported in exploring what lies beneath their difficulties.

As a therapist of colour from a minority South Asian background, with a refugee history and lived experience of chronic illness, I understand what it means to feel different, marginalised, or excluded. I fled the civil war in Sri Lanka as a child and grew up as a refugee in Denmark. These early disruptions, alongside the complexities of migration, cross-cultural life, and generational trauma, have shaped how I hold space for clients, especially those from marginalised groups as they navigate challenges related to inclusion, diversity, and acceptance.

I have a deep understanding of how culture, patriarchy, and intergenerational trauma can impact mental health, especially for women and children. In many communities, including my own, emotional and physical abuse is still normalised under the guise of tradition, discipline, or family structure. I’m particularly passionate about advocating for children and survivors of trauma, and challenging harmful cultural norms in sensitive and respectful ways.

These experiences have deepened my empathy and compassion for others, while also strengthened my commitment to equality, inclusion, and social justice in mental health, particularly when it comes to gender, culture, and human rights. My cross-cultural background has given me insight into how culture shapes identity, childhood experiences, and views on mental health. This puts me in a strong position to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and to ensure that I offer a therapeutic space where everyone feels seen, respected, and supported.

I bring not only clinical training but lived experience, cultural awareness, and a strong sense of purpose to my work. I remain grounded, reflective, and committed to my own growth so that I can hold space for others in a safe and non-judgmental way.

Through Stepping Stones Psychology, I offer an approach that is relational, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. I genuinely believe that it is an honour to do this work and to walk alongside individuals and families on their healing journeys.

I am a psychologist trained to doctorate level which is the highest level within the profession. As a scientist-practitioner, my clinical training involved a strong foundation of research and scientific practice. This means that I place a great emphasis on psychological theories and recent scientific research; I am dedicated to using evidence-based practices to help you identify your strengths and move through difficult times.

I am trained within the discipline of Counselling Psychology which means that my practice of psychology will be grounded in humanistic values and that my role includes being a reflective practitioner. This involves working with your frame of reference – seeing the challenges from your perspective and adapting treatment to your needs. This means that I work as both a reflective and integrative practitioner.

My core qualifications are as follows:

1. Professional Diploma in Counselling Psychology
2. Professional Advanced Diploma in Counselling Psychology
3. British Psychological Society (BPS)-Accredited Degree: B.Sc (HONS) Psychology
4. British Psychological Society (BPS)-Doctorate Training (training only, not the postdoc. degree) in Counselling Psychology: I have completed my clinical training; completed and passed all taught components and clinical placements of the doctorate. However, I did not complete the thesis component which means I have not been awarded the doctorate qualification. I hold a Masters level Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology and Counselling

1. Theraplay® – Level One Training
2. Team-Teach Training (12-hours Basic Certificate)
3. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) – Level 1 and 2
4. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Level 1-3
5. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with Children and Adolescents – Level 1 and 2
6. Inner Child Diploma
7. Bereavement and Grief Counselling
8. Bereavement Counselling
9. Various training by Carolyn Spring (Trauma work, especially with the most severe forms of dissociation, including DID)
10. Treating Addiction (Healing Trauma and Addiction) by Dr Gabor Mate
11. Comprehensive Course in Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) by Dr Dan Siegel
12. Treating Complex Trauma with IFS (I completed IFS-informed trauma training with Dr. Frank Anderson, an IFS specialist and lead trainer at the IFS Institute alongside founder Dr. Richard Schwartz, though this was not part of the formal IFS certification).
13. Certificate in Attachment-Focused EMDR by Dr Laurel Parnell 
14. The Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®
15. One-Year Training in Compassionate Inquiry by Dr Gabor Mate
16. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – Level 1
17. Certificate in Trauma-Informed Practice: Understanding PTSD, C-PTSD & Dissociation in the Therapy room
18. The Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST) – Parts Work with Dr Janina Fischer – Level 1
19. Addiction, The Brain and Recovery workshop
20. Certificate in Insomnia and Sleep Issues using CBT-I
21. Certificate in OCD using ERP

Trauma-Specialised Continued Professional Development

I attend the following as a way of ensuring my clinical practice continues to be trauma-informed, trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed, including doing my best to stay up-to-date with the most latest research, intervention and advancement in trauma and attachment:

• 1.5 hr Monthly CPTSD Interventions with Complex Trauma Institute: Practice group to practise trauma-specialised interventions
• 1.5 hr Monthly Trauma-specialised Peer Group supervision with Complex Trauma Institute: Peer Supervision where we use the Reflective Team Model
• Annual Trauma/Complex Trauma/Trauma and Attachment Conference
• 1.5 hr Monthly Individual Supervision with my supervisor who is a Traumatologist and EMDR Therapist. She has completed a Level 7 Diploma in Complex Trauma and PTSD
• IFS in Practice Consultation Group with Frank Anderson

• Adults
• Children
• Adolescents (Teenagers)
• Older adults
• Family
• Couple
• Group

Non-Pathologising Approach, yet respectful and inclusive of labels

I work with many experiences often described using terms like PTSD, CPTSD, ADHD, Autism, and other forms of neurodivergence and trauma. These labels can offer clarity and validation, and if they feel meaningful to you, I will use them in a way that supports your process.

At the same time, I take a non-pathologising approach where I don’t view your experiences as disorders or deficits, but as understandable responses to what you’ve been through. Language like ‘disorder’ can be limiting or stigmatising, and I prefer to work with the context in a humanistic way.

This is part of my trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive approach, where I focus on what’s happened to you, not what’s ‘wrong’ with you. Reactions like anxiety, shutdown, or masking are often survival strategies, shaped by your past. They are not problems to be fixed but instead they are ways your body and brain have learned to adapt.

Ultimately, you are the expert on your life. If a diagnosis or label feels helpful or validating, I will honour that. My role is to meet you where you are, and support healing in a way that respects both your autonomy and your reality.

My Therapeutic Approaches

I use an integrative approach tailored to each client’s unique needs, drawing from several evidence-based models. My core foundation is Humanistic, emphasising empathy, authenticity, and a strong therapeutic relationship.

I combine, where appropriate:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to help identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.

• Psychodynamic Therapy – to explore deeper emotions and past experiences influencing current challenges.

• Solution-Focused Therapy – to highlight strengths and empower clients to find their own solutions.

Creative Therapy is a key part of my work, especially with children and parents. This approach incorporates art and play therapy techniques based on psychodynamic principles, helping clients express feelings that are hard to put into words.

With families, I often draw on Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), a parent-child model focused on building secure attachment through emotional connection. It teaches parents emotional attunement and positive limit-setting skills, using principles of playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy, particularly helpful where trauma or disrupted attachments exist. You can find out more about DDP here.

Similarly, I use Theraplay®, an attachment-based play therapy that fosters connection through structured, playful interaction, strengthening the parent-child relationship and improving emotional and behavioural challenges. You can find out more about Theraplay here. 

These approaches align with values found in Peaceful Parenting, Mindful Parenting, and Attachment Parenting, focusing on empathy, respectful communication, and secure attachment. While the primary focus of Peaceful Parenting is on understanding and responding to children’s needs, the underlying principles also encourage parents to reflect on their own emotional experiences and responses. This self-awareness can enhance a parent’s ability to connect with their child and manage challenging situations more effectively.

As an EMDR therapist, I provide trauma-informed therapy to address PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. I also integrate mind-body techniques such as trauma-sensitive yoga and mindfulness to support nervous system regulation and overall wellbeing. Here is more information about EMDR and here is an excellent video about it.

My goal is to meet you where you are and support your journey towards healing, connection, and resilience through a compassionate, personalised approach.

• Specialist Trauma and Attachment Therapy Service (Chrysalis Associates, Sheffield)
• Adult Mental Health Services (in NHS)
• Children and Adolescents Mental Health Services in NHS  (CAMHS)
• Adult Physical Health (within NHS Psychological Services in Clinical Health Psychology Department)
• Family Therapy within CAMHS Specialist Team  (NHS)
• Counselling Private Practice (Lewis Psychology, Wolverhampton)
• My greatest experience in therapy includes, but not limited to:
  Abuse (emotional/physical/sexual), addiction, anger, anxiety & nervousness, attachment issues, bereavement, bullying, children & problem behaviour, Chronic pain, Complex Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), depression, developmental trauma,  eating disorder, family issues, LGBT issues, identity issues, minority issues,  personality disorder, phobia, physical health issues, Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD), relationship issues, self esteem issues, self harm, sexuality and trauma.

1. Family Therapy: I worked as an In-Training Psychologist as part of a Specialist Family Therapy team (CAMHS)
2. Schizophrenia-Focused Counselling
3. Systemic and Family Therapy
4. Couple Therapy
5. Introduction to Providing Supervision
6. Introduction to Training in Leadership
7. Introduction to Psychometric Training
8. Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Abuse
9. Mental Capacity Act
10. Sensory Integration issues within Trauma
11. Working with Children: Helping children cope with trauma
12. Working with Relational Trauma: Dealing with Disorganised Attachment
13. Attachment-based Yoga and Meditation for Trauma Recovery
14. Working with Traumatic Memories
15. Somatic Approaches to Healing Trauma – Level 1 & 2
16. Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems (IFS)
17. Trauma Therapy

Trauma and Attachment Specialist –  my doctoral research was on Complex Trauma/Developmental Trauma. I also worked for five years at Chrysalis Associates which is a private Trauma and Attachment Therapy Service that specialises in the assessment and treatment of developmental trauma and attachment difficulties. This private clinic also specialises in working with foster and adoptive families. Here, I worked with children and young people with trauma-attachment problems and their foster, adoptive or birth families. I offered parent-child/family therapy that was based on the principles of Theraplay® and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). Both of these  are Attachment-Focused Therapy models, where Theraplay® is an Attachment-Based Play Therapy.

Associate Psychologist for Cornerstone which is a Counselling and Therapy Centre; here my specialism was working with children, parents and families where I offered Attachment-based Family Therapy.

Associate Psychologist for The Sheffield Wellness Centre which is the venue I use as my main base. The centre offers a wide range of wellness services for the body, mind and soul such as yoga, mindfulness, massage and life coaching. Here, I offer psychological interventions in form of integrative therapy. My specialism is Trauma and Attachment work.

Associate Psychologist for Cornerstone which is a Counselling and Therapy Centre; here my specialism is working with children, parents and families where I offer Attachment-based Family Therapy.

Trustee and Lead Clinican for Mums In Need, a Charity Organisation supporting mothers and children who have escaped domestic abuse – particularly focusing on the aspect of domestic abuse which is often overlooked: Emotional Abuse. I no longer work here.

One of the authors for an International magazine, Conflict Manager. Here, I write articles which cover topics like trauma, abuse and peaceful parenting.

A member of the team of Povi(TM). Povi is an online platform that focuses on the development of children’s Emotional Intelligence (EQ) . My vision, like Povi’s mission, is to help parents cultivate wholesome, well-balanced, healthy and happy children. This include educating parents about how they can play an active role in facilitating their children with their EQ. I do this by writing articles for Povi(TM) which cover topics that focus on techniques for parents to help their children developing EQ, e.g. their empathy, insight, mentalisation and active listening skills.

• Previous Memberships:
• Graduate Membership within the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership within the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• In-training Membership of the Division of Counselling Psychology within the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

I am an Associate Member of the following BPS faculties:

• Faculty of Psychosis & Complex Mental Health (P&CMH)

• Faculty of Addictions

• Faculty for Perinatal Psychology

• Faculty for Children, Young People and their Families (CYPF)

These specialist faculties provide access to the latest research, clinical guidance, specialist training, and forums for knowledge exchange with leading professionals across each area. This allows me to stay up to date with developments in trauma-informed care, particularly when working with clients presenting with complex needs such as psychosis, perinatal trauma, addiction, or developmental trauma in children and young people.

In addition, I hold General Membership in the following BPS Divisions:

• Division of Neuropsychology (DoN)

• Division of Counselling Psychology (DCoP) – with Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC)

• Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP)

These memberships connect me with wider clinical communities, offer professional resources and practice guidelines, and ensure I remain aligned with national standards for ethical and effective practice in both counselling and clinical psychology.

I also hold Full Membership in:

• Developmental Psychology Section

• Crisis, Disaster & Trauma Psychology Section

These sections give me access to specialised insights and research related to developmental processes across the lifespan and psychological responses to trauma, crisis, and disasters. This enhances my ability to understand the long-term impact of early trauma, as well as to support clients facing acute distress or recovery from overwhelming experiences.

Altogether, these professional affiliations enrich the service I offer by ensuring my practice is informed by the most current and comprehensive knowledge available. They enable me to draw on a broad and integrated understanding of trauma, mental health, development, and neuropsychology, helping me to offer a therapeutic approach that is holistic, evidence-based, and highly attuned to each client’s unique context.

My passion for promoting the welfare of children and young people and my understanding of the importance of early intervention led to me to undertake my doctoral research in this area.  By integrating the latest research on developmental neuroscience, attachment and trauma my doctoral research explores how people who have had adverse experiences in their childhood manage their adult lives and relationships. The adverse experiences I had focused on in this study are complex trauma/developmental trauma in the form of early exposure to maltreatment including domestic violence, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

The purpose of the study was to gain an in-depth understanding of how these difficult early experiences may lead to a person having particular strengths and difficulties in their adult lives. In particular, I was interested in protective factors as I feel that this understanding may help professionals, who cannot always prevent childhood maltreatment, ensure that children at least have access to protective factors that can help them deal more effectively with traumatic experiences and go on to have fewer difficulties as a result.

It is a field of scientific research I am very passionate about and I intend to carry out further research in this area in the future. Working with Developmental Trauma/Complex PTSD, attachment issues, parenting difficulties, children, teenagers and families are areas I consider to be my specialism. Thus, I offer a variety of attachment-based and trauma-informed approaches as one of my main specialties.