Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Human Development. MA. (Humanities). BA. (Social Sciences). C.Q.S.W. Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (1982/3) London. Diploma in Social Work. Dip. Psychology. Dip. Psychotherapy. Cert in Child Care. ASW Approved Social Worker - Mental Health Act 1983. Certificate in Management Studies. M.S.F.T.R. - CCC Registered U.K. plus Certificates and Diploma's in the following Rogerian Therapy, Behavior Therapy, Hypnosis, Systemic Family Therapy, Human sexuality, Gender issues, Journaling, Management Studies, Client Centered Therapy, Gestalt, Systemic Family Therapy, plus individual and group psychotherapy plus related courses covering various models of therapy held in London England and other Countries.
I commenced my career within the 'caring profession' in the U.K. from 1972 through to 1991 initially in 'Child Care’ assessment centers, then after gaining a Diploma and Certificate of Qualification in Social Work I transferred to a local authority Children and Families Division taking up the position as a Children and Families and Child Protection social worker. I later took up the post as Team Manager within child protection teams. My experience of Child protection was both within an area office and a hospital setting.
My medical related experience commenced after I undertook Mental Health specialist training, this consisted of the extensive study and understanding of mental health psychiatric conditions and psychosis, a pre-requisite for the task of an Independent Approved Social Worker under the then Mental Health Act 1983. This entailed the responsible of carrying out emergency Mental Heath Assessments in the community. I later integrated these two important areas of social work, when I took up the post of a Child Protection Team Manager within a local area social work office and then later within a Hospital setting under the auspices of Inner London Social Service Departments. In these settings I have also undertook work with the Mantally ill, Mental Health, Child Protection, the Elderly, People with Disabilities and Aids HIV.
As a Child protection Team manager I worked extensively in the High Court of London dealing with Wardship cases mostly relating to Child protection issues and have also undertaken court reports as an Adoption Reporting Officer. Earlier in my social work career, whilst training within a probation office I collated and wrote social and court reports for a number of criminal cases at the central Criminal Court London.
In respect of my therapeutic training and input which commenced in the early 1970’s this was the early part of my child care career. I jointly participated in Family Therapy and group work along side Psychiatrists from the Tavistock Institute London, where I also attended a number of therapy related courses. I later undertook courses held at the London Borough's Training Unit and other college’s which looked at and explained other various models of therapeutic intervention and also undertook a BTEC Certificate in Management Studies course at Bromley College.
I have throughout and since that time undertaken training and gained Certificates and Diploma's in Psychology, Law, Supervision, Rogerian, Gestalt, RET, Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Brief Therapy, Journaling, Hypnosis, Mental health and other psychotherapeutic and Cognitive Behavioral approaches, mostly over a twenty year period until I left the U.K. for South East Asia in 1990.
Further on leaving Social Work in 1990 I have been fortunate enough to carry on my practice, education, related reading and professional studies. Apart from my social work qualifications gained at Kingston University London and initial degree studies through the Open University. I have undertaken and completed a Masters (MA) Degree in Human Development and a Doctorate PhD degree in Humanities and gained a further Diploma in Psychotherapy, Diversity and other related Gender Studies.
Also since living in South East Asia I have been fortunate enough to continue my practice and have traveled extensively throughout Thailand, Cambodia Vietnam, the Philippines and other areas of Asia. I also a number of years ago set-up developed and managed a hospital based Sex Reassignment clinic in S E Asia, where I was continually involved with providing information and the support of Transsexual pre and post op 'Sex Reassignment Surgery' clients/patients.
As a therapist I feel that I display empathy, warmth and am a relatively down to earth individual who is able to put people at ease. I endeavor to empower and help people feel comfortable when writing, talking about or discussing their problems.
Although many of the therapeutic schools of thought cover 'common' ground they are also very different in approach. What has developed within my practice, especially in relation to e-therapy is an 'eclectic' approach in that it enables me to integrate the main proponents and key features of the various approaches that meet the circumstances and needs of each individual client. There by, enabling me to work with clients on three specific levels of functioning namely, feeling, thinking and behavior. In short, as some therapeutic approaches are not wholly suitable to e-therapy by taking an 'eclectic' approach I am able to draw upon theoretical constructs which are most beneficial to an individual clients needs.
