Who we are

Rowena Gomery MBACP [accred]. UKCP reg. Relate (Certified) Counsellor. FPC.

Rowena trained at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation London 1991-1993 Diploma in Advanced Psychodynamic Counselling and at The Portman Clinic London 1994-1996. Diploma in Forensic Psychotherapy. She is also a Relate Trained Couple Counsellor, a Supervisor and Group Facilitator for a Professional Counselling Training and for companies and organisations.

Rowena has 16 years experience working in both NHS and Private Practice settings.

As well as general counselling issues Rowena has particular experience in working with:

  • All relationship difficulties
  • Older people
  • Adoption
  • Infertility
  • Military Personnel past and present and their families
  • Mental Health Staff
  • Groups
  • Organisations.

 

Fiona Palmer Barnes BA, PGCE, AJA, Hon Fellow MBACP, UKCP reg.

Is an analytical psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She trained at Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) and with the Association for Jungian Analysts for whom she is now a training analyst.

She has worked in a variety of settings as a therapist over the last 25 years including private practice and voluntary agencies where she has also taught.

She has provided supervision and consultancy services to Social Services, Youth Counselling Services and within the NHS.

Her publications include “Complaints and Grievances in Psychotherapy” [1998] Routledge, co-editeding of “Values and Ethics in the practice of Psychotherapy and Counselling” in 2001, chapters for “The Ethical Attitude in Analytic Practice” Solomon and Twyman 2003 and an article in the Journal of Analytical Psychology.

Barbara Shore BSc, CQSW, MSc Family Therapy, UKCP reg.

Barbara is a systemic psychotherapist. She trained at The Family Institute in Cardiff and obtained an MSc in Family Therapy from the University of Wales in 1999.

She currently works as a Family Therapist for a voluntary organisation and in the NHS as well as in private practice. She is also a qualified Family Mediator.

She has taught short courses in Family Therapy to mediators and counsellors. She has worked with children and adults for over 30 years. Her previous experience includes social work with children and families. She has worked with separation and divorce, stepfamilies, adoption and fostering and the effects of physical and mental illness.

Sue Thorogood BA, CQSW, PG Dip, MBACP [accred].

Sue graduated from Wolverhampton University in 1999 with a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling.
She graduated with a BAHons and Certificate of Qualified Social work in 1987 and has worked for over 15 years as a social worker with children and families. Sue specialised as a therapist working with sexually abused children, adolescents and as part of a family therapy team. She was a coordinator of a womens counselling project in London.
Since qualifying as a therapist Sue has consolidated her experience of working with children,young people and adults by working for specialist services,independent school, a national institution and private care homes.
Sue has worked for Quay Clinic for several years now with most issues with adults, adolescents and children. More recently Sue qualified with the British EMDR Institute London,in the highly successful technique of Eye Movement Decensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) This is a recommended technique by NICE for the issues of trauma, phobias and anxiety.

Dr Mark Aveline MD, FRCPsych, Hon Fellow MBACP, Emeritus Consultant Psychotherapist and Psychiatrist.

Dr Mark Aveline was consultant psychotherapist and Chair of the Nottingham Psychotherapy Unit where he developed an innovative service for Psychological Therapies. The service delivered and evaluated long-term, medium term and short term interventions with patients and advised government on treatment.

In 2004 he became Honorary Professor of Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Leicester.

Marian Gillett M.Ed, Cert C.C. (Relate) M.A. Psychotherapy, Dip. Psychotherapy, UKCP reg.

Marian is an Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist.

She trained at Bath Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy and has a M.A. from the University of Middlesex. She works with clients in both long term psychotherapy, short term focused counselling and with couples.

She trained in couple counselling with Relate and has worked for Relate and privately for the last eight years. Her particular interests include relationships, sexual issues, loss and bereavement and work/life balance.

She has a background in education and has facilitated training for Relate and for local colleges. She is currently the seminar tutor on the Foundation in Counselling course.

Ian Kirkpatrick BSc (Hons) Psychology,Advanced Dip. Psychotherapy (Psychodrama) BPA, UKCP [accred], MInstLM, LCGI.

Ian trained with the Oxford Psychodrama Group and is qualified to practice as a psychotherapist with groups and individuals. His training is humanistic and integrative and embraces psychoanalytic, psychodynamic and cognitive perspectives.

Ian co-ordinated the Herefordshire MIND Counselling and Psychotherapy Service for seven years. The BACP Accredited service provided low-cost professional counseling and psychotherapy for people with low income and financial disadvantage. He was involved in its inception and growth. The service with its dedicated team provided a much needed resource within the community on a large scale. Ian was also responsible for conducting clinical assessments and management of the clinical practice.

Ian has also worked as a therapist with long-term unemployed people at Job Centres throughout the counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. He was involved in the government pilot scheme which successfully provided psychological support within this area of need.

Dr Michael Pokorny M.B, Ch.B, D.P.m, E.C.P, M.A.E, F.R.C.Psych, Fellow UK Council for Psychotherapy. Consultant Psychiatrist.


Michael is a Fellow of the Royal Collage of Psychiatrists and holds the Diploma in Psychological Medicine. He is a Fellow of UKCP and holds the the European Certificate in Psychotherapy.  Michael was Chair of the working party which lead to the foundation of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. He is a consultant psychiatrist working in adult psychiatry, as well as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist in private practice.  His special interests are working with couples and Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy [ISTDP] with individuals. Michael edited the Handbook of Psychotherapy.