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“I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through the therapy is the strongest thing we’ll ever do.”
Brene Brown

About Me

Welcome to Waves to Willows, I’m Deb, a BACP registered integrative counsellor, working in charities, schools and private practice with children, young people and adults.

Alongside my private practice as an adult counsellor, I currently work as a school counsellor and as a recovery therapist within a trauma-informed charity for children and families affected by domestic abuse.

I also draw on my passion for the outdoors and experience as a forest school leader to facilitate therapeutic wellbeing sessions for individuals, groups of children and families.

After years of experience working in a range of educational settings, I now offer a bespoke mentoring and counselling service to teachers and educational leaders. This takes place in person in Newcastle and online across the UK.

I have extensive experience working with both diagnosed and self-identifying neurodivergent young people, adults and their families.

I value and celebrate individual differences while exploring any difficulties or challenges clients may be facing. I always aim to create a safe space where you or your child can come as you are, without needing to mask, worry about judgement or have everything figured out.

“If you want an explanation for your present, look at your past”
Buddha

My Background

I spent over 25 years in education, as a Teacher, SENCo, Art and Early Years Lead, specialising in supporting children with additional needs. Building trusting and non-judgemental relationships with young people and their families was central to this work and remains vital to my therapeutic practice today.

Living and teaching internationally also gave me invaluable experience of connecting empathetically with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

After retraining, I took this experience to my counselling practice supporting young people in schools and their communities with issues such as exam anxiety, low mood, grief, issues around sexuality and gender identity, low self-esteem and self-harm.

As an experienced adult counsellor, I work both in private practice and for charities, focusing on a range of issues, including trauma recovery, visible difference, depression, fertility issues, substance misuse and loss.

Having spent so many years in education I understand workplace pressure and have supported many clients experiencing the challenges of balancing demanding careers with personal well-being in teaching, business and medicine.

Testimonials

For confidentiality, and for ethical reasons, I don’t publish testimonials from clients.

Deb is a compassionate and empathic practitioner who has dedicated the majority of her career to supporting children and families. She has a deep understanding of the challenges that come with adverse childhood experiences, disrupted attachments and early experiences of trauma. Deb’s warmth and her friendly nature ensure that everyone feels welcome and included. I have learned a lot from working in partnership with Deb. She remains one of the most inspiring colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with.

Ellie Roberts
Educational Psychologist

Deb’s extensive background in education and therapeutic support of both children, families, and adults enables her to offer tailored support to a range of clients navigating life’s challenges in a calm, welcoming and accepting environment.

Sarah Shuib – In The Moment Counselling
Counsellor, MBACP

Deb is a warm, nurturing, encouraging practitioner with extensive skill and experience supporting adults, children and young people. Her friendly approachable nature, helps people feel safe, understood and supported to grow and make positive change.

Megan Primrose
Counsellor, MBACP Accred

Deb has a wealth of experience, not just in counselling, but in years of therapeutically supporting young people and their families, holding them safely with compassion, navigating difficult journeys and transitions with skill and care.

Helen Gifford
Counsellor, MBACP

Deb has a huge amount of experience as a teacher of SEND children. She has incredible understanding and empathy, and this is now hugely beneficial in her counselling role. Deb is very approachable and an effective communicator with both children, parents and professional colleagues. Her impact on the children she works with is incredibly positive.

Sam Robson
Headteacher

I’ve known Deb for more than 25 years—as a teacher, colleague and counsellor. Her dedication to making the world a better place is evident from the moment you meet her. She brings enormous warmth, empathy and respect to her work, alongside a high level of knowledge and professionalism. Her passion for acceptance and inclusivity enables her to meet clients exactly where they are. Her kindness, and ability to truly listen and understand, allow her to build trusting relationships quickly. Working with Deb is a privilege, and I feel very lucky to know her. I can’t recommend her work highly enough.

Sue Davison
Specialist Teacher