BCPC - Key Persons
Alice is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist and a graduate of BCPC. She has worked in private practice, the NHS, and for the Trauma Foundation South West. Her approach is integrative, humanistic, and intersubjective based on her initial training at BCPC. Since qualifying she has pursued her interest in body psychotherapy. She focuses particularly on the relational process in the therapeutic encounter. Her background is in fine art and she continues to make art work alongside her psychotherapy work.
Amanda is a trainer and BACP accredited counsellor with a private practice in Bath. Prior to setting up her practice, she worked at Cotswold Counselling and as a befriender at the Lullaby Trust. She has a special interest in working with loss and pre/post-natal issues. She trained at BCPC and has run the BCPC Referral Service.
Bev is a BCPC trained UKCP psychotherapist and a CTSD certified supervisor. Bev has an established private practice in Wiltshire. Since qualifying Bev has pursued her interest in Internal Family Systems with further training and she finds this approach to be both fascinating and powerful in her work. Her background is in teaching and the creative arts.
Job Titles:
- Course Leader for Counselling
Caroline is a BACP accredited counsellor with a Masters in Science in counselling and supervision as well as a trained social worker, qualified mediator and critical incident debriefer. She has worked in the voluntary/charity sector and the NHS, as a counsellor, supervisor and a manager of counselling services
She also has experience of working with BACP on the Professional Conduct Committee and currently as a reviewer of resources provided on the BACP learning centre. She is interested in maintaining professional standards and good practice as well as keeping the relationship at the heart of counselling.
Cheryl is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and supervisor working with individuals, couples and young people in private practice in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Her interest is in the integration of relational and existential approaches.
Job Titles:
- UKCP Registered Supervisor
Chloe is a UKCP registered supervisor and psychotherapist working in Bradford-on-Avon. She worked as a psychotherapist with asylum seekers for 11 years, and has researched the impact of collective trauma on subsequent generations. She has an ongoing interest in the integration of humanistic theory with relational psychoanalysis.
David Presswell is an experienced executive coach of individuals and teams, working up to and including board level across a range of sectors. He is a Partner at Aretai LLP and was for several years a director and Head of Global Coaching at YSC, a business psychology consultancy working with half the FTSE 100. His previous career was as a director and producer of factual television in the UK and US. He has an MA in English Literature from the University of Oxford, is author of a number of published works on Systemic Constellations, and is presently training in Counselling at The Psychosynthesis and Education Trust. He lives with his family in Bath.
Eleni is a BCPC trained, BACP accredited counsellor with a Post-Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. She has a private practice in Bristol working with adults and young people and experience as a counsellor in agency settings. Eleni has a particular interest in intersectionality and identity. She has previously tutored on the BCPC course ‘Listening Skills in a Diverse World'.
Frankie is an experienced UKCP registered psychotherapist and CTSD supervisor, with a background in teaching and training. Initially a secondary school teacher, she later worked for the Open University, training participants to organise and run various interest groups in the community, such as ageing, health and welfare, etc. and ran groups herself in Leyhill Open Prison. She went on to become a lecturer at the University of Wales, Caerleon alongside developing her private practice in Bristol which included further training in EMDR, and many years in a residential setting working with people with severe emotional difficulties.
Frankie's long experience as a psychotherapist and involvement in the community with people from different backgrounds and with varying needs enables her to bring a useful and balanced perspective to the work of the Board.
Gill Theodoreson - Gill is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist, Facilitator and Trainer. She qualified with a MA and Diploma in Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy from BCPC/Middlesex University in 2008. Since then she has worked in private practice working with individuals and couples, as a Staff Counsellor at Bristol University and as a Therapist and Course Facilitator at the cancer charity, Penny Brohn UK. Gill is experienced in working with people living with life threatening illness.
Jane Purkiss graduated from BCPC in 1995 and completed her Post Qualifying MA in 2006. She was a staff member for many years, teaching on all levels of the MA Psychotherapy programme and worked as a psychotherapist and supervisor alongside her teaching. She was Head of Training at BCPC from 2007 until 2011 and then joined the Centre for Supervision Training and Development (CSTD) as a supervisor and tutor. Jane was awarded Emeritus membership in 2012.
Jayne is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and supervisor working in private practice in Bristol. Her approach mainly developed out of an integration of intersubjective system theory, dialogical and body approaches. She has a broad interest in trauma, complex/ relational trauma, and the various impacts that these experiences have on us as human beings.
Jen is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and a graduate of BCPC. She has an established private practice working with individuals in Stroud, Gloucestershire as well as a small practice in Bristol. Jen's work integrates transpersonal and body-centred approaches informed primarily by her research in the field of Pre and Perinatal Psychology. Prior to her training her background was in Fine Art.
Job Titles:
- UKCP Registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Jill is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor working part time in private practice with Adults, Children and Young People in Chippenham, having graduated from BCPC in 2021. Before training as a counsellor, Jill studied Art History at Nottingham University and worked in art galleries and interior design before moving on to work as a magazine journalist before switching direction to train as a counsellor.
In her younger years Jill travelled widely, living abroad in both France and China, and she has a longstanding interest in myth, cosmology, ecology and comparative spiritual perspectives. Jill also paints, makes textile art and has a small home-based picture-framing business. Jill is now training to become a Jungian Analyst with the Independent Group of Analytical Psychologists and particularly enjoys working creatively and relationally with clients of all ages.
Jimmy is a NCPS accredited therapist trained in person centred psychotherapy and counselling. Jimmy works for two charities, Focus Counselling in Bath and Trauma Foundation South West in Bristol, and has a Bristol-based private practice. Jimmy draws on trauma and attachment theory and is particularly attuned to aesthetic qualities of how we relate in therapy. His background is in mental health, childcare and theatre, continuing to direct theatre when he can.
John is a retired secondary school leader and has lived with his family in Wiltshire since 1997. He has extensive management and leadership experience, with particular interests in data, logistics and strategic development. He has worked closely with school governors to ensure decision making reflects the vision of an organisation guided by the Nolan principles of public life. John has always been a passionate advocate for the most disadvantaged students working to ensure they access the best possible education and all other opportunities available. From his work in school and through conversations with his wife, who works as a school counsellor, John has seen the positive impact of counselling services on the mental health, well-being and personal development of young people.
John is the Commercial Manager of Newgate Construction Ltd, a Bristol based building contractor, & was responsible for the successful refurbishment of the BCPC Trim Bridge offices.
He has always lived in the Bath area, starting his career in Quantity Surveying private practice & moving on to local companies of M P Kent Homes, Ernest Ireland Construction Ltd, RSW PLC & has been the Commercial Director for Newgate since 2000, where his role covers all office and site administration, surveying disciplines, project controls, and contractual responsibilities.
John is a UKCP registered psychotherapist, counsellor, couple counsellor, trainer and supervisor working in private practice in Chalford, near Stroud. His approach is based on an integration of Intersubjectivity Systems Theory, Gestalt and contemplative approaches. He is also a member of the faculty of Karuna Training in Europe.
Jon Hastings graduated from BCPC as a psychotherapist in 1995, having previously worked as a counsellor. He was on the staff team for over 10 years tutoring and supervising students on the BCPC psychotherapy training. He served on the Training Committee and was Chair of the Standards & Ethics Committee for many years. He also ran counselling services for inner city GP practices in Bristol, and developed a series of therapeutic workshops for men. He retired as a psychotherapist in 2022 after 36 years in private practice, and began developing an Art Practice, having attended Access and HND courses in Fine Art. Jon was awarded BCPC Emeritus membership in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Founder of Trauma Foundation South West
Judy Ryde is a co-founder of BCPC and founder of Trauma Foundation South West, where she is on the board of trustees. She a Director of the Centre for Supervision Training and Development (CSTD Bath) and previously worked as a psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. She has completed doctoral research into ‘whiteness' within psychotherapy and psychotherapy organisations at the University of Bath and her book Being White in the Helping Professions was published in 2009. Her book White Awareness Unmasked: How to be part of the solution was published in April 2019. She is now retired and devotes her time to writing fiction.
Julie is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist with an MA in Transpersonal Psychotherapy and is in private practice as a psychotherapist and supervisor. Her previous roles include senior lecturer and Director of Professional & Academic Studies at a London psychotherapy training organisation. She has a special interest in Research Ethics and Research Methodology.
Julie has experience in many different areas of psychotherapy teaching and assessment, course validation and accreditation processes, and is the current Chair of the UKCP Education Training Practitioner Committee.
Juliette joined BCPC in February 2019 upon returning to the UK after 10 years in Australia. She previously worked as Clinic Coordinator at a specialists' practice supporting a team of physicians & psychologists and prior to that worked in the property industry.
Justine is a UKCP registered psychotherapist, counsellor and trainer working with individuals and couples in private practice in Frome, and in Bristol where she is an active member of a charity providing low-cost long term therapy. She has a background in working with children and young people, and has a doctorate in English Literature exploring emerging early twentieth-century understandings of self.
Karen joined BCPC as the Finance Manager in February 2015 and has overall responsibility for the finance function at BCPC. She also holds the post of Company Secretary. She is AAT qualified with nearly 25 years experience in the UK charity sector. Before moving to BCPC she was employed for 22 years, in a similar role, by Women's Aid Federation of England, a national domestic violence charity. She also looks after the finances, in a voluntary capacity for two small "not for profit" groups.
Job Titles:
- Course Leader for Psychotherapy & Tutor MA Module 4
Kate is Course Leader for the BCPC Psychotherapy Diploma, a UKCP registered psychotherapist, BCPC qualified counsellor, and a CTSD certified supervisor working in private practice in Bath. She has a special interest in working with groups, and previously worked as Group Facilitator for Wessex Counselling Services Foundation and Diploma training in Frome. She is also particularly interested in long term therapeutic work and the co-created processes and narratives that emerge within relationship over time.
Katrina is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist and HCPC registered Dramatherapist working with adults, couples and family groups in private practice in Bath. She has worked in a variety of settings including: The Roehampton Priory, St George's Hospital and Cotswold House Eating Disorder Units, and a Medium Secure Prison. Katrina has a particular interest in Eating Disorders. Prior to her initial Dramatherapy training, Katrina worked as a professional actress.
Kelvin Hall graduated from BCPC in 1992 and completed his Post Qualifying MA in 2012. He retired in 2021 after 37 years of practice. He had a previous career in community arts and education and was a professional oral storyteller for many years, appearing in schools, festivals and arts venues, exploring the relevance of story to therapy in many courses and written pieces. He integrated equine-assisted and eco-therapy approaches into his practice and has written numerous articles exploring the implications of this. Kelvin designed and delivered The Ecological Self, for a module on the BCPC MA Psychotherapy programme and contributed to several other training/CPD programmes on this subject. He was a BCPC Trustee from 2006-2010, Chair of Trustees 2009-2010 and Chair of the Training Committee 2007-2013. He was awarded Emeritus status in 2013.
Lydia joined BCPC as Administrator in January 2023. She previously worked in training and administrative roles at University of Bath.
Martin is an architect and lecturer who for many years led the degree programme in architecture at the University of Bath having previously established his own practice. In 2012 he undertook a Masters degree in Jungian and Post Jungian Studies at the University of Essex which began a long held hope of linking a sense of place (architecture) with a sense of self (psychology).
He is presently in the writing up phase of a PhD at the University of Bangor, entitled A Biography of the Tower - a study of Carl Jung's Bollingen retreat on Lake Zurich. He hopes that this will become a book. Over the years he has taken an interest in BCPC as a training organisation, and holds a sense of the importance of the ‘therapeutic encounter' in education, as well as a compassion for the student ‘voice'.
Professor Peter Hawkins Ph.D. founded BCPC in 1984, recruiting Alix Pirani to co-lead the first courses with him. He led the organisation for the first eight years both as chairman of BCPC until it became a registered charity, and as a Director of studies. He continued as Chair of the Training Committee for several years after he finished teaching, and has supported the trustees and the future directors when needed. He was a founder member of UKCP and the first chair of the Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy section. He is the author of many best selling books on Psychotherapy, Supervision, Systemic Coaching and Team Coaching and Leadership and still teaches in many countries around the world, as well as chairing Renewal Associates.
Raje is a UKCP registered integrative psychotherapist/BACP accredited counsellor. She is also a supervisor and trainer. Raje is currently working in a University Counselling service and has a small private practice in Stroud. She has worked in various NHS settings, and was Clinical Lead for Oasis Talk in Bristol. She has a background in book publishing and has worked as a freelance writer/editor.
Rhianwen is Director of BCPC and Middlesex University Link. She holds a BCPC Diploma in Counselling, a Post-Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People and is a UKCP registered and BACP accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor. She is also a supervisor. Rhianwen has a small private practice working with teenagers and adults in Wiltshire. She has a background in business and management in the broadcasting industry.
Shani is a UKCP registered Psychotherapist and a BCPC graduate. She works in private practice in Bath. Shani is especially interested in exploring the integration of early relational experiences with social, cultural and ecological contexts. She also has a growing interest in Ecopsychology and the interconnectedness of all life.
Sue Wright works privately as a psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer and has a particular specialism in working with the survivors of complex trauma. Her trainings in Integrative Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic work, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Dance Movement Therapy and the Feldenkrais Method all inform her work. She draws on these trainings as well as Relational Psychotherapy, contemporary neuroscience and Attachment Theory in order to integrate mind, body and emotions and facilitate healing and change.
Tree Staunton is a UKCP Honorary Fellow, and has been a Registered Body Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer for over 30 years. She was MA Program Leader and Director of Studies at BCPC from 2011 and overall Director of the charity from 2014 - 2023. Tree represented BCPC in UKCP in addition to serving as Chair of the Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College for 5 years. She is a published author of various academic papers, contributing articles and editorships including Body Psychotherapy (ed, Routledge, 2002) and Being a Therapist in a Time of Climate Breakdown (co-eds Anderson, Staunton, O'Gorman and Hickman, Routledge 2024). She was awarded Emeritus membership after stepping down as Director and continues to teach and supervise psychotherapists-in-training.
Vienna works as a psychotherapist and supervisor. She previously worked as a psychotherapist in the NHS alongside which she has maintained a small private practice and some teaching. She supervises counsellors and psychotherapists and other professionals in specialist sexual violence services. Training originally as a Gestalt Psychotherapist her particular interest in Trauma (especially Inter-Generational) and Ecopsychotherapy have been extended and integrated through CPD, additional trainings and a personal practice of Land Art. Vienna has an ecological, creative and relational approach to practice; facilitating awareness of context, contact, interconnectedness and regeneration.