THE CLEARING - Key Persons
Biography
Annette's academic background is in Philosophy. She began her studies with an Honours degree in Philosophy at the University of Durham, where she was particularly drawn to aesthetics & metaphysics.
She furthered her studies at Durham with a Masters degree in the Philosophy of Music. Whilst she loved this subject, Annette felt unfulfilled in academia & her heart drew her to work directly with people.
On graduation therefore, Annette commenced a course in teacher training. After spending some time in education however, she found that she was increasingly disillusioned with the emphasis on academic achievement over emotional wellbeing & became frustrated that she did not have more time to spend with the students who needed support.
It was at this point that she decided to train as a counsellor.
Annette went on to complete a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling at the Northern Guild for Psychotherapy. Her training placement was at a GP surgery, where she had the opportunity to support people to overcome a wide range of emotional health issues.
On qualification she was hired by the Guild as an Intern Therapist offering brief psychotherapy, using TA, CBT & creative techniques to help clients to get the most out of their time.
In 2015 she began working for the charity, Mind, across three diverse projects. Here she has worked as a Student Counsellor at a Further Education College, a Rapid Response Counsellor for a suicide prevention service & a Primary Care Counsellor.
This breadth of clinical experience has supported Annette in really honing her counselling skills, & was a key factor in our decision to invite her to join the team at The Clearing.
Annette is a qualified therapeutic counsellor. She is an incredibly creative person & she draws upon this creativity in her therapeutic work to support you in your healing process.
Biography
Rhian started her higher education by completing an Honours degree in Neuroscience at Edinburgh University. During her time there, Rhian undertook a few psychology modules & it was this academic introduction, alongside Summer work experience in social care, that pointed Rhian towards training in a caring profession. On graduation she enrolled on a postgraduate diploma in Psychology.
By the time this course had finished, Rhian had been in higher education for 8 years. She decided to take some time out to do some travelling in the hope that this would help her to decide upon her specialism. She taught English in Peru, drank Kava in Fiji, camped under the stars at Uluru & explored Ayurveda in India & when she finally got home - she still didn't know what route to take.
Rhian knew she wanted to be a psychotherapist & to run her own practice, she just didn't know how to get there. Many months of temping & a number of chance encounters later, Rhian stumbled across the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Teesside University & the rest is history.
During the doctorate programme, Rhian gained valuable experience in the public & charity sectors. She worked in both primary & secondary care NHS settings, developing skills in both brief & long term therapies.
Dr Rhian J Lewis is a counselling psychologist with over 10 years of clinical experience . As your personal counsellor, she will work alongside you to support you to achieve your goals. Rhian is approachable, warm, gentle in her manner & will always put your best interests at the centre of your therapy. She is someone to whom your well being genuinely matters & you'll know that, from the moment you first meet her.
Dr Rhian J Lewis is offering in person sessions from her clinic in rural County Durham. Just 25 minutes outside of Durham city centre, The Clearing, County Durham is nestled between rolling green fields and moorland. Make a self-care day of it & bookend your session with a walk along the Waskerley Way - an area of outstanding beauty & tranquility that is sure to ground & rejuvenate you.
Dr Rhian is available for face to face sessions Tuesday to Thursday.
Dr Rhian J Lewis is offering in person counselling from her clinic in rural County Durham.
Biography
Originally from New York City, Elizabeth began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from Stockton University in New Jersey. During her time there she was taught by Jungian Analyst, James Hollis, who inspired her to want to pursue a career in psychoanalysis. Dr Hollis' advice to Elizabeth at this time was to "Go & get some life experience", & so this is what she set out to do.
Elizabeth's psychoanalytical training began back in 1995 at the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis, before transferring to the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, where Elizabeth completed her Masters degree in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.
During her extensive training, Elizabeth obtained a vast amount of clinical experience across a number of sectors. Most notably, she worked in a psychiatric hospital for two years, where she offered individual psychotherapy to people affected by personality disorders, bipolar disorder & schizophrenia. During this time, Elizabeth developed a comprehensive understanding of these complex issues.
Following qualification, she worked as a Student Counsellor at Washington State University, before she & her family moved to the UK in 2002. When she arrived in the North East, Elizabeth started a lectureship at the University of Newcastle, which was followed by over 10 years experience of working as the Principal Therapist for a private fostering agency. In this role Elizabeth offered individual & family therapy to young people within the care system, as well as line management & training to a team of therapists across the region.
Elizabeth has undertaken 10 years of her own personal therapy & therefore has a deep insight into both herself as a practitioner & the process of depth psychotherapy itself.
Elizabeth is a UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist with over 15 years experience in the field. Over this time, she has worked with young people & adults, couples & families.
Elizabeth is not your stereotypical psychoanalyst. She is warm, friendly & down to Earth & we are sure that you'll feel comfortable as soon as you meet her. Elizabeth works integratively combining tools from the solution focused schools with depth therapy to shape her approach to suit you.
Biography
Born & bred in Newcastle, Jade knew from the start that she wanted a career that would help others. Originally she had planned to train as a dentist & she started her working life as a dental nurse with this vision in mind.
Through working closely with her patients & hearing their stories, Jade noticed that she had a real aptitude for giving emotional support & recalls that they would often comment on how calming & caring she was.
It was this realisation, alongside her own positive & transformative experiences of therapy, that inspired Jade to train as a psychotherapist.
Knowing first hand how therapy can free us from old wounds & toxic relationship patterns, Jade wanted to help others to break free & to get the most out of their lives.
In her counselling with individuals, Jade has developed expertise in anxiety, relationship issues and compulsive behaviours.
Jade is a warm & gentle person, who cares deeply about others. She will make helping you to find your way forward her priority.
Jade is an experienced psychotherapeutic counsellor who specialises in couples counselling and relationship coaching.
Biography
Born & raised in South Shields, Joanne commenced her working life back in 1991 at a clothing company. Joanne's conscientiousness & professionalism were soon recognised by the firm & she quickly achieved a management position, ultimately overseeing the efficient running of the payroll department.
In 2007 this successful career prematurely came to an end when Joanne's husband was involved in an industrial accident, which left him with severe & life changing injuries. At this point, Joanne decided to leave work in order to take care of him.
During this traumatic time Joanne was offered her own personal therapy to help her get through. She found the process to be so comforting & supportive that she was inspired to become a therapist herself.
Joanne embarked on her first counselling course in 2009. She went on to complete her Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills in 2012 & then her BA Honours Degree in Counselling at Teesside University in 2015.
In conjunction to these core qualifications, Joanne has undertaken a wide breadth of supplementary professional training in Child Psychology, CBT, ACT, EMDR, Mindfulness, Suicide Prevention & Trauma focused therapy. In April 2017, she qualified as a Clinical Supervisor, when she achieved her Diploma in Counselling Supervision.
Since qualifying as a counsellor, Joanne has gained a wealth of therapeutic experience across a number of settings, working with children (from the age of 4 upwards), adults & couples.
She's supported clients to overcome a wide range of emotional health issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem & relationship issues.
Joanne is a specialist bereavement counsellor for many years at her local hospice & was awarded a Diploma in Grief & Bereavement Counselling & silver membership with the International Alliance of Holistic Therapists.
Over the years Joanne has been our go to CBT therapist offering her clients structured therapeutic interventions to directly tackle the problems at hand & in 2023 she achieved her diploma in life coaching with distinction.
Joanne is a qualified counsellor registered with the BACP, who is experienced in working with children, young people, adults & couples. Joanne is trained in person centred therapy, mindfulness, CBT, EMDR & ACT. These tools are integrated to form an approach that is both pragmatically down to earth & creative.
Joanne is a friendly, calm & grounded person. Her wealth of experience, both as a therapist & a fellow human being, has offered her great insight into the struggles that we face in life. This in turn has helped Joanne to develop a deep empathy for others.
Biography
Sam knew from childhood that she wanted to be a therapist. Since as far back as she can remember, she's always been the one her friends have turned to in times of need & this has never changed.
Sam was therefore eager to pursue this career straight away & after completing her A levels, she headed to University to study applied psychology.
Whilst undertaking this course, she sought to gain more experience in the field & so spent two years volunteering at Safety Net Carlisle. This charity offers therapeutic support to children & young people who have been affected by sexual violence & abuse.
Sam worked closely with the counsellors there & was the front of house point of contact for the service users. As part of this work she also took part in specialist safeguarding training which gave her further insight into these complex & sensitive issues.
After graduating with a 2:1 honours degree, Sam returned home & commenced her counselling training with the Northern Guild.
Sam is a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor. She is an integrative practitioner who draws from TA, Gestalt, person-centered & the creative therapies to form a therapy that is tailored to suit your needs.
Sam is a very creative person & she will use this creativity to help you to access a deeper understanding of yourself & your situation; & to overcome any blocks that you may come up against.
Biography
Originally hailing from America, Sharon first began her career as an educator.
She took her original degree in English Education at Southern Connecticut State University & went on to complete a masters degree in Special Education.
Whilst working as a teacher, she gained specialist experience in supporting children & young people with mental health issues, learning difficulties & autism.
Sharon progressed in the field & rose to become a consulting special educator. In this role she advised her fellow teachers & helped to create & implement innovative educational programs aimed at reaching those who were struggling.
Outside of work Sharon has been an enthusiastic traveller, spending time exploring the cultures of Israel, New Zealand, & North & Central America.
In her twenties, she won a much sought after place on an anthropological expedition & spent six weeks exploring Costa Rica. This led her to take numerous other exploratory trips to Central America.
Although she had always had an interest in mental health, her first nudge towards retraining came in 2004, when she emigrated to the UK to be with her partner & shortly thereafter they started a family. The challenges she faced during these enormous life changes, led Sharon to start reflecting more deeply on her inner world & sense of identity.
Sharon continued her work in education & in 2007, whilst working as a specialist studies skills tutor, she embarked on the PGDip in Psychology at Northumbria University.
This sparked her interest & her fascination with the psyche alongside her own positive experiences of personal therapy led Sharon to ultimately embark on the diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling at the Northern Guild for psychotherapy.
Sharon joined The Clearing in early 2017 & since that time she has both developed her skill set & deepened her practice, having successfully supported clients to overcome a wide range of complex issues. She has also continued with her studies, ultimately achieving her Diploma in Psychotherapy with the Northern Guild in 2020 & accreditation with the UKCP in 2021.
Alongside her counselling work & ongoing studies, Sharon is an active writer. She's written a number of short plays that have been performed in Newcastle theatres & enjoys utilising her creativity in therapy through therapeutic storytelling, guided imagery & metaphor.