Hello, I’m Pam. I am a counsellor, artist and poet. For me, poetry, art, and the therapeutic process are all ways of exploring and celebrating the long, slow journey towards human flourishing. 

Counsellor

Counselling is a healing journey and there are many who, over a short or longer period of time, have found that it has helped them to live their lives more richly and with much greater joy, courage and creativity. I was originally an English and Drama teacher, and later a lay Chaplain at a large boarding and day school, so my work has been in pastoral settings for many years, helping both young people and adults to live more authentically and vibrantly. A number of years ago, I chose to retrain as a counsellor. I now work part-time in private practice. I also lead retreats, deliver workshops and training, and am a supervisor for a pregnancy advisory centre.

Artist

As a textile artist and illustrator, I always have a sketchbook to hand and a tiny field box of watercolours. If I am travelling, I rarely take a camera. I enjoy the way this makes me stop and look. When I take time to sketch and paint, I remember what I have seen, and settle to being quietly absorbed. Often my poems seem to grow out of those moments of noticing details, colours and patterns. In more recent years and having inherited my mother's textile archive, I began to work by bonding multiple layers of fabrics and other materials together. I often work to commissions. 

Poet

Sometimes the only way I can say what I mean or express what I think or feel about life, death, love, beauty or loss is through a poem. For many years, my poems gathered dust. I liked them but was not sure anyone else would. Gradually, I shared them with others, joined a poetry workshop group, and started to dare public readings. I have published a first collection. As expressed in one of my poems, "silence is a sad way home", so I now also dare to share what I have to say with you here. 

If you would like to work with me, please do get in touch.  Email:  pam@counsellingspaces.co.uk | Mobile: 07969 482087.