Our People
Dr Jane Woodend MSc; Dip Psych Couns;
Registered Member MBACP (Accred)
Following her earlier career as an Occupational Therapist and NHS Manager, Jane qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor with the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) in 2000 and then completed a post-graduate training in 2002. She has been in practice since then and worked with a wide variety of presenting problems in individuals and couples. Jane has an MSc in Applied Psychology (Learning Disabilities) and completed her PhD in 2014, where her research into endings in psychodynamic counselling broke new ground in terms of both psycho-social methodology and findings. Jane also has a certificate in psychodynamic supervision and has completed further training in time-limited counselling, working with couples and using cognitive behavioural approaches.
Jane has previously held posts within a county-wide counselling service as Service Manager, Head of Training and also, in conjunction with the University of the West of England (UWE), was Programme Manager for the country’s first Foundation Degree in Psychodynamic Counselling. She has published a chapter on psycho-social research methodology in 'Further Researching Beneath the Surface (vol 2)' (2018) Ed. Anne-Marie Cummins and Nigel Williams; Routledge: London. Jane has been a CharityTrustee of the Severnside Initiative for Psychotherapy (SIP) in Bristol and Us in a Bus, an organisation providing intensive interaction for people with profound learning disabilities or challenging behaviours.
Jane has a particular clinical interest in issues relating to bereavement, loss, learning and physical disability.
Jane is registered with and accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Marianne Pawloff MSc; Dip Psych Couns; Dip Psych Sup;
Registered Member MBACP (Accred)
Following her earlier career as a Social Worker, Marianne qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor with the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) in 1997 and then completed a post-graduate training in 1999. She has been in practice since then, working with a wide variety of presenting problems in individuals, couples and families. She completed the certificate in analytic group work in 1999 and has achieved both certificate and diploma level awards (WPF) in clinical supervision. Marianne is registered with the British Association of Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Supervision (BAPPS). She has completed further training in time-limited counselling, working with couples and families, and using cognitive behavioural approaches. Marianne brings 35 years meditation experience to the Mindfulness sessions at Five Valleys Counselling Practice.
Marianne has previously held posts within a county-wide counselling service as a Clinical Manager, Head of a Child and Family Service, Course Manager and Clinical Supervisor.
Marianne has a particular clinical interest in issues relating to sexual diversity and gender identity.
Marianne is registered with and accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Frances Kerr Dip Psych Couns;
Registered Member MBACP
Frances qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor in 2010 followed by a post-graduate training from 2010 - 2011. She has trained in working with children and families and completed additional training in time limited and couples counselling. During the past nine years Frances has worked with people with a wide variety of presenting problems and with families in a Child and Family Service.
Frances has a particular clinical interest in issues relating to bereavement, loss and family dynamics.
Frances is registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Anne Griffiths BA; Dip Psych Couns;
Registered Member MBACP (Accred)
Anne qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor in 2011, with a Diploma from the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) allied to a Foundation Degree from the University of the West of England (UWE). She has completed further training in working with couples, time-limited psychodynamic work, and using Cognitive-Behavioural Therapeutic (CBT) approaches within a psychodynamic framework.
Having a background in physiology, and having worked within both hospital and hospice settings, Anne has a particular clinical interest in how physical and psychological states are linked, in bereavement, and in identity.
Anne is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and has been an Accredited Member since 2013.
Amanda Golley Dip Psych Couns
Registered Member MBACP
Having come from a long background in client services, Amanda has always been interested in people and the dynamics of relationships. She pursued this further by gaining academic and vocational experience in psychodynamic counselling. This culminated in her achieving a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling with the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF). She then followed this with an Associate Year in Psychodynamic Counselling during which she completed additional training in time limited and couples counselling. She has a particular clinical interest in the dynamics of attachment and issues relating to self-harm.
Amanda is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is working towards accreditation.
Kate Smith MA; Dip Psychotherapy
Registered Member MBACP and HCPC
Kate qualified as a psychotherapist in 2010 with an MA in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy from the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE). She has worked with people of all ages and abilities as a therapist and trainer; offering optional techniques from art, drama, movement and sand tray therapy, as exploratory tools to complement ‘talking therapy’. Since 2015, Kate has specialised in work with mums and babies (perinatal psychotherapy); helping mothers experiencing difficulties such as depression or anxiety in pregnancy, after birth or in their child’s infancy. She also has a clinical interest in trauma and cross-cultural issues in therapy; having worked since 2014 as part of the Therapy Team at Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS).
Kate is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and a registered Arts Psychotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Annie Browne PG Cert Couns Relate Accred
Registered Member UKCP
Annie’s initial training was in care and education, first working as a teacher, then manager with people with learning difficulties, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and people with mental health needs. Annie’s passion has always been around working systemically within organisations and providing systemic supervision to health and social care professionals. This led her to begin training in systemic counselling and psychotherapy and she gained her post graduate certificate in systemic counselling in 2015. Annie became a Relate accredited counsellor in 2016, specialising in working with couples and families. In addition to her work at Five Valleys Counselling Practice, Annie is also a Clinical Associate at the Family Institute in Wales and is working towards an MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy.
Annie is a member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Alison Harris BA; Dip Psych Couns
Registered Member MBACP
Alison is a Psychodynamic counsellor and registered member of BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists). She has trained and worked with a county-wide counselling service gaining a diploma from the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF).
Alison has extensive experience working with clients with a wide variety of presenting problems in both time-limited and long term work. She has undertaken additional training and worked with a National Gambling Addiction charity. Alison has a particular clinical interest and experience working with addictions and issues related to adoption and fostering.
Dr Donna West NRCPD ASLI VLP
Donna holds an Advanced Diploma in Translation and Interpreting. She is registered with the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) and works as a freelance interpreter. Over the past 22 years, she has worked as a Teacher of Deaf Children, a Research Associate and Lecturer in Deaf Studies and in Narrative Inquiry, and a Communication Support Worker in a variety of educational and community settings. In 2009 she gained her PhD in Deaf Studies and Education, exploring the narratives of deaf-hearing family life. Donna is a member of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) and of Visual Language Professionals (VLP). Donna’s role is Practice BSL-English Interpreter for clients who are deaf.
Dr Jane Woodend MSc; Dip Psych Couns;
Registered Member MBACP (Accred)
Following her earlier career as an Occupational Therapist and NHS Manager, Jane qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor with the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) in 2000 and then completed a post-graduate training in 2002. She has been in practice since then and worked with a wide variety of presenting problems in individuals and couples. Jane has an MSc in Applied Psychology (Learning Disabilities) and completed her PhD in 2014, where her research into endings in psychodynamic counselling broke new ground in terms of both psycho-social methodology and findings. Jane also has a certificate in psychodynamic supervision and has completed further training in time-limited counselling, working with couples and using cognitive behavioural approaches.
Jane has previously held posts within a county-wide counselling service as Service Manager, Head of Training and also, in conjunction with the University of the West of England (UWE), was Programme Manager for the country’s first Foundation Degree in Psychodynamic Counselling. She has published a chapter on psycho-social research methodology in 'Further Researching Beneath the Surface (vol 2)' (2018) Ed. Anne-Marie Cummins and Nigel Williams; Routledge: London. Jane has been a CharityTrustee of the Severnside Initiative for Psychotherapy (SIP) in Bristol and Us in a Bus, an organisation providing intensive interaction for people with profound learning disabilities or challenging behaviours.
Jane has a particular clinical interest in issues relating to bereavement, loss, learning and physical disability.
Jane is registered with and accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Frances Kerr Dip Psych Couns;
Registered Member MBACP
Frances qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor in 2010 followed by a post-graduate training from 2010 - 2011. She has trained in working with children and families and completed additional training in time limited and couples counselling. During the past nine years Frances has worked with people with a wide variety of presenting problems and with families in a Child and Family Service.
Frances has a particular clinical interest in issues relating to bereavement, loss and family dynamics.
Frances is registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Zak Hulstrom
Member BACP, UKCP
Zak is an integrative counsellor, who trained at The Minster Centre in London. He has experience of working with adults in open-ended work, who are dealing with issues around anxiety, suicidal ideation, depression and relationships. He is LGBT Affirmative and an advocate of anti-racism.
His way of working is relational, meaning that he draws on a range of theories according to each individual's needs. It also means that, when you're in counselling, it's the relationship between you and Zak that is most important in supporting you when you're in distress, helping you to have insight into yourself and your relationships, and finding new ways to take your life forward. He finds it important to create a warm and respectful relationship so that you feel safe enough to explore what brings you to counselling.
Zak has been a Trustee of Mind and is a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Catherine Macer, MBACP (Accred)
After a career in media Catherine retained as a Psychodynamic Counsellor qualifying in 2018. She has since done a further year-long training in Embodied Psychotherapy, as well as Time-limited Counselling. The core of her work is building a collaborative therapeutic relationship with clients, and creating a safe, empathic, compassionate space for them to bring whatever they need to bring. Her hope is that through counselling clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves, and that this empowers them to make the changes they seek. Though her work is primarily psychodynamic and talk-based she also draws on a client’s embodied experience, and uses movement, mindfulness and psychoeducation, if appropriate.
Catherine is experienced at working with both adults and adolescents in a variety of settings including a counselling service, local secondary schools, and in private practice. She is a fully accredited member of BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and is a qualified yoga teacher and certified mindfulness teacher.
Jane Danowski BA Oxon, MBACP
Jane holds a British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) accredited diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and a biology degree from Oxford University. This multidisciplinary foundation enables her to approach counselling with a holistic perspective, integrating both scientific understanding and psychological insight. With a passion for understanding the intricacies of the human mind and a sturdy academic background, Jane is a dedicated psychodynamic counsellor who brings a unique blend of knowledge and empathy to the therapeutic relationship.
Psychodynamic counselling is a therapeutic approach that delves into the unconscious processes that shape an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Examining the underlying motivations, unresolved conflicts, and past experiences, this approach helps clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the underlying factors that contribute to their current challenges. By developing a strong therapeutic alliance, clients are encouraged to unearth patterns, identify barriers and reflect on experiences.
“Working with me involves a collaborative journey where you are invited to share your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Through meaningful dialogue and active listening I work to help you uncover unconscious patterns that may be influencing your emotions and behaviours. As these insights emerge, you can gradually develop new perspectives, leading to personal growth and positive change.” Each client is treated as a unique individual with their own story to tell. Drawing from psychodynamic principles, Jane creates a safe and non-judgmental space where you can openly explore your feelings and experiences.
Yut Chhon MBACP (Reg)
Yut is a former Buddhist monk turned counsellor who has trained in the Person-Centred counselling approach. He offers an empathetic, warm and non-judgemental space for you to feel safe, supported and heard in exploring whatever you are struggling with in life. This could include, but is not limited to, low self-esteem, stress, depression, loss, anxiety, family problems and relationship issues.
Yut is a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). He has a deep understanding of how talking to someone about your struggles can be daunting, and is very careful to respect his clients’ pace in their own individual process. Yut aims to create a therapeutic relationship in which his clients feel valued, respected and understood for who they truly are, allowing them to explore their thoughts, memories, and emotions in an environment of acceptance.
Sally Kempner UKCP Registered Psychotherapist
Working with Sally combines both a practical present day focus on the issues you are facing and an investigation of how your past experiences and personal development have affected you, leading to a greater self- understanding. As an Integrative Psychotherapist Sally will support you to understand, verbalise and integrate your current and past experiences with your internal world. Sally loves to work with people who have never had counselling before and perhaps think it isn’t for them, as well as with people who already have an understanding of how their past circumstances have shaped them.
Sally began training as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist in 2006, completing her whole training with the Minster Centre in West London. Sally completed her Post-graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling in 2011 and her MA and Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling in 2013. Sally has been UKCP Registered as a Full Clinical Member since 2014. In addition to private practice Sally has worked for the NHS, an employee assistance provider, an FE college and University Counselling Services.
Julia Godden MBACP (Reg) Counsellor
Prior to working as a therapist, Julia worked extensively within the field of social and community care and housing, with varied populations of adults and children. Her interest and work in a therapeutic modality began in 2003 with initial training in the USA, before further training within an integrative/person centred counselling framework in 2017. She has completed an advanced, contemporary training in Somatic and Trauma Therapy, which includes a neurobiological approach and emphasis on the nervous system. She is an artist, and a qualified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Teacher so her way of working is holistic and rooted within a mind/body/energy approach working psychologically, somatically and creatively.
Julia works well with people navigating changes, throughout the stages of life and aging. She has ongoing interest in working with loss and bereavement, with any kind of grief and is particularly interested in working with people who are impacted by ill health or invisible illness and chronic pain. Her practice is LGBTQIA+ and gender, sexual and relationship diversity affirmative.
“I aim to facilitate a process with compassion where you move towards deeper self-acceptance, It is a process of inquiry, growing in awareness, understanding, and building capacity to deal with life’s demands”.
Lisa Soda (MBACP) Relationship Counsellor
Lisa is a registered member of the (BACP) while working towards her accreditation and has recently completed further studies at level 6 in Counselling and Psychotherapy (BA, Hons) at Warwickshire University. Her modality of working is an integrative approach to counselling, this is a blend of psychodynamic and person-centered theories. She feels this allows her to adopt the right approach for each client’s needs.
Lisa has found counselling to be a wonderful blend of her natural compassion and want for those who need emotional support. It has been a pleasure to assist individuals and couples who present a range of emotions, helping them to navigate and understand their emotions better. Throughout her training she has worked closely with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationships, and bereaved clients.
Lisa has an interest in working with couples and families, drawing upon her training and life experiences to provide a blend of rich resources, and looks forward to welcoming you into a non-judgmental space.
Atlanta Rayner (MBACP) Relationship/Couples and Psychosexual Therapist
Since 2008 for nearly 18 years and counting - I have been supporting couples and individuals across all ages, cultures, and mental health issues with a wide range of therapeutic support, working for renowned organisations including Relate, Cruise Bereavement and the NHS..
Before my counselling work, I was employed at the BBC as an assistant producer in specialist factual documentaries, dealing with a range of people and life issues. I have also had a strong interest in patterns of the mind, the stories we tell, wellbeing, and how people can be given their own tools to change.
Trained with an Advanced Diploma in Couples Counselling, a Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy, an Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision (including Online and Telephone Working), and with an MSC in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, my Continual Personal Development certificates include post-traumatic birth and sexual abuse, sexual orientations, family constellations, sex addiction and domestic violence.
I became an accredited Relate Counsellor in 2011, and am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Lapidus International, as well as having served as a trustee for Footsteps Counselling and Care. and as a consultant therapist for adoption through Headsight Services.