I've worked in the community and voluntary sector for over 15 years with most of my experience being in youth work. I'm passionate about young people and wellbeing and look forward to working across the sectors to deliver awareness on eating distress.

I am an Integrative Counsellor, which means as well as using the core foundation of Person-Centred Therapy I also use a variety of modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gestalt and Transactional Analysis (TA). I provide confidential, high-quality counselling both face to face and by telephone or online to people aged 16+ affected by eating distress/disorders

I joined the EDNE team in April 2023 after working for Mind as a CYP counsellor.
I am an integrative, person-centred counsellor who puts the client at the centre of the process and is led by their needs.

Additionally, I work with an array of different creative media techniques which also give client’s a voice in a different way as well as working with different modalities such as attachment theory; TA; Gestalt and CBT.

I love reading, music, history, and crafts.

I am an integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. This means I work in an empathetic, non-judgmental, collaborative way that is ultimately lead by you. As we work together, I might introduce a variety of ideas or approaches that I think might be helpful, and together we establish whether they serve to help you towards your counselling goals. I would describe my counselling style as a blend of straight-forward compassion, kindness, empathy, and authenticity.

I am a queer, LGBTQIA+ affirming counsellor, and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

When I’m not at EDNE I work with The Jonathan Upshall Foundation- a charity that provides accessible counselling to individuals who otherwise couldn’t afford it. I also work with various organisations to provide counselling support to their employees.

In my spare time I like to tend to my many house plants, spend time with my dogs, and cycle around the coast.

Hi, my name is Clair, and I joined the EDNE team in August 2023.

I am an integrative counsellor which means that I use different therapeutic approaches to meet each client’s individual needs. By putting the client at the centre of the process I will provide you with a safe, accepting, and empathic space where you can express yourself, be heard and feel understood. Together we will work at your pace.

Prior to joining EDNE I worked therapeutically at a young people’s counselling service, with adult survivors of domestic abuse and with adopted children and their families.  Alongside this, I am a registered Social Worker with several years of experience of working with children in care.

Outside of work you will find me with my nose in good a book, dancing like no-one is watching or catching up with friends & family.

I work in a “person centred” way which attempts to work collaboratively with you, rather than advise you, on greater insights, understanding and awareness.

I work “integratively” which simply means I will adopt different approaches depending on your preference and need. I encourage you to engage with me and tell me what is working, and what is not, so we can adapt how we work together.

Prior to working with EDNE I gained clinical experience at the charity Anxious Minds after volunteering as a Samaritans telephone listener. I am currently also a freelance counsellor at Tyneside and Northumberland Mind. I have extensive experience as a support working for adults with learning disabilities and Autism, as well as a personal care assistant for a university student in London.

I strongly believe in living a balanced life and am passionate about self-care, enjoying exercise and being outdoors (especially hiking and walking my golden retriever).

I'm an integrative counsellor. I'm based at Newcastle University offering counselling to students. My background includes previously working with students at York University, providing counselling to young people aged 11-18 years and working with children and adults in domestic abuse projects. 

I am a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor who will listen to your individual needs and circumstances and together plan a way forward at a pace that suits you. I provide a calm and welcome space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings without judgement.

My previous experience includes working in the NHS, with Cruse Bereavement and Tyneside and Northumberland Mind.

Hello, my name is Emma and I'm an integrative counsellor. I work using different therapeutic approaches that best suit your individuality and your needs. I believe in working together collaboratively at your pace and I will provide a safe, non-judgmental space that allows you to explore your experiences, deepen self-awareness, and develop tools for coping.   

My name is Ruth, and I am a Psychotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I started working with EDNE in placement in 2023 and, since qualifying, offer therapy through our private service. This is an opportunity to offer open ended therapy so we can work together for as long as you need.

Hi, I'm Maddy! I'm an Associate Psychological Practitioner with a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice. I started my career working in a community adult eating disorder service, where I had the privilege of supporting people through some of their experiences with eating distress.

At EDNE, I work with individuals who are facing eating distress along with other mental health struggles like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

I have a diverse and somewhat eclectic employment background. I've enjoyed roles in the voluntary and community sector within housing and homelessness, alcohol and substance misuse, youth work, mental health and emotional wellbeing support and in developing and managing lived experienced networks. I also spent many years as a European Tour Director! Sharing positivity, hope and opening new opportunities is super important for me and I am excited to bring added value to the EDNE service offer

I joined EDNE as a Group Worker in September 2023 after working as a Sessional Worker for Changing Lives, where I worked supporting people struggling with homelessness. Alongside this, I am continuing my role as an Integrative Counsellor working in other organisations in the wider area.

Hi, I'm Natasha!

I'm an integrative Psychotherapeutic counsellor which means I use a range of approaches to support your needs and I often consider how your past experiences might be impacting you now. I offer a warm, empathic and non-judgemental space for clients. I'm currently undertaking a psychotherapy placement with EDNE alongside training as a psychotherapist.

Hello! I'm Hettie. I'm a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor and I started a placement at EDNE in February 2025 as part of my Masters In Psychotherapy. I work "at depth" with clients; exploring how past experiences might be impacting on the present, and what they might want to change.

Kay is an experienced Non-Executive Director, with a proven track record of business transformation and culture change and brings a wealth of experience from multiple sectors and roles to the EDNE Board.

She is a qualified coach, mentor, mediator and Mental Health First Aider. Kay also has a coaching and consultancy business Forster Jones Consulting

Lauren has been a Trustee since 2018 and is a member of the HR sub-group. She is a previous service user of Eating Distress North-East (formerly NIWE).

Work as Café Coordinator for Café Beam run by Smile For Life Children’s Charity. The café offers young people with learning difficulties and disabilities with a work placement to learn skills and develop confidence so that they are ready for the world of work. The young people are supported by dedicated volunteers.

Other general interests
Learning Japanese as well growing fruit and vegetables on my allotment and caring for my chickens.

I was keen to join the trustee team as eating distress has also affected those close to me and I wanted to ensure I could support this invaluable work. I heard about Eating Distress North East through the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear as a part of their Trustee Match Scheme

Jo joined EDNE Board as a Trustee in May 2023 and has recently been appointed Treasurer.

She has had experience as a charity trustee for the last 7 years for a local scout group, as well as being their Treasurer for 6 of those years.

She is ACA qualified and has had more than 15 years experience in senior finance roles across a multitude of sectors, from housing to transport. She is currently Group Financial Controller at Altelium, who provide warranties, insurance and consultancy to empower businesses working with batteries, at all stages of their life cycle, on the path to net zero.

Callum, an experienced data architect and engineer with 15 years of expertise in the tech sector, joined the EDNE Board of Trustees in May 2023.

He has worked with a range of organisations, ranging from the UK government to multinational consultancies, specialising in creating data systems and leading data strategy. His current role is the co-founder of Insightano, a startup building a data platform for social sector organisations to help them define, measure and act upon their social impact.

Sarah has worked in the not-for-profit sector for 23 years and is the Chief Executive of Tandem (formerly Morrison Trust), a Darlington charity providing support with employment, training, skills and personal development. Sarah joined the EDNE Board in September 2023.