About Dionne
My background
I'm a Mother to two young children and prior to retraining as a psychotherapist worked at a senior leadership level in a corporate sales career for over 15 years. As a result, I understand very well the pressures of juggling a career with family life and the impact this can have on our mental wellbeing in the workplace.
My experience
With a range of experience in clinical, neuropsychological and counselling settings, I use the most evidence-based techniques to help adults, children & young people develop healthier coping strategies and more positive ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
I have worked with adults within Mind, the mental health charity, the NHS and the private sector at The Priory; and have also helped children & young people with a range of social, emotional, behavioural and psychological issues within the education sector. Find out more about how I work with children & young people.
My 15-year-old son began having real problems at school despite previously being a very good student. The feedback from teachers was that his behaviour and grades had taken a turn for the worse. Talking with my son, it became clear that he was struggling to cope with the high-pressure grammar school environment. Another parent at the school recommended Dionne as their daughter had experienced similar problems. Dionne helped my son identify the things that triggered his anxiety and break down, what in his mind were insurmountable problems, into manageable 'chunks' using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. He is much happier now - the atmosphere at home is much better and things have improved enormously at school.
A truly holistic approach
Perhaps what sets me apart from other more 'general therapists' is my experience in the field of neuropsychology, which provides a detailed understanding of the structure and function of the brain in relation to specific psychological processes. This enables a truly holistic approach to human behaviour, a complex phenomenon, as the mechanics of the brain can negatively impact our mental health and wellbeing. Find out more about how I work with adults.
Whatever the setting, and whatever the issue, I enjoy helping people at different stages of their lives to discover their innate ability to overcome life's challenges and thrive. The Positive Mind Psychotherapy & Counselling practice is committed to creating positive mental wellbeing so that clients can maximise their potential and feel truly great, not just OK.
Training & Qualifications
I hold a First-Class Honours Degree in Psychology and Counselling from the University of Greenwich and have subsequent CPD training on Suicidal Ideation, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Positive Behaviour Support, Restorative Justice, Mindfulness Practice, Resilience Development, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation and Neurodegenerative Conditions.
Accreditation and Memberships
Feeling Stuck?
Do you overthink?
I can help you move forward more positively.
Area of Special Interest:
Resilience
The importance of resilience
I'm fascinated by our capacity and need for resilience, a key concept of 'positive psychology'. Resilience is the ability to think, feel and behave in a flexible and adaptable manner and to sustain mental wellbeing in times of challenge.
Resilience is vital as it enables us to successfully navigate our way through events we perceive to be stressful and is considered the antidote to 'learned helplessness' - a condition in which people feel they have no control over what happens to them and overlook opportunities for change and personal growth. However, it is hard to obtain as it is not a single skill - it's a combination of skills and coping mechanisms. The good news is that being resilient is not a personality trait - it can be built at any age!
My own research in this field has also led me to work with adults in the corporate sector providing training, coaching and psychotherapy.
