About Me

Hi there! The most important thing I focus on in my work is helping people feel strong and in control of their own lives, no matter what they've been through before. Maybe things that happened to you in the past weren't your fault, but I believe it's up to you to integrate your experiences in a healthy way so you can feel better and have more clarity in your life.

 

People make mistakes, and those mistakes can actually teach us a lot. We don't have to feel like we're stuck and can't do anything about our problems. Even though it might seem tough, we have the power to change how we see things and feel about them.

 

Instead of feeling like life is punishing us, we can start to enjoy the good moments and feel safe and secure in our emotions. We can turn our embarrassment into excitement, our worries into something fun, and the way we judge ourselves into being kinder to ourselves.

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My current certifications:

-Emotional freedom coaching (Freedom Formula) 

-Treating chronic stress 

-Treating anxiety in autism/ASD

-Treating complex post traumatic disorder (cptsd) 

-Neuroscience of Autism 

-Neuroscience of ADHD 

 

(I also have an honours degree in fashion design with business studies & a higher national credit in art & design). 

 

I annually complete a minimum of 15 hours accredited career personal development for counselling (CPD) to consistently update my training & knowledge, and provide the best service for my clients. 

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My Experience:

I received experience-based training while running my own creative therapy business (Say It Ain’t Sew) for 9 years from 2010-2019. 

I used creative therapy (sewing, painting, writing, drawing, & collage) with clients & their family members who were encountering: 

Mental and emotional health challenges such as: self-confidence, anxiety & depression, displacement, addiction, domestic abuse, religious & racial abuse, social isolation, childhood trauma, incarceration, dementia, chronic stress, toxic shame, palliative care, grief & loss, and neurodivergence. 

 

I was diagnosed with ADHD & ASD in 2023 

I have been managing and treating my own symptoms of CPTSD for a number of years. 

 

Some organisations my creative therapy/coaching businesses and I have worked with/supported since 2010:

 

Impact Arts 

Barnardo’s 

Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid 

Brewdog PLC

G1 Group 

Blazing Griffin Digital Entertainment 

The Village Storytelling Centre 

HMYOI Polmont 

Burnfield Carehome Giffnock

SAMH 

Skypark Glasgow 

STV 

The Unity Centre 

Glasgow Caledonian University 

New College Lanarkshire 

Remode CIC

Rose & Grants of Trongate 

& 40+ Primary schools in the greater Glasgow city area

 

I have a full PVG from Disclosure Scotland and liability insurance. 

 

I currently have a self-published book available globally on Amazon called Upgrade Your Self-Confidence

CLICK HERE  for my book

 

Links to articles about me and my work: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42165840

https://www.sewmag.co.uk/blog/say-it-aint-sew-how-free-classes-are-doing-good

https://glasgow.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/70/

https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/videos/10156298867096323/

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/who-makes-list-glasgows-stars-14050021

https://artsnfaffs.com/category/fashion/

https://www.creative-lives.org/epic-awards-say-it-aint-sew

https://stitcherystories.com/ionabarker/

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My current services include: 

• Private coaching and counselling to individuals via weekly Zoom.

• Corporate coaching and counselling via weekly group or individual sessions via Zoom/Google Meet OR in-person sessions within the organisation using meeting rooms, if the organisation is within the Glasgow area.

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A life coach serves as a facilitator of learning and growth, creating a supportive and motivating environment that empowers individuals to explore their potential, acquire new skills, and make positive changes in their lives.

Effective coaching involves utilising different approaches and techniques tailored to the specific needs and goals of the individual being coached. It can include asking powerful questions, active listening, providing constructive feedback, setting achievable targets, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and supporting the client through the process of change.

By working with a coach, individuals can gain clarity, overcome obstacles, develop new perspectives, and make progress towards their desired outcomes. 

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Counselling is a process where a trained professional provides support, guidance, and a safe space for individuals to explore and address their emotional, mental, and psychological concerns. It is a collaborative relationship between the counsellor and the client, with the goal of enhancing well-being and facilitating personal growth.

 

The counselling process typically involves open and confidential conversations in which the client can express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment. The counsellor listens attentively, empathises with the client's struggles, and helps them gain insight into their emotions, behaviours, and beliefs.

 

Counselling can address a wide range of issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief and loss, self-esteem, addiction, and trauma. The counsellor employs various therapeutic techniques and approaches tailored to the individual's needs, providing tools and strategies to cope with challenges and improve overall mental health.

 

The benefits of counselling are numerous. It provides a space for self-reflection, self-discovery, and personal growth. It can help individuals gain a better understanding of themselves, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build resilience. Counselling can also improve communication skills, enhance relationships, and promote a sense of well-being and self-empowerment.

 

It is important to note that both coaching and counselling are a collaborative and confidential process. The facilitator (me) respects and values the client’s autonomy and works within ethical guidelines to maintain privacy and confidentiality. The number of sessions can vary depending on the individual's needs and progress, but my policy is starting with a minimum of 12 sessions for 1 hour a week.

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My prices start at £1000 for 12 weeks paid in full or £300 paid in 4 instalments over a four month period (total repayment is £1200 for payment plan)

I accept bank transfer and PayPal for UK residents and PayPal for all clients outside the UK. 

All clients must sign an agreement to ensure payments promises be kept and paid on time. 

I do not give medical or psychiatric advice and no results are guaranteed. 

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Click the consultation button below to chat further.