I later spent time in New York supporting people in a therapeutic community. It was an experience that shaped the way I think about relationships, recovery and the importance of helping people feel heard.
Back in the UK, I trained as an addictions specialist through the University of London and continued working with people facing complex emotional and mental health challenges. Over the years, I came to appreciate just how much difference one thoughtful conversation can make.
People sometimes imagine professionals always know exactly what to say. In my experience, we do our best in the moment. Even after more than 35 years, I still don't believe there is a perfect script for difficult conversations.
What matters, I think, is being able to stay present, stay curious and resist the urge to rush in with solutions. That belief shapes the way I train. I want people to leave feeling more confident, not because they have all the answers, but because they feel better prepared to support someone when it matters most.
Losing someone close to suicide changed the way I thought about this work. It reinforced something I had already seen throughout my career: people often want to help but simply don't know what to say or do.
That's one of the reasons I founded Hope Bridge Training. I wanted to create practical, compassionate training that helps people feel more confident when someone needs them most.
I'm currently training as a psychotherapist because I don't believe learning ever stops. Neither does the need for self-care. Outside work, family is at the centre of my life. I also enjoy mountain biking and have been collecting vinyl for many years. My record collection now includes more than 1,000 albums.
More than anything, I want people to leave training feeling better supported, a little calmer and more able to stay alongside others when conversations become difficult.
