The Safespace Team

The Faces That Help

Do You Want To Find Out More About Yourself?

we can do it together

Freedom In Flowers

Don’t Be A Stranger…

If you have any queries regarding our service provison and what we may be able to do for you (or one of your vulnerable clients),  get in touch… 

Contact Info

MARIA CROSSLEY

I am a counsellor who is passionate about enabling those to reach their potential, by offering a safe, caring and professional space, to explore issues which you are important to you.

Do you have unwanted feelings or emotions? Do you want to ‘change’, although unsure what this ‘change’ looks like? Do you believe that you are ‘stuck’, repeating old patterns off ‘unhealthy’ behaviour’s and unsure why? Are you having problems maintaining relationships? Are you friends worried about you? Although I cannot wave a magic wand and makes everything perfect for you, I will show that within our therapeutic relationship a different way off ‘being’. The work together will start on our first session. I will offer a caring, genuine relationship, which at times may gently challenge to enable you to look at issues in a different perspective’s. 

I have a passion for working with those that misuse substances (Alcohol, drugs). I have interest in working with those who have historic child abuse, those who have experienced Sexual Violence- and this affecting them, those who have issues around Eating, Loss, Depressive disorders, Anxiety disorders, Relationship issues, those who have Personality type disorders, and issues affecting those within the LGBQ plus communities. 

I have worked for over 30 years with families, young people and adults within a range of different settings, and organisations, as a therapist, advisor and care co-Ordinator. I can offer short, solution focused work as well as long term work- this is up to how you believe you want to start this what could be a life changing journey. This is the start off your journey, working out who you feel comfortable with. 

Maria Crossley | SafeSpace Counsellor

Ian Boorn

I began my therapeutic career in 1991 when I volunteered as a part time therapeutic support assistant at a school for children on the autistic spectrum in Nottingham. I began to see how beneficial the arts were to the young people, who were often struggling to connect with the world around them and to develop a sense of self. I enrolled on a BA hons course at the University of Derby in Arts Therapies. I graduated in 1997 with a 2.1 and went on to form a private practice with a Dance Movement Therapist. We worked with many of the specialised schools in Nottinghamshire and some residential centres, using the arts as a therapeutic medium.

This was a part time project, working two days a week. The rest of the week I worked with people with enduring mental health issues at a day service run by Family first as a mental health support worker.

During my time there I began volunteering for the NHS in Nottingham at the Adult Psychotherapy Unit, where I undertook various trainings in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, including a supervision training. I saw patients and received supervision from the team, as a visiting therapist for over 8 years.

By 1999 the creative arts business I was a director of had come to an end and I began to work for Nottingham Youth Offending Team, using creative approaches with the young people there.

To further my clinical practice, I undertook post graduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Practice with the NHS in Derby.

Following this I obtained a full time position as a Mental Health Therapist at a project called Open Door. This project was jointly funded by Nottingham NHS, city and county councils. This was a secondary mental health service for people with enduring mental health issues. Working closely with the NHS Community Mental Health Teams. I became manager of this service, for 8 years.

My private practice started in 1998. I see clients privately and offer supervision to other therapists.

My work with Safe Space began some years ago as a volunteer therapist working with the varied client group that access this highly regarded service. I now join the supervision groups there.

I have worked for Leicestershire NHS since 2015 firstly in a therapeutic community as a specialist psychotherapist and currently as a member of the psychoanalytic psychotherapy team.

I have completed training in group analysis, Family therapy and Cruise bereavement training. I attend CPD regularly and am an accredited registered member of the BACP. I offer CPD to therapist in working creatively with others. I have worked for IAPT services Nottingham and have a qualification in Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression. I have been a supervisor and therapist at Nottingham counselling for the last 5 years.

Ian Boorn | SafeSpace Counsellor

FRANK MUTERO

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

I am a humanistic, integrative counsellor and psychotherapist with a specialism of working with adults and young people. I have extensive experience of working with people from all walks of life, supporting them to work through a wide range of issues, and with a particular interest in those struggling with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

I recognise that reaching out is hard, and can offer a safe, supportive and welcoming space for my clients. You can talk freely about your experiences and concerns, knowing that our work together is confidential and that you will not be judged. I take a client-centred approach, based on warmth, empathy, honesty and respect. This means that I am led by what you feel able to talk about, and together we can work towards finding a way forward that feels right for you. 

. I trained at the Sherwood Psychotherapy and Counselling Institute (SPTI) and gained a BSc degree with Honours. As a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I adhere to their guidelines and am committed to continued professional development. 

In addition to Private Practice, I’ve been a volunteer therapist, and assessor, for 7 years at Safe Space Counselling Service, a local charity which provides counselling for clients with drugs/alcohol issues, as well as other vulnerable adults with a range of other issues. Alongside this, I’m a volunteer Bereavement Therapist at St Barnabas Cathedral Nottingham. Prior to becoming a therapist/counsellor, I worked in the social sector for many years, here in the UK and in the USA, as a Social Worker/Probation Officer.

Frank Mutero | SafeSpace Counsellor

ALISON COONEY

I am the director of Safe Space Therapy Ltd. I have 22 years experience as a counsellor/psychotherapist. I am an approved Supervisor with the Sherwood Psychotherapy Institute and am a supervisor at Nottingham Counselling Service, in Nottingham.

I am a registered accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and have a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I have a Post Graduate Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Treatment.

My previous experience has been in mental health advocacy work, and drug and alcohol treatment.

NATALIE SPALL

I am in my final year of training for an MSc in Person-centred and Experiential Psychotherapy. I have worked for Safespace for nearly a year as one of my placements. My other placements have included a women’s only service as well as in a centre for young people up to the age of 25.

I have extensive experience of working in the Criminal Justice System with a range of people who have experienced multiple disadvantages in life. In building relationships with these individuals, I wanted to be able to use my skills in a role/setting where the client’s needs are placed at the centre.

As a counsellor, I believe that any person is the expert in their own world and given the right conditions they can grow into the person they want to be. I believe in people’s inherent ability to change and have a particular interest in what keeps us stuck from moving forward when we really want to.

Other interests include humour in therapy and our use of popular culture (TV, books and films) in supporting reflection and learning about ourselves.

Natalie Spall | SafeSpace Counsellor

CLAIRE SHAW

My own personal journey into training to become a qualified counsellor began after loosing my identical twin sister and my Mum to breast cancer. I wanted to learn and understand why I was feeling the way I was – angry, hostile towards others, depressed; and furthermore, no zest for life anymore.

After the hurt and pain I had experienced, I whole heartedly knew that deep down I wanted to be able to help others who were experiencing grief, loss and other significant issues which were impacting their life.

I have a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree in Humanistic Counselling Practice in the first class from the University of Nottingham. As part of my degree I had to accrue 200 hours of clinical practice (client hours) within an organisation which had been verified and checked. I chose Safe Space Therapy Ltd where I worked as a trainee counsellor for 18 months with clients recovering from drug/alcohol/probation related issues and furthermore, vulnerable adults in general. I thoroughly enjoyed the work with my clients, and the support from Alison and other staff at Safe Space has really helped me to build and form my own practice. In addition, I am still with the organisation as an assessor for new referrals. 

Claire Shaw | SafeSpace Counsellor

Alex Jeffries

I am the designer of the Safespace website, their marketing and asscoiated promotional materials.

I began working with Alison and the Safespace team in 2014 whilst collaborating with the Alchohol & Drug Treatment Services on their Foundations To Recovery program.

I have gathered over 24 years experince in IT services, design and marketing and enjoy working with organisations in this particular sector as I strongly advocate for mental health services and support, as well as drug and alcohol treatment services.

| SafeSpace Counsellor

JAMES PALFREYMAN

I’m James (a.k.a Jimi). I trained as a Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist, at the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI), where I gained a First-Class BSc (Hons) degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy. I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their ethical framework for the counselling professions.

As a Humanistic therapist, I see you as unique and value your life experiences and how life events may have impacted upon you. I believe that you are the expert on your own life and have the capacity and right to become the best version of yourself, as defined by you. I work in a way that promotes autonomy, supporting you to take back the control in your life, and clear some space to be able to let good things in, in the future. I hold great value in the power of the therapeutic relationship and the healing that can happen within it.

I draw on theories from a number of therapeutic modalities that support my relational approach, to help me better support you in finding meaning in whatever you may have experienced or may currently be experiencing. I work in a way that promotes communication and integration between parts of the self that you may feel cut off from, or even unaware of.

I have a wealth of experience supporting people with a range of issues; including addiction, domestic abuse, self-esteem and a variety of mental health concerns, including, but not limited to anxiety and depression. I have a keen interest in identity and how we see ourselves, and ourselves in relation to others. I have a real passion for working with clients who have experienced and are continually impacted by traumatic events; supporting them to reclaim their lives back.

I have a private practice in Ripley, Derbyshire, as well as working with clients nationally online. Alongside working privately, I am proud to have a development and support role with Safe Space Counselling Service, and deliver anxiety workshops for Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service.

James Palfreyman | SafeSpace Counsellor

Rajan Rai

My name is Raj, and I combine being a trainee counsellor at Safe Space with studying for a Masters in Psychotherapy in Nottingham.

I have worked both as a journalist and university tutor before embarking on this new path. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life, and feel that developing a strong therapeutic relationship between the counsellor and client is the key to facilitating long-lasting change.

ANITA DAY

I’m a Person-Centred Counsellor and I see clients regularly for trauma.  Trauma can take many forms and shapes. Trauma can start as early as childhood or come later in life with adverse effects such as PTSD.

I have specific training and experience dealing with trauma related to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and I have personal experience of trauma from a natural disaster. I understand all too well the ‘fight’, ‘flight’ or ‘freeze’ responses our bodies naturally go into when faced with a traumatic experience. My job as a counsellor is to empower you find your way out of the trauma responses and therefore live a more peaceful, authentic life.