Meet the team

About our staff

Thanks to the dedication of our counsellors, supervisors, trainees, and operational staff, we are able to offer low-cost, high-quality counselling to our community.

Our team includes experienced counsellors and supervisors, as well as trainee counsellors working towards accreditation, bringing a wide range of skills, approaches, and specialisms. With team members from diverse backgrounds, we strive to provide an inclusive practice where every client feels respected, understood, and supported. Together, we create a safe space for clients to explore challenges, build insight, and make meaningful changes in their lives.

Counsellors and Supervisors

Julie Slumbers

Julie Slumbers

Counsellor and Supervisor

I work with individuals who want to understand how patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and relationships affect their daily life. I support people navigating challenges such as anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck, providing a space to explore these issues with clarity and care.

My work is integrative, drawing on humanistic, psychodynamic, CBT, Gestalt, Jungian and transactional analysis approaches. This allows us to explore past experiences, notice what is happening in the present, and develop practical ways of coping – tailored to what feels most helpful for you.

I hold an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Therapy and a Certificate in Clinical Supervision. Alongside my client work, I supervise two counselling groups and engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice, which ensures I bring insight, adaptability, and responsiveness to every session. 

Maggie Yarlett

Maggie Yarlett

Acting Head of Clinical Services

I am a counselling practitioner dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space tailored to each client's needs. I work with trauma, historical abuse, complex grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and neurodivergent experiences. My aim is to help clients understand themselves and their experiences, empowering them to make meaningful life changes.

Grounded in person-centred/humanistic theory, I use an integrative approach that combines Transactional Analysis, Jungian psychology, and attachment theory, with creative interventions to reach deeper insights. I view the clients as the experts on their lives, and my role is to support their exploration and self-empowerment. The therapeutic relationship is foundational, trustworthy, respectful, and responsive.

I hold a Level 6 CPCAB in Clinical Supervision, a formal diploma in therapeutic counselling, and am on track to be accredited by the BACP in 2026. My work draws on lived experiences, turning challenges into growth so nothing is wasted on the path to a stronger, more authentic future.

Lanka Templeman

Lanka Templeman

Counsellor and Supervisor

I work with adults experiencing anxiety that impacts and interferes with day-to-day life. From overthinking to being self-critical, replaying interactions and constant worry. I provide a safe space to talk through these emotions.

I am a person centred/existential counsellor and use a combination of counselling and coaching to help build confidence, manage panic and to make the most of your life. 

I hold a degree in Psychology, a Certificate in Counselling Skills and a Post Graduate Diploma in Person Centered/Existential Counselling and a certificate in Supervision.  I continue to learn and train through courses and workshops. 

Rob Abbott

Rob Abbott

Supervisor

I work with adults who want to understand how their early life experiences, relationships, and patterns of thinking affect their present-day wellbeing. People often come to me when they are experiencing depression, anxiety, or relationship difficulties, and are looking for a space to explore these issues with clarity and support.

My work is informed by years of clinical practice and a deep understanding of child development and the brain. I draw on an integrative approach, tailoring sessions to what feels most helpful for you, whether that’s exploring past experiences, understanding current patterns, or developing practical ways to cope and grow.

I am an NCPS Senior Accredited Counsellor and an experienced clinical supervisor. I have taught and supported trainee counsellors at Winchester Universities and the Open University, and my experience supervising and reflecting on practice helps me bring insight, curiosity, and precision to each session.

Sally Davis

Sally Davis

Counsellor and Operations Manager

I work with adults who want to explore challenges such as anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. My aim is to provide a supportive, safe space where you can understand yourself more deeply and develop practical ways to cope, grow, and feel more in control of your life.

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to tailor our sessions to what is most helpful for you. Together, we can explore past experiences, current challenges, and ways to make meaningful change that suits your needs.

I trained at The Minster Centre in London and as a supervisor at the Connexus Institute in Hove, East Sussex. Alongside my client work, I supervise counselling groups and engage in and deliver ongoing professional development, which helps me bring insight, reflection, and responsiveness to every session. 

Alana Burton

Alana Burton

Counsellor and Supervisor

I work with individuals who want to explore patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and relationships, particularly when navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, or feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns. I aim to provide a safe and supportive space where you can gain clarity, build insight, and develop practical ways to manage challenges and move forward. 

My work is grounded in transactional analysis, which helps us notice how past experiences and current interactions shape your feelings and choices. Together, we can explore these patterns and create strategies for more satisfying and balanced ways of living. 

I am a Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA(P)), a UKCP-registered psychotherapist, and hold a Diploma in Supervision. Alongside my client work, I supervise counselling groups and engage in reflective practice, which ensures that my work remains thoughtful, adaptive, and attuned to each client’s needs. 

Operations team

James Davies

James Davies

Director of Operations

I’ve spent almost my entire career working in the third sector, including over 11 years with Shaw Trust, one of the UK’s largest charities. In my role at Arun Counselling Centre, I focus on making sure our services run smoothly, so clients can access safe, high-quality counselling when they need it.

I bring experience in operational management, partnerships, business development, and finance, which helps ensure that our counselling provision is sustainable, well-coordinated, and able to meet the needs of everyone who comes through our doors. 

Erin Mallory

Erin Mallory

Fundraising

I’ve spent over 14 years working in fundraising within the not-for-profit and third sector. At Arun Counselling Centre, I focus on securing funding from trusts and foundations, helping to ensure our counselling services remain accessible and financially sustainable for the community.

I love combining my professional experience with my passion for counselling and therapy, knowing that the work I do behind the scenes helps clients access the support they need. Outside of work, I enjoy football, reading, and swimming in the sea. 

Charlie Walker

Charlie Walker

Finance

I’m a qualified bookkeeper with two years’ finance experience and over ten years in administration. In my role at Arun Counselling Centre, I focus on keeping our finances organised and running smoothly, helping ensure our counselling services remain reliable and accessible for clients.

I bring a warm, people-focused approach to my work, and I enjoy making sure our team can focus on supporting clients effectively. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and going on long walks with my lively Miniature Schnauzer. 

Natalie Salter

Natalie Salter

Administration Officer

I began my career at Arun Counselling Centre as a trainee counsellor, and now I support the team as an assessor and administrator. In my role, I help ensure that clients’ experiences run smoothly, from booking appointments to providing information and guidance, so that accessing counselling is simple and stress-free.

Alongside this, I continue to work as a counsellor in my private practice, which gives me insight into the needs of our clients and helps me support our team in delivering high-quality care. Outside of work, I enjoy long walks, singing, and yoga.