Sandra graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Transpersonal Psychotherapy & Counselling in December 2002. Since then Sandra has also gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Couples Psychotherapy and is a qualified EMDR Therapist.

Sandra is a Member of: United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists UKCPMember of the British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists

While sleep has a restorative function, sleep deprivation can lead to daytime sleepiness, mood changes, cognitive deficits, impaired work ability, accidents, immune deficiency, and cardiovascular risk.

Sleep data of healthy sleepers is lacking, but studies show that healthy sleepers exhibit a sleep efficiency (SE, ratio of time asleep to total time in bed) above 85% with a seven to eight hours sleep duration Professions with irregular schedules and high stress (e.g., shift workers, professional athletes) may experience reduced sleep duration and quality, resulting in an impaired working ability. Orchestra musicians undergo similar extraordinary demands with extended working hours and performances in the late evening. With expectations of precise physical and psychological performance, they are compared to top-ranking athletes. A Norwegian survey revealed that professional musicians were dissatisfied with their sleep and suffered from increased insomnia. However, objective sleep patterns of professional musicians have not yet been investigated.

Younger musicians present a lower subjective sleep quality than older musicians. They consisted of more “evening” types and showed unhealthy brooding and daytime sleepiness. Reasons may include an increased need for sleep, family and economic reasons, but also the work situation. While prolonged stress levels of the profession may not have manifested in their sleep architecture, the young musicians may feel it mentally.

The reduced sleep duration of the musicians is comparable to that of shift workers and indicates sleep deprivation.

Already short- term sleep deprivation negatively affects sleepiness, mood, cognition, motor performance, and metabolic variables

Musicians show a tendency of slightly more light sleep and less REM sleep (dream sleep) than healthy sleepers. Sleep deprivation usually causes a slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) rebound during the first undisturbed night and a REM rebound during the second undisturbed night

After qualifying in 1992, I worked in the several NHS trusts gaining experience in various services. After 23 years I left to established a private practice, closer to home and with an ability to deliver healthcare in the way I believe. I work closely with GP’s, Orthopaedic Consultants and The Rutherford Cancer centre. I have authored published works in leading journals and co-written books and public health documents. I have a passion for individualised tailored treatment, built upon a foundation of thorough diagnosis and clinical excellence. I believe in a service that is personal to you and our goal is always to enable you to reach your goals. I understand that your body and your problems are unique to you, so I ensure your treatments are too. Your concerns, however big or small, are our problems and we are committed to resolve them with you. I don’t believe in ‘cookie-cutter’ style solutions or short cuts, I look for a root cause of your problem and personally journey with you until it is resolved. If for any reason I can’t resolve your concerns I will find someone that can.

When not working you will find me either running up and down the Wirral Way or out on my paddle board with Lottie, my cocker spaniel, at the helm!

Sue is registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, HCPC and BUPA Accredited.