Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling is a collaborative, non-judgmental professional working relationship between you and a psychotherapist. It is a relationship that values your uniqueness and respects your experiences. This relationship is created in a safe space either face to face or online. Counselling is a form of talking therapy, but my belief is that lasting change involves talking and body work; be this somatic practices or breathwork to encourage mind and body to work in harmony. Counselling is a confidential and boundaried relationship that can be uniquely tailored to your needs and priorities. Counsellors should not give solutions to your problems rather they should work with you to exploring the blocks, spot the patterns and discover your resistance to making the lasting change you crave.

As an integrative trained psychotherapist I am trained in Humanistic, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I believe in the person-centred approach and commence most counselling relationships from here. I value the relationship and work to build trust and respect and always work from the knowledge that you are the expert in yourself. I blend aspects of the other schools into the work depending on what you require and work creatively and using trauma informed body approaches to assist brain body recovery.

You might consider counselling if you are experiencing persistent emotional distress, facing significant life changes, or struggling with personal issues that feel overwhelming. Seeking support can be beneficial even if when you can’t name the specific problem. If you are thinking or ruminating about an issue it can help to move that conversation out of your head and speaking to someone else could ease your burden.

One of the advantages of the counselling relationships is I am not a stakeholder in your life, I will champion and support you through our work but unlike friends or family I am independent and not directly impacted by you making changes. Often our friends and family want to offer advice and ease our problems. This reduces your independence to solve this issue for yourself and makes you less likely to implement the advice offered by another.

It can be challenging to discuss the darker, more painful thoughts we hold with those we love, as a trained professional with 20 years working in the emergency services, I have the capacity to hold and assist you when these thoughts are predominant.

You might consider counselling if you are experiencing persistent emotional distress, facing significant life changes, or struggling with personal issues that feel overwhelming. Seeking support can be beneficial even if you don't have a specific problem. If you are thinking or ruminating about an issue where it is causing a distraction it can help to move that conversation out of your head and speaking about it with someone could ease your burden.

One of the advantages of the counselling relationships is that I am not involved in your life, I will champion and support you through our work but unlike friends or family I am independent and not directly impacted. Often our friends and family want to offer advice and ease our problems. This reduces your independence to solve this yourself and unless you truly support a solution and believe it, why would you implement it. It can be challenging to discuss the darker, more painful thoughts we hold with those we love as a trained professional with 20 years working in the emergency services. I have the capacity to hold and assist you when these thoughts are predominant.

In our first session we will complete a contract and assessment, this will map out our plan for the work and timescale for reviews. This could be a plan for short or long-term work and an opportunity for you to discuss your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgement.

The environment is confidential and non-judgmental. Sessions can consist of talking or creative work or exercise designed to calm the nervous system and bring mind and body alignment.

The best way to answer this is through booking a free discovery call, there is no obligation to book anything following the call but time to explain what you are experiencing will allow me to make a recommendation for you.

I offer one place at half price. This is designed for someone who could not access therapy at the full rate and can be accessed in-person to allow me to give back to my local community. The sessions are limited to 12 weeks maximum allowing me to see 4 people per year at this rate.

If you would like to discuss at this rate, then please contact me to discuss.  

My 12 weeks group programmes is a lower access point to learn counselling skills but is not tailored to your individual needs in the same way 1:1 therapy is. This can be accessed at a discount by booking all sessions in advance and by booking early when programmes are released. Social media is the best way to keep up to date with new programme releases. I will occasionally offer free classes on Zoom and social media will be updated with details. Instagram link at top of home page.

A limited number of concessionary rates are available for counselling students and for emergency services workers.