More about Counselling

Person-centred counselling is a therapeutic approach that emphasises your ability to find your own solutions. It is based on the belief that you have the inherent capacity for self-healing and growth. 

In person-centred counselling, I create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I aim to connect with your experience in a non-judgemental way to help facilitate you to explore your inner world with a view to accepting your thoughts, feelings and experiences. As a person-centred therapist, I focus on the importance of building a strong and genuine therapeutic relationship with you to help you towards growth.  

Yes, counselling sessions are confidential, ensuring a safe and private space for you to share your thoughts and feelings. There are some limits to confidentiality including where I may have safeguarding concerns and in certain situations where there are legal responsibilities to report. I would talk through these exceptions in your first session, so you understand what I would need to report. You are always in control of what you share in sessions and can choose what to disclose to me. 

Anyone can benefit from counselling, regardless of age, background, or the nature of their concerns. However, at times, you may prefer a more directive approach which we can incorporate into our work together.

Yes, counselling can be highly effective in managing anxiety and depression by providing a safe space for you to explore your emotions and develop coping strategies.

Counselling can help you to improve your relationships by fostering self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication.

Yes, counselling can provide a supportive environment for you, if you have experienced trauma or abuse, helping you process your emotions and develop ways to manage the symptoms of trauma. I have undertaken training to ensure that my work is trauma informed. In working with trauma, the first step in counselling is to work together to build a therapeutic relationship where you feel safe and where your triggers are understood.

Counselling can be a valuable part of addiction recovery, providing a non-judgmental space for you to explore your motivations and develop coping mechanisms. I use a person-centred approach to addiction recovery through the use of Motivational Interviewing, to help you identify and work towards realistic changes. 

Your first session will typically involve discussing your concerns, getting to know me as a therapist, and establishing the goals of counselling. Usually we would spend some time talking through our contract and the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship.

The length of counselling varies depending on your needs and goals. You may benefit from a few sessions or you may require longer-term therapy. I like you to have the choice as to when to end sessions. We can discuss how often you would like to review sessions during our initial session. Generally, sessions last 50 minutes but I can sometimes facilitate longer or shorter sessions where there is a benefit to you. Usually, sessions take place weekly but again, I sometimes have availability for less frequent sessions.

I offer a free 15 minute introductory session via phone or online.

Sessions cost £50 for 50 minutes.

I have one low cost session per week available at £40, though there may be a longer wait for this.

If you can afford to pay more, you can pay £60 for 50 minutes which allows me to ensure continuity of offering low cost sessions.