Counselling is a joint endeavour between yourself and a professional who is trained to listen to your issues and concerns. It is a process of exploration and discovery, taking place within a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment. The aim is to help you gain a better understanding of yourself, others in your life and the challenges you are facing.

These insights often help identify patterns of behaviour or other obstacles that may be preventing you from overcoming your difficulties. As the counselling sessions progress you might explore opportunities for change, as well as develop coping strategies and skills to help you move forward with your life in a more positive and fulfilled way.

Put simply, two people sit in a room and talk for a set amount of time each week with the aim of addressing and overcoming particular feelings or difficulties.

I am there to provide a safe and confidential space, to listen without judgement and offer support and understanding of whatever issues you wish to bring to our sessions. I will ask questions; questions that will lead you on a journey of exploration and discovery so that you can develop a better understanding of yourself or others in your life. It may feel difficult at times and there may be tears and laughter along the way but unearthing these insights is what can make change possible.

You might be feeling confused, anxious, stressed or overwhelmed. Perhaps all of things. People come to counselling for any number of reasons. They may be prompted by a significant life event such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown, or they may wish to identify and break unhealthy patterns of behaviour.

Others won’t have a specific reason but will be experiencing a general sense of unhappiness or anxiety that they wish to make sense of.

If you have reached a point whereby you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with certain feelings or situations, talking to a trained professional can be a hugely positive step in addressing those issues and helping pave the way to resolution.

Clients tell me that by taking the time to voice their concerns and answer difficult questions in a confidential space, away from their daily lives, allows an opportunity for clarity and understanding they would not have experienced otherwise.

There is no right or wrong reason to come to counselling, people come for any number of reasons. Sometimes it will be as a result of a significant life event or particular feelings. Sometimes it can be more complex; a general feeling of unhappiness that is difficult to make sense of.

Below is a list of the issues I have experience dealing with. It is by no means an exhaustive list and I am happy to discuss whatever issues you would like to bring to our sessions.

Abortion,  Abuse, Anxiety,  Attachment disorder, Autism,  Bereavement, Bullying, Cancer, Carer support, Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, Depression, Disabilities, Discrimination, Dissociation, Gender dysphoria, HIV/AIDS, Infertility, LGBTQ+, Loneliness, Low self-confidence, Low self-esteem, Miscarriage, Pregnancy and birth, Racism, Redundancy, Relationship problems, Stress, Work-related stress

The relationship between counsellor and client is fundamental to the success of the process. It’s really important that you feel comfortable talking openly and honestly with me, which is why I offer a free 15-minute call at the outset to help you decide whether I am the right counsellor for you.

I offer an initial 15-minute phonecall, free of charge, to answer any questions and help you decide whether I am the right counsellor for you. Thereafter, counselling sessions are charged at a rate of £60 for 50 minutes.

Individual sessions are 50 minutes in duration and can be booked one at a time or in a block. The overall number of sessions will depend on the nature of what you wish to explore and the pace at which you feel comfortable to work.

Some clients will come for a few sessions of short-term counselling to look at a specific issue; others will choose to work for a longer period on an open-ended basis. When we meet we can talk through what feels right for you and we can review these arrangements at any time.

This is for you to decide. As our sessions progress it’s likely the thoughts and feelings that prompted you to seek counselling in the first place will not be felt in the same way. The hope is that you will reach a point of understanding and resolution and feel empowered to make positive choices and implement changes, and furthermore, feel equipped with strategies and skills to enable you to move forward with your life in a more positive way.