Counselling is all about change, changing things that we can and accepting those we cannot. Once you have an awareness and understanding of why things are happening in your life, you have the opportunity to make changes.  For whatever reason you decided to have counselling, positive change will occur when you commit to changing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Counselling is often the first place where disturbing, distressing and perhaps traumatic memories and events are acknowledged. It is important that you are prepared for this. Be honest about the material you feel comfortable working on yet be open enough to trust me.  A good clinician is attuned to their clients’ experiences and knows when to alter the pace and direction of the intervention.

Although I specialise in anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship and family issues, I have experience working across a broad variety of issues including stress, depression, loss and grief, or just feel stuck and need to be heard. I have a vast array of tools and techniques that have been incredibly beneficial in helping improve the lives of those that I work with.

The relationship between us is key to supporting you in your journey. It is therefore important for you to choose a counsellor that makes you feel safe, accepted and treated with respect and perhaps also challenges you in a positive constructive way.

I would describe my working style as being respectful and collaborative.  Whilst I am supportive, empathetic, and compassionate, I can also be very direct, interjecting when needed, so it's important to let your feelings be known to me.

The ending of sessions is important. It is a time to take stock of what has been achieved and look at what is next for you. Therefore, it is important that we end well; respectfully reviewing your journey and saying goodbye.

Counselling for Anxiety and low Self-esteem

I understand from personal experience how debilitating anxiety and low self-esteem can be. I also know how frustrating it is when someone suggests the common coping strategies, such as square breathing and expecting you to magically feel better.

We are all different and what works for one person may not work for another. If you would like some coping strategies and grounding techniques to help with the physical symptoms of anxiety, I will happily teach you some. More importantly, I will help you explore what may be causing your anxiety and/or low self-esteem, and together we will work in various ways to overcoming this.

Imagine a life without anxiety and/or low self-esteem holding you back. I can help you to achieve that and would be honoured to be a part of that journey.

Counselling for Relationship issues

Our relationships with our family, friends and work colleagues are a hugely important part of our lives. When we are having issues with one of these relationships, it tends to impact on other areas.

Many people come to me with relationship issues difficulties with their relationship with their: spouse/partner, parents, siblings, children, work colleagues or boss, and it’s making them miserable.

We explore these difficulties and what may be causing them so that changes can be made. Whilst we cannot change the way another person behaves and reacts, we can influence these behaviours and responses by adapting how we behave and communicate.

There are often patterns in our relationships, caused by our core beliefs, our behaviours and our communications style. Recognising these patterns is the first step to making changes to break this cycle.

Together we can explore these issues, even if the relationship is in the past, so that you can heal, better understand yourself and possibly the other person. This understanding is the first step in making changes that will improve and strengthen your relationship.

Appointments and fees

I offer individual counselling for young people (16+) and adults. This can be time limited sessions (6-12) or for as long as required (open ended). Each session lasts for 50 minutes, usually at the same time on the same day each week (or fortnightly) although I may be able to offer some flexibility. You can choose to stop your sessions at any time.

I predominately work in person, but I also work online via Microsoft Teams.

Appointments are available Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm and I aim to be as flexible as possible to accommodate those working shifts or from home with varying meeting times.Although therapy is usually weekly I understand this does not work for everyone, whether that be timewise or financially, therefore fortnightly is also an option.

Telephone introduction 15 minutes - complementary

Individual sessions £55.00 - Payment is by cash or bank transfer in advance or at the start if each session.

I offer concessions for student counsellors, as well as for NHS, emergency services and Military Personnel.