Counselling is a talking therapy that gives us the opportunity to explore our problems with a trained listener.

It’s sometimes difficult to access emotions, and other times strong feelings are difficult to manage. Talking with a counsellor can help us safely feel our feelings and work through them. These might include stress, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, shame, grief, and loneliness, to name but a few.

Sometimes it's our thinking that troubles us. We may be tormented by negative, circular, or intrusive thoughts; we may be in a dilemma or stuck and unable to make an important decision; we may be in crisis and have suicidal thoughts. Counselling can offer clarity and peace of mind.

Other times we need someone to talk to because we find it difficult to look after ourselves, or we need help with addictive or compulsive behaviours. Through counselling, it’s possible to get to the bottom of the behaviour and find a way to live differently.

How we are today is often a product of past experience, and it may be important to talk about past trauma, abuse, neglect, or loss, in order to process what has happened to us.

Our problems often concern relationships. Patterns of relating may unconsciously be repeated, but by making links between past and present it’s possible to improve self-awareness and break the cycle.

In this way counselling can improve our relationship with others as well as the way we feel within ourselves. Issues such as self-image, identity and sexuality can be usefully explored in counselling.

When you contact me we will arrange a time to talk about what is troubling you and explore what you wish to gain from counselling. I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation that will give us the chance to work out whether we feel comfortable working together. 

Typically, sessions last 50 minutes and occur at the same time weekly. They tend to be open-ended, but you may prefer to come for a fixed number of sessions. I may offer ad-hoc sessions by arrangment for those unable to make a regular commitment.

Some people use the time to talk about events from their week, while others choose to bring problems or revisit past traumas. My role is to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space to help explore your thoughts and feelings.

• I offer a lower rate of £46 for sessions that occur before 3pm. For sessions that fall after this time, the fee is £54. 

• I have a number of low-income / training counsellor reduced-fee slots available - please enquire for details. 

• Fees are payable by invoice at the end of each month.