How does counselling work?

If you feel like you'd like to give counselling a shot, and that you'd like to give me a try as your counsellor, you can send me an email or give me a call.

We will have an initial chat over the phone (15 to 20 minutes) to find out a bit more about each other. This will be a chance for you to decide if you really want to work with me, and it will allow me to decide if I can help you with whatever is going on for you. If we both want to go ahead, we will find a time that suits us both for a first face-to-face session.

How much does a session cost?

My fee is between £40 and £70 for each 50 minute session. I use a sliding scale so that clients who have a higher income can help me support those on a lower income.

How many sessions will I need?

We'll use the first session to discuss your goals for therapy, your preferred approach, and we'll go through the therapeutic contract. I offer an indefinite number of sessions, so if that works for you, we can proceed on a week by week basis. However, you might find it more comfortable to set yourself a deadline, such as a certain number of sessions, or your next birthday. In that case, we'll decide together when and how you want your therapy to end. You can also take breaks whenever you need, for however long you need.

I usually work with clients on a weekly basis, but I can also offer fortnightly sessions. I can only do monthly or drop-in sessions with clients after we've been working together for a few months.

If you can't attend a session, I ask that you let me know as soon as you can. Unfortunately I will have to charge for sessions cancelled at very short notice.

Why would I join a therapy group?

Individual therapy is really useful to help you dig deep into who you are, what made you who you are, and who you want to be. Your relationship with your therapist is special: it's completely confidential, it's free of judgment, it allows you to be entirely authentic and vulnerable, it's safe.

But what if sometimes you need a bit of collective energy? The feeling of being part of a community, engaging with people who are battling the same issues you are, others who can resonate with your experience on a personal rather than a professional level? What if sometimes you want to give as much as you receive?

That's what therapy groups are for. I want to help you build a network of peers who get you, and that you can help as much as they help you.

The groups I run focus on empowering participants through mutual affirmation. We celebrate each other for what we have in common and for our unique expression. It can feel very vulnerable to be seen in a group, but that is how deep bonds are created and sustained. All groups are trauma-informed, but not trauma-focused.