Counselling is a professional, therapeutic relationship where you can explore emotional difficulties, life experiences, and inner conflicts in a safe, confidential space. It involves talking with a trained counsellor who listens without judgment, helps you reflect, and supports you in gaining deeper self-understanding.

According to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), counselling is a process that enables you to explore concerns and make positive choices, changes, or develop greater resilience. It can help with a range of issues including anxiety, grief, stress, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, or simply feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Counselling is not about giving advice or fixing you — it’s about working together to better understand what you need, what has shaped you, and how you can move forward with more clarity and self-compassion.

You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, lost, or simply unsure — that in itself can be a sign that it’s worth reaching out. Counselling might be right for you if you’re curious about your emotions, want to understand yourself more deeply, or feel ready to make sense of your past and present experiences.

Sometimes people come to therapy with a clear issue, and other times with a vague sense that something isn’t quite right. Both are valid. An initial conversation can help you explore whether this is the right time, and whether working together feels like a good fit. You don’t need to have all the answers before you begin — we’ll find them together.

Our first session is designed to give us time and space to explore what’s bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask some gentle questions about your current concerns, your background, and what you’re hoping for from the work. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable — there’s no pressure.

It’s also a chance for you to get a feel for how I work, ask any questions, and consider whether this space feels safe and supportive for you. A good therapeutic relationship is key, so this session helps us both decide whether we’re a good fit to continue working together.

Finding the right counsellor is a personal and important decision. What matters most is that you feel safe, understood, and able to speak freely. The relationship between us — often called the therapeutic alliance — is at the heart of effective therapy.

I’m a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which means I work in line with their ethical framework and professional standards. I have completed accredited training in integrative counselling and continue to engage in regular continuing professional development (CPD) to deepen my practice and ensure I offer safe, ethical, and up-to-date support.

Our first call and initial session give you a chance to get a sense of how I work and whether we feel like a good fit. If it doesn’t feel quite right, that’s absolutely okay — and I’ll be happy to help you explore other options. Therapy should feel like a space where you can truly be yourself.

Yes, counselling is confidential. What you share in our sessions is treated with respect and privacy. I will not share what you tell me with anyone else, except in rare circumstances where I have a legal or ethical duty to do so — for example, if there is serious risk of harm to yourself or others, or if required by law.

We’ll go over confidentiality in more detail during our first session, so you know exactly what to expect and can feel safe and supported in the work.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people come for just a few sessions to work through a specific issue, while others find longer-term therapy more helpful for exploring deeper patterns or long-standing concerns.

We’ll go at a pace that feels right for you. Together, we’ll regularly review how the work is going and what you’re finding helpful, so you can make an informed choice about how long you’d like to continue. You're never locked in — therapy is your space, and you’re in control of how you use it.

We usually begin with weekly sessions, as this helps build a consistent and trusting therapeutic relationship. Over time, depending on your needs and progress, we may agree to meet fortnightly or explore a different frequency that feels right for you.

We’ll regularly check in together to ensure the pace and structure of the work continues to support you.