How do I know if counselling is right for me?

You don’t need to be in crisis or have a particular diagnosis to come to counselling.

People seek counselling for many different reasons. You may be experiencing anxiety, stress, loss, relationship difficulties or simply feel that something isn’t quite right. You might want to understand yourself better, make sense of past experiences or have somewhere you can talk openly without judgement.

You don’t need to know exactly what you want to work on before you begin. We can explore that together.

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Yes. I offer a free 15-minute initial consultation.

This gives us an opportunity to briefly talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you are looking for and whether I may be the right counsellor for you.



You can also ask any questions you have before deciding whether you would like to book a session.

There is no obligation to continue afterwards.

What happens in our first counselling session?

Our first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another.

We will talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you hope to gain from it and anything you feel is important for me to understand.



I’ll also explain how we will work together, including confidentiality and boundaries.

There is no pressure to tell me everything immediately. You set the pace.

What approach to counselling do you use?

I work from a humanistic and integrative approach, with the therapeutic relationship at the heart of my work.

This means I don’t believe that one approach fits everyone. I draw on different therapeutic theories and ways of working depending on you, your experiences and what feels helpful.



My person-centred foundations mean that empathy, acceptance, authenticity and working collaboratively are central to how I practise.

Is counselling confidential?

Yes. What you share with me is treated confidentially and your privacy is taken seriously.

There are some circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, particularly where there is a serious concern about safety or where I have a legal or professional obligation to disclose information.

I will explain confidentiality and its limits clearly when we begin working together.



Do you offer online counselling?

Yes. I offer counselling and clinical supervision online, allowing you to access sessions from a private and comfortable space wherever you are.



Online counselling can be particularly helpful if travelling is difficult, you have a busy schedule or simply feel more comfortable accessing counselling from home.

Do you offer face-to-face counselling?

Yes. Face-to-face appointments are available alongside online sessions.

Please contact me to discuss current availability and which option would work best for you.

How long is a counselling session?

Standard individual counselling sessions are 50 minutes.

Young people's counselling sessions are 45 minutes.

Couples counselling sessions are usually 60 minutes, with the option of an extended 90-minute session.



Extended individual sessions are also available where appropriate.

How often will I need counselling?

There isn’t one answer that suits everyone.

Some people come to counselling weekly, while others may attend less frequently depending on their circumstances and what they need.



I don't ask you to commit to a fixed package of sessions. We can regularly review our work together and decide what feels right for you.

How many counselling sessions will I need?

his will be different for everyone.

Some people find that a relatively small number of sessions gives them what they need, while others choose to work therapeutically over a longer period.



We will regularly review how things are going rather than deciding in advance how long you should be in counselling.

What if I need to cancel or rearrange my appointment?

I understand that sometimes plans change.

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, I ask that you provide at least 48 hours' notice.



Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice may be charged at the full session fee.

Further information can be found in my Terms & Conditions.

What happens if I miss a session?

If you don't attend a booked appointment and haven't contacted me to cancel, the session may be charged at the full session fee.



If something unexpected has happened, please contact me as soon as you are able.

How much does counselling cost?

My current fees are clearly listed on my Fees page, including individual counselling, young people's counselling, couples counselling, student and reduced-fee counselling, and clinical supervision.



I believe in being transparent about costs so you know what to expect before we begin working together.

Do you offer reduced-fee counselling?

Yes. I offer a limited number of reduced-fee counselling spaces.

I also offer a reduced fee for student counsellors.



Availability can vary, so please contact me if you would like to discuss whether a reduced-fee space is currently available.

Do we have to be married to have couples counselling?

No.

Couples counselling is for relationships in all their different forms. You don't need to be married or in a particular type of relationship to access support.

Does couples counselling mean you will decide who is right or wrong?

No. My role isn't to take sides, decide who is right or tell either partner what they should do.

I aim to provide a balanced and supportive space where both of you can feel heard.



Together, we can explore communication, patterns within the relationship, difficulties you may be experiencing and what each of you needs from the relationship.

Can we come to couples counselling if we're considering separation?

Yes. Couples counselling isn't only about keeping relationships together.

Sometimes counselling helps couples reconnect and work through difficulties. At other times, it can provide a space to understand whether the relationship can continue or to navigate

separation with greater understanding and communication.



The direction of the work belongs to you as a couple.

What happens in the first couples counselling session?

The first session gives us time to begin understanding your relationship, what has brought you to counselling and what each of you hopes might change.

It is also an opportunity for both partners to ask questions and for us to discuss how couples counselling works, including confidentiality and the boundaries of our work together.



My role is to support the relationship and the therapeutic process, rather than taking the side of either partner.

Do you work with young people?

Yes. I offer counselling for young people aged 14 and over.



I aim to provide a space where a young person can feel listened to, respected and able to explore what is happening for them without judgement.

Will you tell parents or carers what a young person says in counselling?

A young person's privacy and confidentiality are important parts of building a trusting therapeutic relationship.

I won't routinely share what a young person talks about in their sessions with a parent or carer.



There are limits to confidentiality, particularly if I become seriously concerned about a young person's safety or wellbeing. These boundaries will be explained clearly before counselling begins.

Do you work with counselling students?

Yes. I enjoy supporting counselling students as they develop both personally and professionally.

I offer reduced-fee individual counselling for student counsellors, subject to availability.



I understand that training can involve considerable self-reflection and personal development, and counselling can provide a separate confidential space in which to explore this.

Do you offer clinical supervision?

Yes. I provide humanistic and integrative clinical supervision for both trainee and qualified counsellors.



My approach is relational and collaborative, providing space to explore client work, ethical practice, professional development and your experience of yourself as a practitioner.

What is your approach to supervision?

My supervision practice is grounded in a humanistic and integrative approach.

I draw on a range of supervisory perspectives, including the Seven-Eyed Model, developmental approaches and an anti-oppressive lens.

Supervision isn't simply about reviewing client work. It is also a space to think, reflect, notice what may be happening within therapeutic relationships and support your continuing development as a practitioner.

Do you supervise trainee counsellors?

Yes. I offer supervision specifically for trainee counsellors, recognising that training brings its own opportunities and challenges.



We can explore client work alongside skills development, theory, ethical practice, placement requirements, feedback and your developing identity as a counsellor.