Discover Your Strength, Navigate Life's Challenges
A Bit About Me
Hello and welcome!
I began my counselling journey 9 years ago when I realised I wasn't happy with my job, and decided on a career change into something I feel passionate about. I have always wanted to "make a difference" and counselling really can do that. I love my work, helping my clients to explore and reflect on difficulties or problems they are experiencing.
I understand that a decision to start counselling can feel a little daunting but it is the first step to understanding yourself and a journey of self discovery.
My Approach
As a counsellor, my role is to provide space and guidance to help you on your journey of self-discovery. To enable you to examine your life and to make new meaningful choices within it.
I am predominantly a person centred counsellor, which means that I am empathic and non-judgemental.
I deliver a safe, supportive and empathic space, allowing you to feel that you can open up and share thoughts and feelings that are difficult to process. The therapy room is about “you” and I provide the unconditional positive regard to help you to draw on your own inner self, in order to enjoy a more satisfying fuller life. I prefer to use a Person Centred approach within the therapy room but will use a range of different approaches when I feel they are appropriate in order to benefit you. My approach is very much tailored to each of my clients in order to ensure that my therapeutic relationship with each client is bespoke.
Counselling isn’t about me giving you advice or solutions, but empowering you to make your own changes. Together we can explore your situation in a way that leads to fresh perspectives, and perhaps a new understanding of yourself.
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression - many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of what’s causing these problems - and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
MAKE BETTER, HEALTHIER NEW CHOICES
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and see how you can start to make better, heathier choices moving forward.
CONTACT ME
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07442 459870 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
MY LOCATION
I am based in Curbridge, Southampton and see people from the surrounding areas including Whiteley and Botley. I also provide online and telephone counselling to people throughout the UK.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
I offer a free 15-minute phone call, to introduce myself and give clients an opportunity to ask me any questions they may have before starting their therapeutic journey. Email me to enquire.
Initial assessments last for 50 minutes and are £45.
FEES & AVAILABILITY
My counselling sessions last for 50 minutes and cost £45. Sessions are usually weekly and take place in person in my therapy space. I also provide an online service via zoom for clients who prefer this or via telephone.
For cancellations I require 24 hours’ notice, otherwise payment for the session will need to be taken.
I accept payment in cash and bank transfer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
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