Your Counselling Experience With Me
Relief From Distress
Seeking comfort and relief from our distress can take strength and courage, especially if we've been hiding behind a mask of, 'I'm fine'.
I couldn't agree more with these powerful words from Carolyn Spring,
"Shame tells us that it's just us. We're the only ones to think like this, feel like this, act like this, experience life like this. But that's a lie"
Find a therapist - The confidential, non-judgemental space of therapy really can bring us relief from those difficult feelings we bottle up inside. Without a healthy outlet, such as counselling or talking to trusted others, we risk them either spilling out or consuming us somehow.
Initial Contact
If you'd like to start counselling with me, just send me your enquiry via one of the contact forms on this site.
It's useful for me to know your availability so that I can schedule a brief introductory phone call with you, or we can discuss things further by email if you prefer.
I can make recommendations in order to find a therapist if the support you need falls outside of my area of expertise.
If we feel that we could be a good match, and you feel ready, we can schedule a full initial consultation together via Zoom.
Information
When we have scheduled our initial consultation, I will email you information about working together, including how and when to pay and my cancellation policy. I try to cover everything that I think you will need to know about counselling with me, but you are very welcome to come back to me with any questions you may have.
Online Counselling
The photo on this page shows you my online counselling room. I've designed it to be a calm, private and confidential space.
The benefits of online counselling are many, including more convenience and flexibility. I have listed a few more for you here...
You can find a therapist who you otherwise may not have been able to work with... and do choose your own therapist rather than let a platform choose for you.
There is no travel needed and this will save you both time and money, not to mention the unwanted hassle of navigating traffic or public transport.
If you do find yourself running late, rather than miss your session and incur cost, you can have your session from wherever you are - your car, a quiet corner at work etc.
As long as your space is private and quiet, you can even sit outside and enjoy being in nature.
If you have mobility issues or you live in a remote place, online counselling makes therapy much more accessible.
If you are able to have your counselling sessions from your home, you will not only have the familiarity of your surroundings, but maybe also the comfort and company of your pets, your slippers and your favourite wrap or throw to feel snug. Add in a nice warming drink and this environment will be therapeutic in itself ~ and one that you may like to try and consistently create for yourself, in between sessions.
There are many studies freely available that show the effectiveness of online counselling is equal to that of in-person counselling. Like all therapies it will suit some people and not others. Just as working in-person does not suit everyone.
Inclusivity
We are all the same in that we are all human, and yet we are all completely unique with differing needs. To find a therapist who is right for us can feel daunting. I suggest that you trust your gut, that felt sense that we all have, and have also likely ignored at times in our lives.
Working with and respecting a person's values and beliefs, and safely and effectively addressing the needs of each client is what my practice is primarily about.
I welcome all people to my practice, no matter their religion, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, gender identity, size...
Everyone deserves a safe and effective therapeutic experience. Sometimes this may mean that I am not the best choice of therapist for a particular client, and to work with, or continue to work with them regardless of this knowledge, would be unethical.
If a situation arises where I am not a match for a client's needs, for whatever reason, we will discuss this together and I will support a referral to alternative therapists.
I am committed to my Continuing Professional Development, and as I love learning, especially about people, I really do embrace this.