HOW COUNSELLING CAN HELP
A space to be heard, understood and supported
There are times when it can be difficult to make sense of our thoughts and feelings on our own.
You may be dealing with anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties, a major life change, or simply a sense that something doesn’t feel quite right.
Counselling offers you the opportunity to speak openly in a calm and confidential space, without judgement and without pressure to have everything worked out.
Together, we can explore what is happening for you, begin to understand patterns or experiences more clearly and consider what might help you move forward.
There is no fixed formula.
The work is shaped around you, your experiences and what you need from counselling.
MY APPROACH
Person-centred, integrative counselling
My approach is primarily person-centred and integrative.
Person-centred counselling is based on the belief that you are the expert in your own life.
Rather than telling you what to do, I aim to offer a warm, honest and accepting relationship where you can explore your experiences safely and at your own pace.
The integrative element means I can draw on different therapeutic ideas and approaches where they may be helpful, rather than working from one rigid model.
This allows our sessions to respond to you as an individual.
The relationship we build is an important part of the process, and I will always aim to work with empathy, compassion, curiosity and respect.
COUNSELLING IN CHELTENHAM
Face-to-face counselling
I offer in-person counselling from a dedicated therapy room in central Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The room provides a calm, private and welcoming environment where you can step away from the demands of everyday life and focus entirely on yourself.
Sessions are confidential and take place in a comfortable setting close to public transport and parking.
Some people find that having a separate physical space for counselling helps them to slow down, reflect and feel more present in the session.
COUNSELLING ACROSS THE UK
Online counselling
If travelling to Cheltenham isn’t practical, I also offer online counselling sessions across the UK.
Online counselling provides the same confidential and supportive therapeutic relationship while allowing you to attend sessions from a place where you feel comfortable.
It can be particularly useful if you live further away, travel regularly, have limited mobility or simply prefer the flexibility of meeting online.
All you need is a quiet, private space and a reliable internet connection.
The way we work together remains the same: warm, collaborative and centred around you.
ABOUT ME
What can we explore together?
People come to counselling for many different reasons.
You may be experiencing:
You don’t need to fit into a particular category for counselling to be worthwhile.
Sometimes people begin therapy simply because they want the opportunity to understand themselves better or explore something that has been on their mind for a long time.
Your first counselling session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin exploring what has brought you to counselling.
We can talk about what you are experiencing, what you would like support with and what you hope counselling might help you understand or change.
There is no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what to say. The first session also gives you the opportunity to experience how I work and decide whether you feel comfortable continuing.
If we both feel that working together is a good fit, we can arrange ongoing sessions.
Ongoing counselling
Counselling sessions usually take place weekly and last 50 minutes.
Therapy can be either short or longer term, depending on your circumstances and what feels helpful for you.
There is no fixed number of sessions that you must attend.
As our work develops, we will regularly review how things are going and whether the sessions are continuing to meet your needs.
When you feel ready to bring counselling to an end, we can work towards this together in a thoughtful and planned way.
A FLEXIBLE WAY OF WORKING
Creativity can sometimes help us express what words cannot
Alongside counselling, I have a background in art and creativity.
For some people, talking is exactly what they need. For others, there may be times when it feels difficult to put an experience or emotion into words.
Where appropriate, and only if it feels comfortable for you, we can incorporate simple creative approaches or art materials into our work together.
There is absolutely no need to be artistic or have any previous experience.
It is simply another possible way of exploring thoughts, feelings and experiences when words alone don’t feel enough.
Not sure whether counselling is right for you?
Choosing a counsellor is personal, and it’s important that you feel comfortable with the person you decide to work with.
I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute phone or video call before you book a counselling session.
This gives us an opportunity to briefly talk about what has brought you to counselling, answer any questions you may have and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
There is no pressure to continue afterwards.