To find out more about me as a counsellor, please keep reading. You can view my fees & availability here.
About me
My approach to counselling is Humanistic and I am trained in Gestalt, Transactional Analysis and Person-Centred modalities. I work in an integrative way to tailor these different approaches to your needs, putting you at the centre of the process.
Humanistic therapy focuses on you as a ‘whole’. It encourages you to think about your feelings and take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. The emphasis is on self-development, growth and achieving your highest potential.
I have always been passionate about helping others and in addition to private practice, I continue to work for a charity that offers an extensive counselling service. I have worked with clients from all walks of life and am experienced in working with areas such as anxiety, stress, depression, loss, relationship difficulties and trauma.
My Commitment to Good Practice
I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and work in accordance with their ethical framework and standards.
I have regular supervision sessions and undertake training courses and workshops for my continuing professional development.
I hold personal indemnity and public liability insurance which covers working face to face, online and by telephone.
My Training and Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Humanistic Counselling (Middlesex University)
- Diploma in Humanistic Counselling (Metanoia Institute)
- Certificate in Working with Shame
- Certificate in Developmental Trauma
- Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling Skills
A problem shared
I can help you if you are experiencing issues that are causing you distress. Many of us will feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed or ‘stuck’ and it takes courage to ask for help, but you don’t have to struggle to work things out on your own. Finding someone to talk to, when you feel this way, is a sign of strength and regardless of what has brought you to this point, it’s about where you go from here that matters.
Speak in Confidence
I offer a safe, compassionate and confidential environment where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In the counselling space you can speak freely knowing that you will not be judged.
Deeper understanding
Many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. As we build a trusting and collaborative relationship we will work together to make sense of what you’re thinking and feeling.
Healthier choices
Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help understand what might be causing your problems and issues. I can provide insight, support, and strategies to help you move forward.
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that a counsellor can provide support with:
- Abuse
- Anger management
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Cancer
- Depression
- Health related issues
- Infertility
- Loss
- Personal development
- Pregnancy related issues
- Relationships
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Stress
- Trauma
- Work related issues
My location
I work from a therapy room located at Kingsclere Counselling Service, which is based on a farm, on the main road between Basingstoke and Newbury. It is approximately a 10-minute journey from Basingstoke town centre. There is parking available and it is on a bus route.
In addition to providing face-to-face therapy, I also offer online video or telephone sessions for clients in the Hampshire area and beyond.
Please contact me for more information on how this works.
Fees & availability
The quality of the relationship between a client and counsellor is crucial for therapy to be effective and successful. Our relationship will be an important part of your journey, so I offer a free 30 minute telephone or online video call for us to get to know each other.
The meeting offers you the opportunity to outline your concerns, ask questions and decide if I am the 'right fit' for you. It also means that I can be confident that I’m well placed to support you and help you grow. Please email me to arrange this.
Following this, we can schedule a 75-minute initial assessment session charged at £75.
Subsequent sessions are 50 minutes and are charged at £60.
Fees are payable in advance of each session, by bank transfer. Cancellations, with no charge, require 48 hours’ notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
My aim is to offer a no obligation online video meeting or telephone call within 5 days. If you then wish to proceed with counselling then I would aim to offer a first appointment, known as an initial assessment, within 2 weeks. This would depend on us finding a convenient time for you where I also have availability.
There’s no fixed or ideal length of time for the counselling process; it varies from person to person and will often depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. While I can work on an open-ended basis with clients, I find it is helpful for us to both agree before we start on undertaking a certain number of sessions and reviewing where we are at once we reach that point. You are able to decide how long your therapy will last, and in return my aim is to make sure therapy continues for only as long as it is of benefit to you.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private and this is one of the main ways counselling differs from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of our sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
There are some situations where I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. In particular, if a client tells me that they are thinking of harming themselves in a way that I believe puts them at serious risk, or if a client tells me that they are doing something that could put others at risk, I may not be able to keep such information confidential.
If something like this came up, I would talk with you about it. Where possible, I would not break confidence without your prior knowledge and, ideally, consent.
I am expected to break confidentiality in three cases involving the law being broken: terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering.
During counselling you may need to explore thoughts or behaviours about which you feel ashamed or embarrassed and you may censor yourself if a friend or relative is in attendance. Sometimes family or friends can part of an underlying issue which needs to be aired and discussed.
Feeling anxious about coming to counselling is quite normal, and you will not be forced to talk about anything you feel uncomfortable about, but you do need to be able to talk about whatever is important to you. For this reason, I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.
Testimonials
Get in touch
If you have any questions, or would like to arrange an appointment, please contact me by filling out my enquiry form, or calling me on 07941 518808.
If I am unable to speak to you in person, please leave me a message on my confidential voicemail and I will get back to you within 24 hours. Please check your Junk Mail if you haven't received a response to an email as I always reply. You can view my Privacy Policy/Contract here.