What counselling is like with me
Most people don't come to counselling with a clear
explanation of what's wrong. Many arrive knowing
something isn't right, feeling stuck in the same patterns, or
carrying things they haven't spoken about before. Others arrive with a
very clear idea of what they want to talk about. I can work with both.
To work with me, there's no pressure to prepare, plan what to say, or even have a clear goal. Sometimes the first few sessions are simply about getting your thoughts out of your head and into the room. Together, we can take the time to understand what's happening, what might be contributing to it, and what feels important to you.
To work with me, there's no pressure to prepare, plan what to say, or even have a clear goal. Sometimes the first few sessions are simply about getting your thoughts out of your head and into the room. Together, we can take the time to understand what's happening, what might be contributing to it, and what feels important to you.
To work with me, there's no pressure to prepare, plan what to say, or even have a clear goal
What I offer in counselling
I offer what is called humanistic counselling, specifically Person-Centred counselling. In practice, this means I won't tell you what decisions to make, give you advice, or try to direct your life in a particular direction. I won't analyse you or look for something that's "wrong" with you.
Instead, I aim to offer a calm, genuine and accepting relationship where you can speak openly without fear of judgement. I'll do my best to understand your experience from your point of view and help you make sense of it in a way that feels meaningful to you.
I'll use my training, experience and counselling skills to help you explore what's going on for you and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. That understanding can be a powerful step towards lasting change.
You don't need to be in crisis to come to counselling, and you don't need to wait until things get worse before reaching out
How counselling works with me
Whether we talk online, over the phone or face to face; counselling with me moves at your pace. Some people want to talk about current difficulties. Others find themselves exploring experiences from years ago. Often, the two are connected.
There is no right way to do counselling. You don't need to be in crisis to come to counselling, and you don't need to wait until things get worse before reaching out.
This is about your exploration and your growth, rooted in acceptance.
In person, online or telephone
sessions
My face to face counselling is offered in Calverley, Leeds. I work from Rooms @ 1900, where we can speak in private and without interruption.
I also offer counselling online through Microsoft Teams or by telephone. For many people, the idea of having counselling without sitting in the same room as their counsellor can feel unusual at first. However, many are surprised by how quickly the technology fades into the background and the conversation becomes the focus.
Whether we meet face to face, online or speak by phone, the most important part of counselling remains the same: having a space where you can talk openly and feel heard. All you need is a private space where you feel able to talk, a reliable internet connection for online sessions or a charged phone for telephone sessions, and a place where you can speak without interruption.
The first session
The first session is simply a chance for us to meet and begin to understand what has brought you to counselling. We'll spend some time talking through how counselling works, the practical arrangements, and any questions you may have. I'll also explain our counselling agreement so that you understand what to expect and can decide whether counselling with me feels right for you.
There is no pressure to tell your whole story in the first session. You can start wherever feels right. If you're unsure whether counselling is for you, or whether I'm the right counsellor for you, I offer a free introductory call. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, learn a little more about how I work, and get a sense of whether we might work well together.
I offer the space and time for you to talk openly and honestly about whatever feels important to you. It's more than just a chat
More about person centred
counselling
The approach I use is called Person-Centred Counselling. You don't need to know anything about counselling theory to benefit from it, but some people like to understand a little more about how it works, so I've written an overview here.
Person-Centred Counselling is simply the name given to the way I work. In practice, it means I won't tell you what decisions to make, give you homework, or try to direct your life in a particular direction. Instead, I offer the space and time for you to talk openly and honestly about whatever feels important to you. It's more than just a chat. My role is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, notice patterns, and help you explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences in greater depth.
Sometimes this leads to new insights. Sometimes things begin to make more sense. Sometimes it can simply be a relief to say out loud what has been carried alone for a long time. I won't assume I know you better than you know yourself, and I won't look at you as a problem that needs fixing. What works for me, or for somebody else, may not be right for you. Instead, I trust that, with the right support, you can discover your own insights, answers and next steps.
What I will offer is acceptance, honesty, understanding and a genuine curiosity about your experience. Many people spend much of their lives feeling they need to hide parts of themselves, stay strong for others, or cope alone. Counselling offers a rare opportunity to put some of that down for a while and speak freely without fear of judgement.
Although I bring training, experience and counselling skills, meaningful change often begins when people feel understood, accepted and safe enough to explore what is really going on beneath the surface.
That is what Person-Centred Counselling means to me. It creates the conditions for growth, rooted in acceptance.