Frequently Asked Questions
What is person-centred counselling?
For me, counselling is a space where you can simply be yourself. I listen with care and without judgment, offering a steady presence as you explore your feelings and experiences. Together, we create a space where you can find your own understanding, gently discovering the answers that are already within you.
What happens in a counselling session?
Each session unfolds in its own way, guided by you. You might bring what feels heaviest, or notice feelings arising as we sit together. I listen deeply, offering presence and understanding, reflecting back what I hear so you can see your own experiences more clearly.
We explore what matters to you, untangling thoughts, emotions, and memories at a pace that feels safe. Sometimes that means speaking, sometimes simply sitting with silence, noticing what comes up without pressure or expectation.
In this space, you can begin to make sense of what you are carrying. Small insights, subtle shifts, and moments of relief often appear quietly, giving you room to breathe, reflect, and connect with yourself in new ways.
How does counselling improve anxiety?
Counselling helps by creating a space to understand how anxiety works in your life and why it feels so overwhelming. Anxiety is the body’s alarm system, designed to protect us, but in today’s world it can become overactive, leaving you feeling constantly on edge. In therapy, you begin to notice the patterns that fuel your anxiety, explore the experiences that may have shaped it, and learn practical ways of responding that reduce its impact. Over time, counselling helps you relate to anxiety with greater clarity and compassion, so it no longer controls you in the same way.
How long does counselling last?
The number of sessions varies for each person. Some people find a few sessions helpful, while others choose ongoing therapy for deeper exploration and support. You are free to decide what works best for you.
What if I feel nervous or unsure about starting counselling?
It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious. Walking into this space can feel vulnerable, and I honor that. Often, just showing up is an act of courage. I will hold that nervousness gently, helping you feel safe and seen.
Is anxiety common?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns, and many people experience it at some point in their lives. In the UK, studies suggest that around 1 in 10 people live with an anxiety disorder at any given time, and far more struggle with anxiety symptoms such as constant worry, racing thoughts, or physical tension. Knowing how widespread anxiety is can be reassuring — you are not alone in what you’re feeling. At the same time, your experience is unique to you, and counselling provides a safe place to explore it in a way that honours your individual story.
How do I know if counselling is right for me?
It’s natural to wonder if counselling is right for you, and the answer doesn’t depend on having a crisis or a “big problem.” Many people come because they feel anxious, low in mood, or uncertain about themselves. Others seek support when self-worth feels fragile, when grief or loss feels overwhelming, or when past experiences, such as abuse or difficult relationships, continue to affect daily life.
You don’t need to have all the answers or know exactly what you’re feeling. If you feel stuck, weighed down, or simply in need of a safe space to reflect, coming to talk can be a step toward clarity, understanding, and relief. Every feeling you bring is valid, and every experience matters.
How do I know if counselling is helping?
The first signs of change are often quiet and easy to miss. You may notice small shifts, feeling lighter, more understood, or more in tune with yourself. Every step, however subtle, is a sign that the work we do together is beginning to take root.
From time to time, we pause to check in and notice how things are shifting. These moments allow us to reflect on your progress, review any changes, and explore what feels different in your thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. Checking in helps us see the small steps that might otherwise go unnoticed and ensures that our work together continues to support your growth in a way that feels meaningful and grounded.
From time to time, we pause to check in and notice how things are shifting. These moments allow us to reflect on your progress, review any changes, and explore what feels different in your thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. Checking in helps us see the small steps that might otherwise go unnoticed and ensures that our work together continues to support your growth in a way that feels meaningful and grounded.
How much is counselling?
Each session starts at £40, offering dedicated time and space for you to reflect, process, and care for yourself.
Discounts are available for key workers, volunteers, and NHS staff, and concessions are offered for those on lower incomes or currently unemployed. The aim is to make counselling accessible while supporting the time and space you need for healing and growth.
This hour becomes a quiet space away from the noise of daily life, where you can pause, notice what you’re feeling, and begin to make sense of your experiences.
It is a commitment to your wellbeing, a gentle act of care that can ripple through many parts of your life.
Counselling is not a quick fix. It is a process of understanding, healing, and growth.
Each session is a small but meaningful step along that journey.
Can counselling help?
Counselling can help when life feels tangled or uncertain — when thoughts race, emotions feel heavy, or you’ve lost your sense of direction.
It offers time and space to pause, to speak freely, and to be heard without judgement or pressure to be anyone but yourself.
Through gentle conversation and reflection, you begin to make sense of what you’re feeling and why.
In that understanding, change often begins quietly — a little more clarity, a softer inner voice, a growing trust in your own way forward.
Counselling doesn’t give ready-made answers.
It helps you find your own.
What is a counsellor?
A counsellor offers a steady, compassionate space where you can bring whatever feels heavy or unclear.
They listen with care, without judgement or expectation, allowing your thoughts and feelings to unfold at their own pace.
In this shared space, you are gently supported to understand yourself more deeply, to find your own answers, and to move toward healing in a way that feels true to you.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. What you share with me stays with me, with very few exceptions, such as if someone’s safety is at risk. This is a space for honesty, trust, and openness—a place where you can be entirely yourself.