Counselling
Taking the first step to reach out can be incredibly challenging and may bring about feelings of apprehension or uncertainty. This space is devoted to you and moving forward at your own pace. When you're ready, we can begin a conversation, free from any pressure or preconceived expectations on my part. Above all, your sense of comfort and your autonomy will always remain central to this process.
A free 15-minute call
Before we begin
Before we begin working together, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. It’s a chance for you to tell me a little about what’s brought you to counselling, ask any questions you have, and get a feel for whether we might be a good fit.
My approach
I’m a person-centred counsellor, which means I don’t believe in fixing people. You’re not broken. You don’t need to be fixed. My approach is shaped by listening, understanding, and respecting your experience.
This space gives you room to reflect, notice what’s coming up, and understand yourself more clearly.
What I do believe is that every person has the capacity to understand themselves and find their own way forward, given the right conditions. My role in your journey isn’t to hand you answers or steer you toward a particular outcome. It’s to offer you a space that feels genuinely safe, where you’re heard without judgement and accepted without condition. From that place, something shifts. It doesn’t always happen quickly, but it happens.
This is also a neurodivergent affirming practice. Whether you’re living with a diagnosis, exploring one, or simply know that your brain works differently, you’ll find no assumptions here. Just a space that meets you as you are.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rogers
Sessions
In person, online or by phone
I provide both short-term and long-term therapy tailored to your needs. Each session lasts 50 minutes and is generally scheduled weekly, though there's flexibility based on your preferences. During our initial meeting, we'll explore the duration of our work together and regularly review your progress to ensure the approach suits you.
You have the option to meet in person at my Stockport and Altrincham practices, both centrally located with convenient parking and public transport links, or connect online via video call, or by telephone. Whichever setting you prefer, you'll have a confidential space dedicated entirely to you. If attending sessions in person is challenging, online and telephone options provide accessible alternatives, ensuring that logistical barriers won't stand in the way of your support.
What I can help with
People come to counselling for all kinds of reasons, and you don’t need to be at breaking point to reach out. Some of the things we can work through together:
Anxiety & low mood
Grief & loss
Relationship difficulties
Emotional overwhelm
Late diagnoses & ADHD
Family dynamics
Depression
Stress & burnout
Self-doubt & perfectionism
Questions of identity
Trauma
Life transitions
I also have a particular interest in supporting people navigating late diagnoses, ADHD, trauma and struggles with family dynamics. I have a lot of understanding and empathy for those who’ve spent years trying to fit into environments that weren’t built for them, whether that’s in work, in relationships, or just in the world generally. That feeling of not quite belonging somewhere can leave a mark and I aim to provide a space where the impact of this can be explored openly.
I also support younger individuals, aged 18 and above, especially those experiencing periods of major change when life can feel unpredictable. The expectation to have everything mapped out can be daunting, yet reality rarely unfolds according to a tidy schedule. There's no need to have every detail decided, even if external pressures suggest otherwise. Life's journey is often winding, and you may still be discovering your own path and working things out in your own way.
Do I need a referral from my GP to see you?
No, you don’t. You can get in touch with me directly, no referral needed. If you’re ready to talk, we can get started.
I’ve never experienced counselling before. What if I don’t know what to say?
That’s more common than you think, and it’s absolutely fine. There’s no script and no right or wrong way to do this. We start wherever you are, even if that’s just “I’m not really sure where to begin.” That’s enough.
How long will I need to come for?
Honestly, it depends. Some people find that a handful of sessions gives them what they need. Others prefer something longer term. There’s no fixed plan and no pressure either way. We work that out together as we go.
Do you work with neurodivergent clients?
Yes, and it’s something I care about deeply. I’m a neurodivergent person myself, so I understand what it’s like to navigate spaces that don’t always feel built for you. This is an affirming, non-judgmental space where being yourself is enough, without masking or needing to explain.
How confidential are the sessions?
Everything we discuss stays between us. Confidentiality is a core part of therapy, and what you share in our sessions is kept private and protected.
There are a few exceptions, and I’ll always aim to be open about these. If I believe there’s a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or a safeguarding concern, I have a professional duty to act. The same applies if information is required by law. These situations are rare, and wherever possible, we would talk it through together first.
Are there situations where person-centred counselling might not be the right fit?
There are some situations where I may not be the best person to support you. If you’re currently in an active mental health crisis, or would benefit from more specialist or intensive support, it’s important you have the right level of care.
I also don’t usually offer sessions alongside other one-to-one therapy or structured mental health support.
What’s the difference between online and in-person sessions?
Less than you might expect. Both are confidential, both last 50 minutes, and both offer the same quality of support. Online and telephone sessions simply give you more flexibility, especially if getting to a practice isn’t always easy. It really comes down to what works best for you.
What if I’m not sure counselling is right for me?
That’s exactly what the free 15-minute consultation is for. It’s a no-obligation call where you can ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide whether it feels like the right fit. There’s no pressure to commit to anything.
Start here
That’s okay. Get in touch and we can figure it out together.