My approach
Connection, compassion and change
I work primarily from a psychodynamic perspective, which means that I am curious about what makes you, you - your past experiences, current relationships, hopes, motivations and deeper feelings. I would listen closely to what you say and then we would reflect together - tuning into how you feel, talking through your thoughts and linking the past and the present. Past experiences and relationships are important, as they may be informing how you feel now and how you approach life and relationships. Although the way we manage our internal worlds and relate to others is largely laid down in our early years, with awareness and understanding, we can make positive changes now and move forwards.
For example, you may have certain beliefs, behaviours, habits or ways of relating that are no longer helpful and may negatively impact your current life and relationships. These may be evident, or they can lie just out of conscious awareness. Being seen, heard and held in mind, in a non-judgemental and empathic relationship, is not only reassuring and holding, but this can also bring previously unknown thoughts and feelings into focus and provide the opportunity to work with them. I would also hope that as trust between us grows, you would feel safe to express any painful thoughts and feelings that you have been carrying and could work through emotional conflicts and burdens.
I am also aware that trauma, stress and anxiety have a huge impact on our bodies as well as our minds and work with clients to help them notice and manage what is happening within their bodies. I explain the physiological reasons behind these symptoms and this, along with grounding, breathwork and mindfulness techniques, enables clients to self-soothe and stabilise their nervous systems.
The collaborative and attentive nature of the counselling relationship is different from other relationships. Working at a pace that is right for you, I would hope that we could create a space where you can think and feel freely and explore in a way that allows you to make positive changes with regards to how you view yourself, others and how you live your life.
Some of the issues that counselling can explore:
Relationship and family issues
Stress and anxiety
Depression
Loneliness
Exploring identity and navigating change
Low confidence and self-esteem
Experience of trauma or abuse
Divorce, separation or relationship breakdown
Sexuality
Grief, loss and bereavement
Difficulties at work or in retirement
FAQs
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Counselling is £50 for a 50-minute session (I may be able to offer a concessionary fee of £35 for those on low incomes).
Our first session would be an assessment session which is also £50.
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Sessions are weekly, 50 minutes in duration and take place in the same room at the same time every week, as consistency is important.
There may be occasions when you need to reschedule and if sufficient notice is given, I will endeavour to rearrange the session. However, sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at the full fee.
I ask that all new clients review and sign a counselling agreement which outlines all the terms of our work together and what you can expect from me.
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Counselling is led by you, so you decide how long we work together.
I generally work in an open-ended way as this allows for a deeper and wider exploration of your issues. However, you may want to concentrate on something specific, so we could work in a focussed and time-specific way. The approach will depend on what you would like to get from counselling.
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I only work in-person.
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I am based at The Practice Rooms which are comfortable and conveniently located in the centre of Cheltenham (The Practice Rooms, 32 Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JP).
Please note that the rooms are accessed via a flight of stairs.
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I offer weekly in-person counselling on Mondays to Fridays (am and pm). Please note that I do not offer online or fortnightly sessions.