How I Work
A different kind of conversation
There's no single approach that works for everyone. What helps one person might not help another, and what you need from counselling might change as we go.
That's why I work collaboratively, starting by understanding your story and what you're hoping for, then figuring out together what's actually going to help.
Starting Out
The first stage is always about understanding your story, what has brought you here, and what you'd like to be different.
I often ask a simple question early on: if you woke up tomorrow and things had genuinely shifted for the better, what would that look like? It sounds straightforward, but it opens up a lot. It helps us understand not just what feels difficult right now, but what you're actually hoping for, and that shapes everything that follows.
Working to your preferences
Some people want above all to be heard. To tell their story to someone who will really listen, without judgment and without an agenda. For many people, that experience alone is genuinely valuable.
Others want more structure, practical tools, a clearer sense of direction, or a more active approach. Many people need both at different points.
I adapt to what you need. If something isn't working, we talk about it and change direction. You're the expert on yourself. My role is to bring the right support at the right time, not to impose a fixed way of working.
A range of approaches
There's no fixed programme. We draw on whatever combination of approaches is most useful for you, and that can change as we go.
These include, but are not limited to:
Person-centred counselling: creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel genuinely heard and understood
Psychodynamic approaches: exploring how past experiences and relationships shape how you feel and behave today
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): building psychological flexibility and reconnecting with what matters most to you
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour
Narrative therapy: examining and reframing the stories we tell about ourselves and our lives
Somatic and body-based approaches: working with the connection between mind, body and nervous system
Mindfulness and grounding techniques: practical tools for managing anxiety, overwhelm and difficult emotions
These are starting points, not a fixed menu.
Mind and Body
There is compelling evidence that mental and physical wellbeing are deeply interconnected. Alongside the work we do in sessions, I will often suggest things to try between appointments: breathwork, movement, time in nature, sleep and other ways of supporting your nervous system.
These are offerings, not homework. You take what feels useful and leave what doesn't.
Ready to take the first step?
The first step is an initial conversation, usually around 30 minutes. It is a chance for us to meet, for you to share what has brought you to counselling, and for both of us to get a sense of whether working together feels right.
There is no pressure and no commitment. If you would like to arrange an initial conversation or simply ask a question, get in touch in whatever way feels easiest.