What actually happens in therapy?
Therapy is a dedicated space where you can talk openly about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a trained professional who listens without judgement. At its simplest, therapy is a conversation, but usually a different kind of conversation to the ones we have elsewhere in life. Therapy creates a space to thinking about patterns rather than just live inside them.
People often seek counselling when they’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to cope with emotional challenges. Therapy provides space to explore what you’re carrying and begin to understand yourself more deeply.
Counselling is tailored to your individual needs. Everyone’s story is different, and therapy adapts to meet you where you are.
The person-centred approach
My work is grounded in the person‑centred approach, developed by psychologist Carl Rogers. It’s based on the belief that, with the right conditions — empathy, acceptance, and genuine human connection — people can grow, heal, and reconnect with their true selves.
As Rogers wrote, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change.”
How can counselling help?
Counselling offers a confidential space to explore your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. It can help you understand yourself more clearly, make sense of your relationships, and find steadiness during difficult times.
Many people come to counselling when living with chronic illness, navigating the emotional impact of autoimmune conditions, or adjusting to a late ADHD diagnosis. These experiences can bring overwhelm, loneliness, identity shifts, and uncertainty. Therapy provides a place to talk openly about these feelings and feel understood.
What to expect
Sessions usually take place weekly and last 50 minutes. You can talk about anything that feels important — emotions, relationships, past experiences, or the challenges you’re facing right now. I won’t give advice or tell you what to do. Instead, I’ll support you in exploring your experiences and finding your own way forward.
Finding the right therapist
A good starting point is to use a professional directory such as Psychology Today where you can search by location, specialism and other preferences. As counselling is largely unregulated, it is important to look for therapist accreditations (such as British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)).
Feeling comfortable with your therapist is essential. To help you make an informed decision, I offer a 15 minute complimentary introductory consultation. It’s a chance for us to talk about what’s brought you here, explore how I work, and answer any questions you may have. There’s no pressure or expectation to continue.
If I’m not the right fit for your needs, I’ll do my best to help you find someone who is.
Complimentary 15 minute Introduction Consultation
During our call, we’ll talk about what led you to seek counselling and what you hope to gain from therapy. You can ask anything you need to feel confident and supported in taking the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is therapy confidential?
A. Confidentiality is a foundation of therapy. BACP members are bound by an ethical code of conduct. Confidentiality is a key part of this Your therapist should explain confidentiality clearly before or during your first session, including any limits to confidentiality. In most circumstances, what you discuss in therapy remains private, however, there are some exceptions, usually involving concerns abut serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else or if there are legal implications. These exceptions should be explained in the therapist contract and explained from the outset.
Q. Will my therapist give advice?
A. Most therapists won’t give you advice or tell you what to do. Instead, they’ll offer something that may feel more powerful: a space to explore your feelings and understand yourself better. The aim is often to help you make your own informed decisions rather than becoming dependant on your therapist. That said, depending on their approach, some therapists may suggest practical techniques, resources or coping strategies, if they think it’ll be helpful and in your best interest.
Q. Do I have to talk about my childhood?
A. No. You should never feel pressured to discuss anything you’re not ready to talk about. Some forms of therapy focus primarily on the present, while others explore how earlier experiences continue to influence your life today. Childhood often becomes relevant because early relationships shape how we experience ourselves and others later in life. Ultimately, what you choose to share is always your decision.
Q. Can therapy really help me?
A. Yes it can. Therapy can’t erase difficult experiences or guarantee that life will become problem-free. What it can do is help you understand yourself more deeply, process challenges and develop new ways of coping. It can really help you to understand what is happening for you and how you may wish to deal with things. The therapeutic relationship itself can be transformative. Having a supportive relationship built on trust, understanding and compassion can be extremely powerful and make a real difference.