Absolutely - in fact people often do not know what specifically it is that they need to explore and get help with, but know that something is not quite right for them. This type of therapy is recommended by the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for a wide range of issues. Note that I only work with people over the age of 18.
Counselling and coaching appointments are online or face-to face.
Absolutely and something I strongly encourage. The introduction no-obligation call lasts for around 15 minutes. It provides an opportunity for you to find out about my approach and and for me to find out if I am the right therapist for you.
The first step is to contact me by email, text, contact form or phone, to see what appointments are available. These regularly change as people start and complete their therapy. If there is a time that both of us can make, then I will arrange a free introduction call to find out a little more, introduce myself, and answer any questions. The appointment is then agree (or not) but is not finalised until the payment has been received. I work Monday to Friday, day and early evenings.
It is essential that you feel comfortable working with me, and I work hard to develop a safe, non-judgemental place for you to talk. Often this is a place where you will say things that you have never told anybody else. In exceptional and rare situations, I am professionally and legally compelled to break confidentiality. This includes serious concerns for your own safety/welfare (e.g. suicide) or that of others, or if I believe you may be involved in acts of terrorism, money laundering or trafficking drugs. This is all explained in my written Terms and Agreement document and is standard practice for all professional psychotherapists and counsellors in the UK. Further information is available at BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions Please discuss any concerns about this with me before signing the working Agreement form.
Yes. A copy of this will be sent to you before the first appointment. You will need to sign the Terms and Agreement which is standard practice for psychotherapists and counsellors and return a completed form electronically, or bring a paper copy to a face-to-face appointment. This needs to be done no later than the first appointment.
This is not routinely done. It is really important to develop a trusting, open relationship with the person I am working with, to help understand and support positive change for the behaviours causing problems. I can prepare letters/statements on your behalf and this will be charged at a full session-fee per item.
Yes. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My Register Membership Number is 000644308 and Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
Yes, I do. I have even set up new meetings and national events, particularly for the LGBTQI community. However, that does not mean that I do not embrace other approaches to recovery. I go to AA for my own recovery, and if I met a client at the meeting, I would greet them in the same way as anyone else who was present, whilst maintaining confidentiality about working with them as a client.
