Working together.
You don't need all the answers to start. You may arrive with a clear idea of what you want to talk about, several things that have become tangled together, or no idea where to begin. We can start with whatever feels most present.
Our work will develop through the conversations we have and the relationship we build. There is no fixed process you need to follow or particular way you are expected to respond. We will pay attention to what feels useful, what doesn't and what becomes important as we go.
Working together.
You don't need all the answers to start. You may arrive with a clear idea of what you want to talk about, several things that have become tangled together, or no idea where to begin. We can start with whatever feels most present.
Our work will develop through the conversations we have and the relationship we build. There is no fixed process you need to follow or particular way you are expected to respond. We will pay attention to what feels useful, what doesn't and what becomes important as we go.
Working together.
You don't need all the answers to start. You may arrive with a clear idea of what you want to talk about, several things that have become tangled together, or no idea where to begin. We can start with whatever feels most present.
Our work will develop through the conversations we have and the relationship we build. There is no fixed process you need to follow or particular way you are expected to respond. We will pay attention to what feels useful, what doesn't and what becomes important as we go.
An approach shaped around you.
As an integrative counsellor, I will begin by getting to know you: what has brought you to therapy, how you experience what is happening and what you need from our time together. I can then draw on different therapeutic approaches and ideas when they seem relevant or useful.
Sometimes we may stay close to what is happening in your life now. At other times, it may help to consider earlier experiences, notice something that keeps returning or spend time with feelings that have been difficult to understand. We don't have to explore something simply because a particular approach says that we should.
Integrative counselling allows the work to respond to you rather than follow a standard programme. You won't be expected to fit one particular way of doing therapy, and we can continue to consider what is - and isn't - helping as the work develops.
What I bring to our conversations.
I will take an active part in our conversations. I will listen carefully, ask questions and check that I have understood what you mean, rather than assume. At times, this may involve staying with something for a little longer instead of moving quickly past it.
I may draw attention to a connection between different experiences, notice when something seems to keep returning, or offer another way of looking at what is happening. These things can be difficult to see when you're living in the middle of them.
Anything I offer is something for us to consider together, not an answer you are expected to accept. You remain the person who decides what fits with your experience. I bring careful attention and curiosity to help you develop your own understanding and decide what feels right for you.
What I bring to our conversations.
I will take an active part in our conversations. I will listen carefully, ask questions and check that I have understood what you mean, rather than assume. At times, this may involve staying with something for a little longer instead of moving quickly past it.
I may draw attention to a connection between different experiences, notice when something seems to keep returning, or offer another way of looking at what is happening. These things can be difficult to see when you're living in the middle of them.
Anything I offer is something for us to consider together, not an answer you are expected to accept. You remain the person who decides what fits with your experience. I bring careful attention and curiosity to help you develop your own understanding and decide what feels right for you.
What we talk about matters, but so does how it feels to talk about it together.
What we talk about matters, but so does how it feels to talk about it together.
The relationship we build.
Whatever therapeutic ideas we draw on, the relationship we build will be at the heart of our work. Talking about things that feel difficult, personal or uncertain asks something of you, so I won't expect you to feel completely open or trusting from the beginning. Trust can develop over time as we get to know one another.
Your experience of our conversations matters. You can tell me if something I say misses the mark, a question doesn't make sense, or a particular way of working doesn't feel useful. We can talk honestly about how the sessions are feeling, and consider whether there is anything you need more or less of from me.
Sometimes, what happens between us may also connect with experiences elsewhere in your life. You might notice that it feels difficult to disagree, that you are worried about disappointing me, or that you find yourself wondering what I think of you. If something like this becomes relevant, we can be curious about it together without assuming that you have done anything wrong.
The relationship we build.
Whatever therapeutic ideas we draw on, the relationship we build will be at the heart of our work. Talking about things that feel difficult, personal or uncertain asks something of you, so I won't expect you to feel completely open or trusting from the beginning. Trust can develop over time as we get to know one another.
Your experience of our conversations matters. You can tell me if something I say misses the mark, a question doesn't make sense, or a particular way of working doesn't feel useful. We can talk honestly about how the sessions are feeling, and consider whether there is anything you need more or less of from me.
Sometimes, what happens between us may also connect with experiences elsewhere in your life. You might notice that it feels difficult to disagree, that you are worried about disappointing me, or that you find yourself wondering what I think of you. If something like this becomes relevant, we can be curious about it together without assuming that you have done anything wrong.
Making sense together.
When you are in the middle of something, thoughts, feelings, memories and responsibilities can become tangled together. Counselling gives us time to slow things down and look more closely at what's happening, one part at a time.
You don't need to present a polished account or explain everything perfectly. You can bring half-formed thoughts, feelings that seem to contradict one another, or things you have never quite known how to put into words. As we talk, experiences that seemed separate may begin to connect, and reactions that were difficult to understand may make more sense in the context of your life.
Understanding doesn't always mean finding one neat explanation. It can mean becoming more aware of what affects you, what you need, and what feels important. That may give you more room to decide what you would like to keep, approach differently, or change.
Making sense together.
When you are in the middle of something, thoughts, feelings, memories and responsibilities can become tangled together. Counselling gives us time to slow things down and look more closely at what's happening, one part at a time.
You don't need to present a polished account or explain everything perfectly. You can bring half-formed thoughts, feelings that seem to contradict one another, or things you have never quite known how to put into words. As we talk, experiences that seemed separate may begin to connect, and reactions that were difficult to understand may make more sense in the context of your life.
Understanding doesn't always mean finding one neat explanation. It can mean becoming more aware of what affects you, what you need, and what feels important. That may give you more room to decide what you would like to keep, approach differently, or change.
Beginning therapy.
You don't need to commit to an ongoing course of therapy from the first time you make contact. Beginning with a short conversation gives you an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether you would like to take things further.
1. A free introductory conversation.
I offer a free 15-minute conversation where you can tell me a little about what has brought you here, ask anything you would like to know and get a sense of how it feels to talk with me.
There is no expectation to make a decision during the conversation. Afterwards, you can take some time to consider whether I feel like someone you could work with and whether you would like to arrange a first session.
1. A free introductory conversation.
I offer a free 15-minute conversation where you can tell me a little about what has brought you here, ask anything you would like to know and get a sense of how it feels to talk with me.
There is no expectation to make a decision during the conversation. Afterwards, you can take some time to consider whether I feel like someone you could work with and whether you would like to arrange a first session.
2. Your first counselling session.
The first session gives us more time to talk about what has brought you to therapy and what you might want from it. I will also explain confidentiality, practical arrangements and anything else that may help you understand how our work could begin.
You do not need to tell me your entire history, identify a particular goal, or know which part of your experience matters most. We can begin with what feels most present and allow the wider picture to develop over time.
2. Your first counselling session.
The first session gives us more time to talk about what has brought you to therapy and what you might want from it. I will also explain confidentiality, practical arrangements and anything else that may help you understand how our work could begin.
You do not need to tell me your entire history, identify a particular goal, or know which part of your experience matters most. We can begin with what feels most present and allow the wider picture to develop over time.
3. As the work continues.
If we continue working together, we will agree how often to meet and allow the sessions to develop around what you bring. From time to time, we can pause to consider how the work is feeling, what may have changed, and whether there is anything you would like us to approach differently.
You can also raise questions about the frequency of sessions, taking a break, or ending therapy, whenever they become relevant. These decisions can form part of our conversations rather than needing to be made at the outset.
3. As the work continues.
If we continue working together, we will agree how often to meet and allow the sessions to develop around what you bring. From time to time, we can pause to consider how the work is feeling, what may have changed, and whether there is anything you would like us to approach differently.
You can also raise questions about the frequency of sessions, taking a break, or ending therapy, whenever they become relevant. These decisions can form part of our conversations rather than needing to be made at the outset.
Face-to-face and online counselling.
I offer individual counselling face-to-face in Rugby and online across the UK. The way we work will remain the same in either setting: time for us to talk openly, look more closely at what is happening and develop an understanding together.
Face-to-face counselling in Rugby.
Face-to-face sessions take place in my counselling room in Rugby. Having a separate place to come to each week can help create some distance from everyday responsibilities and give the session a clear beginning and end.
You can see photographs of the room on this page so that the setting feels a little more familiar before you arrive.
Face-to-face counselling in Rugby.
Face-to-face sessions take place in my counselling room in Rugby. Having a separate place to come to each week can help create some distance from everyday responsibilities and give the session a clear beginning and end.
You can see photographs of the room on this page so that the setting feels a little more familiar before you arrive.
Online counselling across the UK.
Online sessions allow you to speak with me from home or another private place where you feel able to talk. This may suit you if you live outside Rugby, find travelling difficult, or prefer not to add a journey to your day.
You will need a reliable internet connection, and somewhere you won't be interrupted. If you are uncertain about working online, we can discuss what it involves during the introductory conversation.
Online counselling across the UK.
Online sessions allow you to speak with me from home or another private place where you feel able to talk. This may suit you if you live outside Rugby, find travelling difficult, or prefer not to add a journey to your day.
You will need a reliable internet connection, and somewhere you won't be interrupted. If you are uncertain about working online, we can discuss what it involves during the introductory conversation.
Choosing what suits you.
Practical circumstances may make the choice straightforward, or you may simply feel more comfortable with one format than the other. You are welcome to ask questions about either before deciding how you would like to begin.
You can find session lengths, fees and other practical information on the Fees & FAQs page.
Choosing what suits you.
Practical circumstances may make the choice straightforward, or you may simply feel more comfortable with one format than the other. You are welcome to ask questions about either before deciding how you would like to begin.
You can find session lengths, fees and other practical information on the Fees & FAQs page.
Where would you like to go next?
If you would like to know more about me and what has informed the way I work, you can continue to the About me page. If you feel ready to talk, you can arrange a free introductory conversation.
Where would you like to go next?
If you would like to know more about me and what has informed the way I work, you can continue to the About me page. If you feel ready to talk, you can arrange a free introductory conversation.