Counselling & Psychotherapy

Recognising when you might benefit from support.

Emotional and psychological difficulties don't always appear suddenly. Sometimes they develop gradually, becoming part of everyday life before we recognise how much they're affecting us.

You might find yourself worrying more than usual, struggling to relax, feeling persistently low or having difficulty managing situations that once felt straightforward.

For some people, these experiences are connected to a particular event. For others, there may be no immediately obvious explanation.

Some common reasons people seek counselling include:

• Anxiety and persistent worry: Feeling overwhelmed by concerns, uncertainty or difficult thoughts.
• Depression and low mood: Experiencing sadness, reduced motivation, emotional exhaustion or a loss of enjoyment.
• Stress and emotional pressure: Finding it difficult to manage demands, responsibilities or ongoing uncertainty.
• Difficult life experiences: Working through emotionally challenging events, loss, change or uncertainty.
• Addiction-related concerns: Exploring behaviours, emotional difficulties and circumstances associated with problematic substance use or other addictive patterns.
• Difficult emotions: Understanding feelings such as frustration, guilt, anger, fear or sadness that may be difficult to express or manage.

You don't need to identify with a particular diagnosis to benefit from a supportive conversation.

Sometimes simply recognising that something isn't quite right is a meaningful first step.

Making sense of your experiences.

Counselling provides a dedicated opportunity to explore what's happening in your life, how it's affecting you and what you might want to change.

Our conversations are not about placing blame or deciding what you should have done differently.

Instead, we'll work together to understand your experiences and consider constructive ways forward.

Depending on your circumstances, our sessions may help you:

• Explore difficult thoughts and emotions in a supportive environment.
• Identify patterns that contribute to anxiety, stress or emotional distress.
• Better understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another.
• Recognise personal stressors and emotional responses.
• Explore practical ways of managing challenging situations.
• Develop coping strategies suited to your individual needs.
• Consider changes that may support your longer-term emotional wellbeing.

Progress looks different for everybody. For some, it involves understanding a long-standing concern. For others, it means finding ways to manage current difficulties more effectively.

The aim is not to tell you how to feel. It's to help you better understand how you feel and what may help.

Evidence-informed support, tailored to you.

With my background in frontline medicine, primary care and mental health support, I bring both clinical experience and a practical understanding of the challenges people face.

I draw on techniques informed by several established therapeutic approaches.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT-informed techniques explore the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. They can help us recognise patterns that may contribute to emotional distress and consider alternative ways of responding to difficult situations.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): DBT-informed skills can be useful when exploring emotional regulation, distress tolerance and challenging interpersonal situations. We may consider techniques that help you recognise intense emotional responses and respond to difficult experiences more constructively.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT-informed techniques explore how we relate to difficult thoughts and feelings, while considering the values and priorities that matter to us.

The focus is not necessarily on eliminating uncomfortable experiences, but on developing more flexible ways of responding to them.

Solution-focused techniques encourage us to identify existing strengths, useful resources and practical steps towards meaningful change.

Rather than concentrating exclusively on problems, we can also explore what is already working and how to build upon it.

Grounding techniques are practical exercises that may help you reconnect with the present moment during periods of stress, anxiety or emotional overwhelm.

Depending on your needs, I can provide encouragement and guidance in exploring methods such as sensory awareness, attention exercises and other suitable grounding strategies.

There is no single method that works for everyone.

Our work together will be shaped around your individual experiences, preferences and circumstances.

A conversation, not a lecture.

One of the reasons I've chosen to move from frontline medicine into counselling and personal support is my belief that people benefit from being actively involved in understanding their own circumstances.

I don't believe effective therapy should simply involve a professional telling somebody what to do.

Instead, I favour an open, collaborative approach that encourages honest conversation and mutual respect.

I'll listen, ask questions, share relevant perspectives and offer guidance where appropriate.

I'll also encourage you to question, reflect and contribute your own understanding of what's happening.

Sometimes that means exploring something difficult. Sometimes it means challenging an assumption or considering a different perspective.

And sometimes it simply means having the opportunity to speak openly without feeling judged.

My approach is friendly and straight-talking, but always respectful of the individual and their experiences.

I bring the professional experience. You bring the understanding of your own life. Together, we explore what comes next.

Your first conversation:

I offer a free 30-minute introductory consultation.

This gives us an opportunity to discuss what has brought you here, what kind of support you're looking for and whether my approach is suitable for your circumstances.

You don't need to prepare a detailed account of your life or know precisely what you want to achieve: We can begin with whatever feels most important to you.

If we agree to continue, standard consultations last 60 minutes and cost £60 per session.

Sessions take place online, allowing you to participate from a private, comfortable environment.

Our conversations will focus on your concerns, understanding your experiences and exploring appropriate ways forward.

There is no expectation that every session must produce an immediate answer or solution.

Some issues take time to understand, and the pace of our conversations will reflect your individual circumstances.

Confidentiality is an important foundation of our work.

Consultations are not recorded by either party. Information is handled according to the practice's privacy and confidentiality policies, including applicable legal and safeguarding limits.

Sessions are conducted in English and are available to adults aged 18 and over.

Clients must not attend consultations while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Another person may only participate in a consultation with the client's explicit consent and prior agreement.

Your wellbeing comes first.

My clinical experience helps me recognise that different concerns may require different kinds of support.

Although I previously held medication-prescribing responsibilities during my medical career, I do not prescribe medication through this counselling and coaching service.

Where medication or other medical treatment may be relevant, I can help you consider questions to discuss with your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

If your circumstances suggest that more specialised psychological, psychiatric, addiction or medical support may be appropriate, I can also help you identify relevant services and possible next steps.

Counselling is not a replacement for emergency medical or psychiatric care.

If you are experiencing an immediate crisis or believe you may be at risk of harm, please seek urgent assistance from an appropriate healthcare or emergency service.

You don't have to work everything out alone.

Seeking support doesn't mean you've failed to manage something yourself.

It can mean recognising that a different perspective, a supportive conversation or professional guidance might be useful.

Whether you're dealing with a specific concern or have been struggling with difficult feelings for some time, you're welcome to arrange an introductory conversation.

We'll discuss your circumstances, explore what you're hoping for and consider whether working together could be helpful.

There's no pressure to commit to ongoing sessions.

Let's start with a conversation.