Hello and welcome. Thank you for your interest in my counselling service. I am open to working with all clients and issues (from 16 yrs upwards). Either face to face (in-person, Hove-central private counselling rooms) or online (via secure video-link, call, or chat sessions).

If some or all of the issues below are concerning you, please get in touch. In some instances, you may just be looking for some extra help and support when there's a sense of simply feeling stuck, indecisive, or with a lack of direction. Therefore, the therapy process need not be exclusively 'problem-focused', as it can sometimes be viewed - more info on this page.

• Past events still impacting on your daily life and relationships?
• Changes happening that you're finding challenging?
• A loss or bereavement still feeling unbearable?
• Anxious and/or depressive states lasting longer and feeling stronger than 'normal'?
• Alcohol & drug use, addictions, habits, dependencies increased beyond what used to feel manageable?
• Thoughts of suicide becoming more frequent?

Whilst you may feel unsure, taking that first step to make contact is key. Therapy can make a huge difference, and research  shows that most people feel much better after starting.

I provide respectful, affirmative, and caring, emotional & motivational support therapy within a confidential and safe therapeutic relationship. An effective working alliance between client and counsellor is probably one of the most important aspects of ANY therapy. Therefore, I strive to work collaboratively, offering a very practical, non-judgemental, and down-to-earth approach, with immediacy, warmth, and authenticity as a witness and exploratory therapy partner.

This mindful, wellbeing activity is a great opportunity to unpack what's going on for you, and work on potentially better ways of living a more present, satisfying, and productive life. Given most circumstances or situations, I believe we all have internal and external resources, strengths, potential, and ‘solutions’ to most of our ‘problems'. The process of therapy can be as much about what you view as being 'right' with you as it is about what you view as being 'wrong' with you. During our time together it's hoped that you'll be able to freely express your feelings and concerns, genuinely feel heard, accepted, and respected, and achieve greater levels of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Our sessions are completely confidential, except in case of extreme circumstances e.g. harm to yourself or others. In the first instance I would discuss this with you.

Specialisms:

Loss & Grief

Life Transitions

Coping & Managing

Anger & Frustration

Identity & Self-esteem

Anxious & Depressive states

Talking Suicide [ suicidal thoughts ]

Emotional [ being with ] & Motivational [ doing with ] support

Trauma:

I've worked with clients presenting with varying degrees of ongoing trauma-related distress, either from past or ongoing experiences. I base the work on a very practical 3 stage trauma-informed model that is hoped will support the client better manage and cope with everyday life, live more presently, and find a way forward. The stages are not necessarily linear, and may flow in and out of each other, which is completely normal as a continuous process.

1. Safety and stabilisation - 'putting the brakes on, and slowing down', grounding work (mindfulness), and managing possible dissociative experiences.

2. Acceptance - coming to terms with traumatic experiences and memories, at your pace, and only what feels right for you - it is not essential that you disclose detail of your experiences.

3. Integration and moving on - coping, managing, moving forward, doing things differently, connecting better socially.

Addictions/Dependencies:

I offer emotional and motivational support to help reduce or abstain from addictions & dependencies. Whether your concern is about an occasional drink or some other activity i.e. risky relationships, food, self-harm, alcohol & drug use, social media and pornography, gambling etc. My position throughout sessions is to understand, accept, and not judge you, whilst working with you to bring an awareness to ‘the root of the problem’. This aspect is a major part of the discovery and learning about oneself, how these dependencies came about, and finding a way forward. There is no pressure, or a right or wrong way, only your way, with gentle challenge, realistic considerations, and practical encouragement.

Men's page link here

Approaches & Perspectives:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive Behavioural

Culturally Sensitive

Eclectic

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) not Emotional Freedom Technique

Existential

Integrative

Interpersonal

Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

Motivational Interviewing

Person-Centred

Personal Consultancy (blended modality)

Pluralistic Approach

Positive Psychology

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

Trauma-Informed

I appreciate the difference and diversity in our society and I endeavour to treat everyone with attention, courtesy, respect and consideration and will not discriminate against anyone - either directly or indirectly - on grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion or belief, age, part-time or fixed-term status, or on any other irrelevant or irrational basis in support of equality and diversity within society.

“It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried. It began to occur to me that unless I had a need to demonstrate my own cleverness and learning, I would do better to rely upon the client for the direction of movement in the process.” – Carl Rogers.