Counselling FAQs

Fill in the booking form with your details and a little about what you’re looking for. I’ll contact you for an initial chat, at no charge. Then I’ll send you the details and we’ll agree a date and time for a first session – in person in Sandhurst or online. And the journey begins.

It’s a relaxed phone conversation so you can tell me a little about what’s bringing you, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether we’d work well together. There’s no charge and no obligation.

No. You can contact me directly. If you’re taking medication or under the care of another service, it can help to mention it when we speak.

In person at my practice in Sandhurst, Berkshire – close to Crowthorne, Camberley, Yateley, Wokingham and Bracknell – or online by Zoom from anywhere in the UK. I share the full address when your first session is booked.

My role as your therapist is to help you strengthen your roots, grow to your potential and develop your wings to fly. In our first session we begin to agree the terms of our work together. Some clients commit to an initial six sessions, at which point we review or come to an end. Many like to work open-ended – working together until it feels right to finish – which offers a new model of relating and someone alongside you through life’s challenges. Time, finances, the depth of what you want to explore and your circumstances all play a part. Some people want coping strategies; others want to explore root causes. There are no rights or wrongs, and you set the boundaries.

Individual sessions last 50 minutes. Couples can choose 50 or 75 minutes. We usually meet weekly at first; couples often move to fortnightly or monthly later on.

I’m an integrative counsellor, drawing on humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive approaches, alongside neuroscience-based coaching, mindfulness and mind–body awareness from my yoga training. I tailor the work to you rather than fitting you to a single method.

Counselling tends to explore feelings, patterns and where they come from; coaching looks forward to goals and action. Many people benefit from both, which is why I blend them. We can talk about the balance that suits you.

Sessions take place by video (Zoom), so you can attend from a comfortable, private space at home. Many people find it easier to talk, enjoy avoiding a commute and have more flexibility around scheduling. Research suggests online therapy can be as effective as meeting in person.

Check your space is private and comfortable, put up a Do Not Disturb notice, use headphones for privacy, turn off notifications and silence your phone, avoid alcohol or drugs before or during sessions, and give yourself a little time before and after before rejoining family or colleagues. Pets are welcome if they’re not distracting!

I can help you set up Zoom beforehand. If a session drops, we reconnect; if that isn’t possible we agree a plan in advance.

Individual sessions are £120 for 50 minutes. Couples sessions are £140 for 50 minutes or £175 for 75 minutes. The discovery call is free. Organisational work is priced individually. Fees are reviewed on 1 April each year.

By bank transfer before each session.

Our work together is confidential, apart from where there is a child safeguarding issue, where there is information about an act of terrorism, or where there is a risk to the safety of others. My work is supervised within the ethical code of my accrediting body, and no names or distinguishing information are shared. If I feel you may be at risk to your own life, I will encourage you to seek further help, or ask that I act on your behalf by contacting your GP or a person of your choosing.

Under UK data protection law you have the right to see your notes (by making a formal request) and to have your records amended (for example a change of name or address). Records are kept for 5 years after therapy ends and then destroyed; for clients under 18, records are kept for 5 years after they turn 18. You can ask for your data to be erased, although there are exceptions – insurers and professional bodies require counselling records to be kept for the period above. See the privacy policy for details.