About Psychotherapy

People consider starting short term or long term therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a specific issue, such as the breakdown of a relationship, a bereavement, or some other painful life event. Sometimes there are more complex and deep-rooted difficulties that have built up over a long period of time, often established in childhood, which present in less focused ways such as feeling generally anxious, or long periods of feeling unhappy, or angry.

Complex difficulties often require a longer time to understand and work through, because some of these deeper-rooted difficulties might have originated from trauma, but also from other life difficulties and an invalidating environment earlier on in that person’s life.

Whatever difficulties people come with, psychotherapy is a collaborative process between the person seeking help and myself which takes place in a professional, safe, and confidential setting. Rather than offering advice or reassurance in the way that perhaps a partner, friend, or family member might do, I aim to help you think about yourself and relationships differently.

My approach is empathic and relational, always respecting the individual and the therapeutic relationship. This approach can be helpful to those who wish to develop greater self-awareness and a better understanding of how they think and feel, not only towards themselves but also towards other people.

Booking an initial appointment

It’s not uncommon to feel unsure or hesitant about seeking help. In the first instance, I offer a brief telephone conversation to discuss your current situation, whether the type of therapy I offer might be helpful to you, and answer any questions you may have. This is always an informal conversation with no obligation or expectation of ongoing work together.

Following our discussion on the phone, we may then decided to meet in-person, or online using the Zoom platform, for a preliminary session. Booking a preliminary session will enable you to meet me and experience the way that I work, which will help us to decide whether or not I am the right therapist for you. There is no commitment to ongoing work at this stage. If however, you decide that you would like to continue, we would then commit to meeting on the same day and time each week on either a short-term or open-ended basis.

The establishment of weekly sessions is an important element of psychotherapy, as the regularity and structure can provide people with a sense of security and continuity whilst they explore their concerns and difficulties.

Please contact me by email or complete the form on my contact page to enquire about current availability and to arrange an initial phone conversation. I will respond to you promptly and in the strictest confidence.