Janet Simpson

Hello and welcome!  I'm an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist. I have supported individuals and couples with a range of issues inc: anxiety, depression, crisis, boundaries, trauma, intimacy, infidelity.  I have expertise in Relationship therapy, sexual issues/trauma inc: porn and sex addiction/compulsivity, grief & loss, and communication.

I help people untie relationship knots, communicate clearly and strengthen boundaries through couples counselling and individual therapy.

You may be feeling confused, anxious, angry, ashamed or even frustrated. You could be struggling to manage your emotions.

You are not alone, any emotional turmoil can be settled and covert trauma shaming can be healed. Asking for help is the first step.

I work in these key areas:

~ couples counselling: communication, sex and intimacy issues, impact of childhood issues or unexpressed grief.

~ individuals with sexual trauma/issues, separating trauma from healthy sex, , sexual anxiety, sexual covert trauma (body or sexual shame/messages), communicating sexual needs and consent within their erotic landscape.

'Sex Talk Heals & Prevents Trauma'

~ men's issues, inc: sex and porn addiction (compulsivity), grief, emotional distress, relationship breakdown, sex issues. 

~ partners, parents or professionals struggling to deal with and communicate issues related to sex, the use of pornography or historic sexual trauma. 

I take a holistic approach so when working I consider all aspects of you including:

*trauma & somatic response, 

*psychosexual & childhood influences, 

*energetic signature, and, 

*present neurological mapping. 

I have worked with a wide range of issues within the NHS, at a local hospice and in my private practice which supports my work including:

anxiety, abuse, rape/stealthing, depression, sadness, sexual and intimacy issues, infidelity, sexual & non sexual trauma, various relationship issues, porn and sex compulsivity, divorce, separation, menopause, grief & loss, child death, abandonment, family stress, health/gynaecological  problems, work stress, loneliness, spirituality, loss of identity and burnout.

How I Work

I use a purposeful mix of active listening, relevant psycho-education and proven interventions from psychotherapy, counselling and coaching. 

I believe education offers transformation so that forms a key aspect of my approach. I adapt my style to meet your needs with empathy and compassion. I understanding that life can at times be very difficult and all behaviour has a valid reason.

I use my Therapist’s ears and eyes to help you become aware of hidden patterns and/or beliefs created from your past experiencing that is impacting your present reality. 

I use my coaching expertise to highlight your growth points, inner strengths and resilience factors to reveal opportunities or personal skills that can be used to improve your life situation or relationship.

I am trained to use energetic and Hermetic principles. This informs all aspects of my work. 

I am a qualified, and experienced child counsellor and have worked with children for over 20 years. I don't work with children now, I use this expertise to help you to understand how your childhood is impacting your present living, or relationship. It could be that aspects of your childhood are unfinished or unresolved.

If you are a couple, it is important to know that I am working with your relationship not each individually. Some couples, not all, have individual sessions to develop an awareness of how their past experiences are influencing the relationship and to neutralise trauma which stops intimacy developing.

Couple counselling is an investment. A few sessions can resolve ongoing issues, get to the bottom of long term problems, bring to light hidden barriers in the relationship, draw you closer or be used to amicably separate with the least emotional upset or cost incurred.  Some couples only need one session.

In 2021, the average divorce/separation with all hidden costs was estimated to be over £14,500 in research conducted by Aviva. Whoever you do choose to work with, it makes sense to invest in what might be saved.

It is more beneficial to work every three or four weeks as that gives you time to implement, and reflect upon, new learning, approaches or life tools

The First Session

My goal is to help you take the first steps towards working on the issue not to resolve it entirely as this could take more than one session. Three session is usually enough unless it is trauma that involves significant personal change.

You will have read our working contract and have an understanding of the guidelines I work within and what to expect. I allow time for you to ask any questions you may have. I will go through the essential details to ensure we are working ethically and within the law. 

I will listen carefully to your issue and use whatever interventions or psycho-education is specifically appropriate for you to gain the most out of our session. No session is ever the same!

At the end of the session, you will be more aware of how your past is influencing your present situation or aspects of your relationship. You will have psycho-education that relates directly to you or your relationship and life tools to take away so you can take action to create the change you want in your life for yourself or your relationship.

A comment often made by clients, particularly couples and men, 'I wish I’d/we’d come sooner.'

Useful Details

I work flexibly from Monday to Saturday with early sessions at 9.30am or 10am and late sessions at 7.30pm on some days. 

Individual therapy: £50  per 60 minute session; £70  per 1 1/2hr session. 

Couples therapy: £70  per 60 minute session; £100 per 1 1/2 hour session

WHEN CONTACTING ME PLEASE LEAVE BOTH YOUR TELEPHONE AND EMAIL.  OFTEN MY RESPONDING EMAIL HAS ARRIVED IN THE SPAM FOLDER AND LOOKS LIKE I HAVEN'T RESPONDED.

Please note: 

*Most clients will benefit from having a minimum of 3 sessions to support sustained change.  Unless it is a relationship dilemma that is resolved in one session. However, this can be discussed on an individual basis as some people may require fewer or more depending on the reason they are attending therapy. 

*Generally, I see clients with intervals of 2 or 3 weeks.

*I see clients weekly if in crisis.  

Sex addiction; Porn addiction; Sex compulsivity; Porn compulsivity; Men's Issues

Individual therapy one hour session: £50 

Individual therapy 1 and 1/2 hour session: £70 

Couples therapy one hour session: £70

Couples therapy 1 and 1/2 hour session: £100

I recommend budgeting for three sessions. I see clients every two or three weeks unless a crisis. In this situation, weekly counselling is available and I will offer sessions outside of my normal working hours. 

ALL first couple therapy sessions are 1 and 1/2 hour sessions unless it is to resolve a particular dilemma and you feel it can be resolved in 1 hour.