Jonathan Toft

I guess whatever difficulty you are experiencing at the moment, that brings you here, has become too great or too puzzling to manage on your own? I want say that's okay, and it can happen to us all at some point in life. However, I admire your courage to find a different way and seek help, as all too often we try and just "Pull ourselves together" and carry on.

Carrying on, in it's self, can be tiring.....

I provide a safe, confidential and supportive space to help us explore your way of being in the World, and how your environment might be contributing to how you are feeling. Please understand that I'm not here to judge you or your choices; I simply want to try and understand aspects of your life that may cause distress, confusion, dissatisfaction or anger. Such feelings can often lead to a sense of feeling anxious, stuck, unfulfilled and frustrated.

A place where you can simply just be.....

I work with people, 18 years and over, from many cultural backgrounds or sexual orientation, and offer sessional appointments during the daytime and evening.

How I can help you

As a Humanistic, Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I do not have a fixed or predetermined way of working. How often have you felt like a square peg being told how great that round hole would be for you? As I believe everyone is different, our time together and the relationship we build, will find a way of working that feels right for you.

We will explore behaviours, beliefs, feelings or habits that are concerning you; taking account of your aims, wishes and circumstances. This may involve looking at past and present relationships, with an interest in how previous experiences maybe influencing your present relationships.

We can work together in a brief and focussed way or, alternatively, you may prefer a more open and exploratory approach and work with things as they unfold? We would discuss this before commencing, and review your goals at regular intervals.

Getting started

I understand how challenging the next step might be for you so please use any means of contact that you feel most comfortable with. You can ring the number shown here or use the email button. Alternatively, you could use the contact request on my website.

I really want to highlight my offer of a free 30-minute initial meeting. Not only is this free from charges, but also free from any further obligation. You can ask any questions, and get a feeling of what it might be like to work with me. This will also help me gain an understanding as to what brings you to therapy at this stage of your life.

I work from a private room with free, discreet, off street, parking.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What happens should I wish to explore further?

With the outcome of therapy greatly influenced by the quality of the relationship we build, you may need to visit more than one counsellor before you find someone you feel comfortable enough to work with. I offer a free 30-minute introductory session, to see if I am the right person for you, and to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about me and the process of counselling. Rest assured that there is no obligation after this initial session if you feel either myself, or the time is not right for you to continue.

Q. How long are the sessions?

Should you wish to continue, counselling sessions last for 50 minutes and, where possible, are at the same time each week.

Q. How many sessions will I 'need?'

As every person coming to therapy is a unique individual, there isn’t a definitive answer to this. However, we would discuss this at the initial assessment, decide on a way forward and review our work together at regular intervals.

Q. Is what we talk about confidential?

The sessions are an opportunity to speak freely about your life. What we talk about is confidential, barring very specific circumstances that we would talk about during the assessment. I am bound by the ethical code of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), of which I am a member.

Q. How much do sessions cost?

Each session is £50 (Discretionary discounts may be possible for counselling students and people on low income). We will arrange a regular time to meet each week as continuity and regular attendance are important in therapy as they give a structure to the process.

£50 per session.

Discretionary concessions maybe available for Counselling and Psychotherapy students requiring support during training. Please make your circumstances clear during our first contact if you wish to discuss availability.

I have daytime and evening appointments available and there is secure and private (off road) parking directly beside the Counselling room entrance.