About me
Perhaps you have tried talking about how you feel before, only for the conversation to move quickly towards advice, explanations or things you should do. It can be difficult to try again when you did not feel properly listened to the first time.
I work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, low mood, loss, difficult relationships or feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes there is a clear reason for how you feel. At other times, you may only know that you are not yourself, your thoughts will not settle or the ways you have always coped are no longer working.
My starting point is to listen. I will not assume that you are a problem to be fixed or rush to turn what you tell me into a list of things to do. I will take time to understand what is happening from your point of view. We can look together at what you have experienced, how you have learned to cope and what may be behind the way you are feeling.
Listening does not mean that I will simply sit in silence. I will ask questions, share what I notice and help you examine thoughts, feelings and patterns that may be difficult to see when you are caught up in them. If practical ideas might be useful, we can explore them together, but they will come from what you tell me rather than from a standard answer.
I came to counselling later in life, after many years in a very different career and through my own experience of loss. It showed me how important it can be to have someone listen and take your experience seriously without moving too quickly to put it right.
You do not need to prepare for counselling or know what you want to say. We can begin with whatever is happening for you.
I offer counselling in person in Consett, County Durham, online across the UK, by telephone and through local walk and talk sessions.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Level 5 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling and am an Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society, using the designation MNCPS (Acc.).
My training is integrative, which means I do not begin with a set programme or assume that everyone needs the same kind of counselling. Our conversations may include how earlier experiences affect you now, patterns that keep repeating, difficulties in relationships or practical ways of dealing with what is happening. What we focus on will depend on you, not on a predetermined series of steps.
My diploma involved substantial supervised work with clients. I continue to have regular professional supervision and undertake further training as part of my practice. Alongside my private work, I volunteer as a counsellor with Grace House in Sunderland.
Before retraining as a counsellor, I spent many years in technical and leadership roles. I am familiar with the pressures of responsibility, deadlines, difficult decisions and being expected to solve problems. I also understand that someone can continue to work and meet those expectations while privately finding things much harder.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I have a particular interest in supporting adults who experience suicidal thoughts. I understand that it can be difficult to speak honestly when you are worried that someone may panic, judge you or immediately take control. I offer a calm, direct and non-judgemental space where these thoughts can be explored openly, alongside careful risk assessment and collaborative safety planning. My practice is not an emergency or crisis service, and where immediate safety is a concern I will help you access appropriate support.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Sessions are £45 for 50 minutes for face-to-face counselling in Consett or walk and talk sessions locally.
I can be more flexible with telephone or video support, particularly where shorter or less frequent sessions may be more helpful. We can discuss what would suit you best.
I also offer a free initial conversation, with no obligation to continue. This gives us a chance to talk briefly about what has brought you here, for you to ask questions and to see whether working with me feels right.
Reduced fees may be available for people on low incomes or receiving benefits. Please feel able to ask. I would rather have an honest conversation about cost than have it be the reason you do not reach out.
When I work
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Further information
I work with adults aged 18 and over. People contact me about anxiety, including health anxiety, stress, depression and low mood, bereavement and other experiences of loss, trauma, relationship or family difficulties, low self-esteem, loneliness and men’s mental health. I also work with neurodivergent adults and with people dealing with workplace pressure, responsibility or redundancy.
You do not have to decide whether you want counselling before contacting me. I offer a free initial conversation where we can talk about what you are looking for, how I work and anything you would like to ask. Afterwards, you can decide whether you would like to book a session. There is no obligation.
Sessions are available face to face in Consett, online, by telephone and through local walk and talk counselling.
