Nick Hoare

Hello and welcome to my profile page, where you will learn about how I work as a therapist and how to get things started if you would like to arrange an appointment.

You might prefer to find out more through a brief telephone conversation. In an initial 15 minute call we can discuss your situation, and I can offer you a view of whether therapy may be helpful at this time, as well as answer any questions that you might have. This might be especially useful if you have not seen a counsellor before, and would like to find out more about what's involved. A call at this stage would be free of charge and there would be no expectation to proceed further if you don't feel ready. 

Please just leave a message with a good time for me to call you back and we can take it from there.

How I work

I work as a relational and existential therapist in private practice, based in Leeds City Centre. In 2023 I stepped back from my role as lead Psychotherapist with The Harrogate Homeless Project to concentrate fully on my private practice.

I regularly engage with clients via room, online and phone appointments and where appropriate I am also able to offer outdoor therapy options. Clients may choose to maintain the same therapy environment, or may wish to explore expanding this as the counselling process progresses. 

I worked for several years as a Counsellor and Counselling service coordinator with Leeds Mind and more recently as a student Counsellor with Leeds University. 

I work from the understanding that who we are and how we make sense of our lives is deeply informed by the ways in which we relate with others, and with ourselves. I maintain a confidential, reliable, and non-judgemental space to explore and establish new ways of understanding and responding to your situation and the problems you face. My task is to work with whatever you bring. Often this is likely to focus upon how things are for you now, but at times we may learn from other perspectives; such as how your life-story and history may help us in understanding your situation more fully. 

My experience as a therapist - working with diversity

Over the years I have worked with many individuals who have received a diagnosis of, or whom identify as Autistic; both historically in my work within mental health services and as a therapist in private practice.  

My experience as a therapist is informed through the wide range of therapeutic settings I have worked in since 1998; where I have engaged closely in supporting individuals as well as facilitating group-based services within Council, NHS and third sector organisations (detailed CV is available by request). I have supported many individuals struggling with moderate issues or problems, as well as working closely with individuals living with enduring mental health issues or concerns. 

The ways in which we describe and make sense of our situations are hugely varied. I draw upon many years of mental health experience in engaging and supporting individuals in distress. My priority is always to attend to our way of working together; in developing reflections from your own unique experience. It is this which underpins my approach at all times. I will regularly invite you to reflect upon what is happening for you in the counselling process. Progress in therapy is made by gaining new ways of understanding and responding within relationships of all kinds; including the counselling relationship. My job is to provide the conditions and opportunities in which you may more freely explore what is happening for you. The more fully we are able to achieve this, the more valuable therapy can become. 

My work as a counselling services manager included providing clinical support to the therapist team, alongside coordinating the running of the service. This has added to my knowledge and commitment around what I understand therapy can achieve; as well as furthering reflection on what has worked well in therapy, from multiple perspectives. 

I am passionate in my belief that we have a profound capacity for growth and change and that talking therapies can offer a real opportunity for this; often taking us far beyond what may have seemed fixed and unmovable. 

My training and fee’s 

My formal training in Counselling and Psychotherapy began by completing an HE Certificate in Counselling and Interpersonal skills. I then trained with Leeds University and am qualified to the level of Masters Degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling, which consisted of a 2 year post graduate diploma training and a final third year of clinical psychotherapy research; evaluating and developing my practice as a therapist further. All my work is underpinned by regular effective supervision and reflection, which I use to respond to the unique circumstances and experiences that every client brings to therapy.

I charge between £50 and £70 per session; determined by your level of income (or the income of the person paying for therapy). I am able to offer both longer term therapy as well as briefer, short-term work. As therapy sessions progress, a greater sense of what you are seeking from therapy will become clearer, and this will continue to inform our overall length of work. 

Next steps..

In an initial session you will have the opportunity to find out about what therapy might be like for you, and this will help both of us decide whether to proceed with further sessions. It is important you feel able enough to begin a process in which you are likely to experience uncertainty - it is working through this together that often becomes a meaningful element or stage in therapy. You may currently feel unsure as to how many sessions would be useful for you, and this is understandable. It is through engaging in a process with a counsellor that you will be more able to answer this question. Your own decision making in therapy, and my capacity to support you in this, is a vital ingredient to the work; towards recovery, authenticity, and positive change. 

If you are interested in either arranging an initial session or just to speak on the phone at this stage, please contact me. If I’m not able to answer please leave a telephone number and I'll be in touch to discuss things further with you.

Thank you

Nick Hoare Counselling (2024)

A note on descriptions of presenting problems.

I have experience of working with individuals struggling with a wide range of presenting problems or life situations. General descriptions of problems or working with a diagnosis can often provide a helpful point of reference, but I have learnt that it is through developing your own language to what is happening for you that we are most likely to find helpful and meaningful ways forward.

Charges for individual private clients: £50 - £70 per session.

Private client fee levels:

Income level (or the combined levels of income of person / persons who are paying for therapy - e.g Household income on behalf of a family member):

Under £30,000 per year - £50 per session

£30,000 - £40,000 per year - £55 per session

£40,000 - £45,000 per year - £60 per session

£45,000 - £50,000 per year - £65 per session

£50,000 and above - £70 per session 

Charges to organisations / services start from £55 per session.