About me
Hi, I'm Steve
"No one chooses poor mental health"
Most people who contact me have been carrying things on their own for a long time. They may feel anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, stuck in patterns they don't understand, or simply unsure why life feels harder than it should. Often they have spent years putting other people first, coping as best they can and trying to push through, until they reach a point where they realise they need support.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, especially if you've never spoken to a counsellor before. Many of the clients I work with tell me they weren't sure where to start, what counselling would involve, or even whether they would be able to open up. One of the things clients frequently say is that they felt comfortable talking with me and that they connected with me quickly. I believe this is because I aim to create a genuine, non-judgemental space where you can be yourself without fear of criticism or pressure.
How I Work
I am an integrative counsellor, which means I draw upon different therapeutic approaches to meet your individual needs rather than expecting you to fit into one particular model.
My work integrates:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Person-Centred Counselling
Psychodynamic Theory
This allows us to explore not only what is happening in your life right now, but also where certain thoughts, feelings and patterns may have developed. Together we can begin to understand how past experiences may still be influencing your present-day life and find healthier ways of moving forward.
I am passionate about helping clients make sense of their experiences in a way that feels understandable and practical. Rather than using complicated psychological language, I believe in explaining things clearly and collaboratively so that you can develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the difficulties you are facing.
Areas I Commonly Work With
I have experience supporting clients with a wide range of issues, including:
Anxiety
Stress and overwhelm
Depression
Bereavement and loss
Low self-esteem
Confidence issues
People-pleasing
Relationship difficulties
Childhood experiences and trauma
Men's mental health
Panic attacks
Health anxiety
Emetophobia
Life transitions and change
Sometimes clients come to counselling knowing exactly what they want help with. Others simply know that something doesn't feel right. Both are welcome
Supporting Men
Working with men is an area that is particularly important to me.
Many men grow up believing they need to cope alone, stay strong, or avoid talking about how they feel. Over time this can lead to stress, anxiety, low mood, frustration, relationship difficulties and a sense of isolation.
Counselling provides an opportunity to step away from those expectations and explore what is really happening beneath the surface. Whether you're struggling with work pressures, family responsibilities, loss, relationships or your own sense of identity, I offer a space where you can speak openly and honestly without judgement.
What Counselling With Me Can Offer
While every person's journey is different, clients often come to counselling hoping to:
Feel less overwhelmed
Understand themselves better
Build confidence and self-worth
Develop healthier coping strategies
Improve relationships
Reduce anxiety and stress
Process loss and grief
Break free from unhelpful patterns
Feel more in control of their lives
My aim is not to tell you what to do, but to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself so that you can make choices that feel right for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications, Training and Professional Memberships
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Certificate of Proficiency (BACP)
BACP Registered Member
Additional professional development includes training in:
Bereavement and Loss
Ambiguous Loss
Shame, Identity and the Embodied True Self
Attachment
Depression
Neurodiversity
Autism in the Therapy Room
Working with Men and Boys
Mindfulness and Self-Care
Emotional Processing and Regulation
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
