Is counselling beneficial?
Many people wonder whether counselling will really help. You might not know where to begin, what you want to talk about, or whether your difficulties are “serious enough.” For others, things may already feel overwhelming and hard to carry alone.
Counselling offers a confidential space where you can talk openly and be accepted as you are. You don’t need to arrive with clear answers or a plan. We can simply begin with whatever feels most present for you.
Speaking with someone outside your everyday life can make it easier to reflect and see things from a different perspective. For some people, counselling becomes a space to pause and reconnect with themselves. For others, it’s a place to talk things through, feel heard, and make sense of what has been building up over time.
Sessions move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, and many people find that having this regular space helps them feel clearer, more supported, and better able to respond to life in ways that feel right for them.
Who do you work with?
I work with adults, young people (16+), and couples.
People begin counselling for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a particular difficulty; other times it’s simply a wish to reflect on life, navigate a change or transition, explore relationships, or understand yourself more deeply. You are welcome to come as you are.
I work in a neurodiversity-affirming way and aim to offer a space where you can be yourself, feel comfortable, and speak openly about your experiences.
Sessions are collaborative and shaped around what feels most helpful for you.
What happens in a counselling session?
In a counselling session, we talk together about what’s on your mind. You might come with something specific you’d like to focus on, or we may simply begin with whatever feels most important for you that day.
Sessions are shaped around you. You guide the pace and the focus, and there is space to slow down, reflect, and explore things in a way that feels comfortable.
My role is to listen carefully and try to understand your experience from your perspective. At times I may ask gentle questions or share reflections that help you look at things in a slightly different way.
Some people find it helpful just to talk things through. Others notice new connections or insights over time. However the conversation unfolds, we work together to make the space feel supportive, respectful, and genuinely helpful for you.
Read my blog post: 12 Useful Things to Know About Counselling
What if I don’t know what to talk about?
It’s completely normal to sometimes feel unsure about what to say in therapy. In our sessions, there’s space for you to talk, reflect, or simply notice your thoughts and feelings. We can begin with whatever feels most present for you that day.
If you go quiet, lose your train of thought, or need a moment to process, we can slow down and take the time you need.
Some people find it helpful to bring notes, stories from their week, or even images or objects that help express what they’re experiencing.
Therapy includes conversation, reflection, and sometimes quiet moments too. We’ll find a way of working that feels comfortable for you.
Will counselling help me?
It’s natural to wonder whether counselling will help. Many people find that it already makes a difference to have a space to slow down, talk openly, and feel truly heard. Putting things into words can bring new perspective, and even small insights can begin to shift how life feels day to day.
Counselling tends to work best when you feel comfortable. If you decide to begin, we can explore things together at a pace that feels right for you, checking in along the way about how things are feeling and what seems most helpful.
Read my blog post: What Therapy Can Teach Us About Ourselves
Do I need a consultation before booking?
Some people like to speak briefly before booking, while others prefer to begin with a full session straight away.
If you’d like, I offer an optional free 15-minute phone consultation where we can briefly talk about what brings you to counselling and you can ask any questions you may have.
There’s no expectation to share anything in detail. It’s a chance to connect and see whether working together might feel right for you.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is a chance for us to begin getting to know each other and to talk about what has brought you to counselling.
Some people arrive with something quite clear they would like to talk about. Others come with a sense that things have been difficult or overwhelming, without quite knowing where to start. Both are completely fine.
We will go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. There is no expectation to explain everything straight away, and you do not need to prepare anything in advance. I may ask a few questions to help me understand what has been going on and what you might be hoping for from counselling.
The first session is also an opportunity for both of us to get a sense of how it feels to talk together. Research suggests that the most important part of successful therapy is the relationship between therapist and client and the experience of feeling understood.
The aim of the first session is to begin the conversation and see whether the space feels supportive for you.
What paperwork do I need to complete before we start?
Before the first session, I’ll send you a few counselling documents via email to read through and complete. These include a counselling agreement, privacy policy, and a short personal details form.
They help explain how counselling works and form the basis of our work together.
How many sessions can I have?
This is up to you. Some people come for a few sessions, while others continue for longer depending on what feels helpful.
We can talk together about what you are hoping for and check in along the way about how the process is going.
How often do sessions take place?
Sessions usually take place weekly or fortnightly, depending on what feels supportive for you.
Everyone’s needs are different, and we can talk together about what feels right to begin with. You’re not tied to any sessions and are free to stop counselling at any time.
Do you offer online or phone counselling?
Yes. I offer both online and phone counselling, and you’re welcome to choose the option that feels most comfortable for you.
Online sessions usually take place via Microsoft Teams, which you can join easily through the app or your web browser. I also offer Psychology Today Sessions if you prefer this option instead.
Once your appointment is confirmed, I will send you a link you can use to join the session at the scheduled time.
Read my blog post: Discover Online Counselling – Get Support Wherever You Are
Do you also offer in-person sessions?
Yes. I offer in-person Walk-and-Talk sessions in Leazes Park, Newcastle.
These sessions take place outdoors and involve walking side by side, which some people find more comfortable than sitting indoors.
Being outside can also feel grounding for those who prefer a less formal setting. I also offer a blended approach, and you’re welcome to choose the format that feels most convenient for you.
Read my blog post: Walking Side by Side – Discovering the Benefits of Walk-and-Talk Therapy
How much do the sessions cost?
Individual sessions are £50, and couples counselling sessions are £80.
Payment is made in advance to secure your appointment. I review my fees annually.
Do you offer low-cost sessions?
I offer a limited number of concession appointments for people on a low income. You’re welcome to get in touch if you’d like to discuss this.
Do you accept insurance?
I work on a private-pay basis. I am also registered with WPA and can see clients through their EAP programme.
If you plan to use insurance, it may be helpful to check with your provider whether they reimburse counselling sessions.
Payment is usually made in advance to reserve your session. I’m happy to provide receipts if helpful.
Do you charge for cancelled sessions?
I understand that life can be unpredictable, so if you need to cancel a session, please give as much notice as possible.
Cancellations with at least 24 hours’ notice are free. A £25 expenses fee applies for cancellations within 24 hours, and the full fee is charged for missed sessions without notice.
Do you offer counselling for OCD or phobias?
Sometimes people get in touch because they are struggling with OCD, distressing intrusive thoughts, or a specific phobia.
My work is based in talking therapy, which focuses on exploring experiences, relationships, self-understanding, and how these connect to your day-to-day life. When OCD or certain phobias are the main difficulty, it can be helpful to work with a therapist who specialises in these areas.
Do you offer counselling for young people?
Yes. I work with adults and young people aged 16 and over.
Sessions are a confidential space to talk about whatever is on your mind, at a pace that feels comfortable.
If helpful, a parent or caregiver can join the first session. After that, sessions are usually one-to-one, with your privacy and independence in mind.
Read my blog post: Development Through the Lifespan – Understanding Growth and Young Adulthood
Do you work with neurodivergent clients?
Yes. I aim to offer a thoughtful, warm, neurodiversity-affirming space where your way of thinking, feeling, relating and communicating is respected.
Some people come to counselling to explore life through a neurodivergent lens – for example as an autistic person, someone with ADHD, or AuDHD, while others may be questioning or making sense of their experiences. You’re welcome to bring whatever feels important to you.
Read my blog post: What Is Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy?, Neurodiversity, Masking, and Burnout: The Cost of “Fitting In”, Exploring Autism – A Different Way of Experiencing the World, Living With AuDHD: When Autism and ADHD Come Together
Do you offer couples counselling?
Yes, I work with couples, including where neurodiversity is part of the relationship. Many reach out when the same arguments or misunderstandings keep happening, they feel stuck, or one or both want to feel more understood. Sessions are collaborative, guided to encourage listening, curiosity, and connection.
Couples counselling provides a calm, supportive space to slow down and talk openly. It can help you both to start understanding each another more clearly and relate in ways that feel supportive, sustainable, and kind.
Read my blog post: Couples Counselling – Finding Your Way to Each Other
If your question isn’t answered here, please feel free to get in touch.
Let’s talk!
Your first phone consultation is free.