Counselling, at its heart, is a relationship.  The relationship acts as a space for you to be listened to - really listened to.  It is an unusual relationship, there aren't many times when the focus is solely on you!  It can take a bit of getting used to, having a whole 50 minutes which is just for you.  However, this focus and space creates the opportunity for growth, support, new insights.  You might be struggling with anxiety, feeling uneasy in social situations and unable to stop worrying about the worst happening.  The therapeutic relationship gives you space and support to talk about how you experience the world, what is difficult and, most importantly, what else is going on.  What might be the really big fears which lie under the surface of the everyday worries?  But also, how can we work towards a different way of thinking?  Or if there is a tricky family situation, having a safe, non-judgemental therapeutic space to air your feelings of hurt, confusion, anger or frustration is invaluable, and clears the way to figure how you'd like to approach the relational challenges and look after your own needs as well.  If you're unsure if therapy is the right course for you, I am happy to have a short phone call before setting up an initial meeting.  

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If counselling is new for you it can feel quite daunting, even making the initial contact can induce anxiety. (It can also be calm-inducing, having made the first step and knowing that you will be getting some help can help us feel better.)  I will do my best to put you at ease, the assessment session is a full 50 minutes so that there is no rush and we can go at your pace.  Both initially and in subsequent sessions, I will listen to what you need.  Sometimes you may need a few minutes of quiet in the room to settle and think about what you would like to talk about, or a guided breathing or visualisation exercise can be helpful.

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When we meet we will discuss how many sessions we might work together for.  There are various factors which influence this decision, not least how affordable it is for you.  I am experienced in both short term and long term work.  We can also work on an open-ended basis with regular reviews built in to the process to check in on how the work is progressing.   

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I take a whole-life approach and will sometimes explore the impact of sleeping patterns, physical wellbeing, health conditions, how we use technology and food/eating. My approach is always open-minded, curious and mindful of your needs, limits and resources.  I also keep in mind our wider context, how the messages and pressures from society effect us and how we can thrive within that as individuals and collectively.  Part of this may be thinking about our environment, the living world and how connected we are to nature.  

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I have worked with numerous clients with with ADHD (some with a diagnosis, some not), I have found that extending compassionate curiosity has been of paramount importance.  There are many ways in which the person with ADHD/ADD can feel like a failure, but coming to a greater understanding of how individual neurodivergent brains work, how to work with or around areas of challenge and not feeling shame all counter that message of failure.

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I am working both online (I use Whereby) and in-person. I work at Bristol Talking Therapies rooms, it is a light, airy space furnished to provide a tranquil, therapeutic space.  There is paid-for parking available just opposite, however its central location means that it is accessible using the bus or train.  There are bike racks beside Redcliffe Cathedral.  I am on the first floor overlooking the river.  

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