How do I start working with you?

Get in touch by email or through the contact form on this site. We'll arrange an initial conversation to talk about what's bringing you to therapy and whether we might be a good fit for each other. There's no pressure, it's simply a chance for us to get a sense of one another.

What might a first session be like?

A first session is mostly about getting to know each other. You can talk about whatever feels most pressing, there's no script or set of questions you need to get through. I'll be listening carefully, getting a feel for how I might be able to help. It's natural to feel a bit nervous. You don't need to have it all figured out before you arrive.

Will you give me advice?

People often expect a therapist to tell them what to do, but that's not really how therapy works. If advice were enough, you probably wouldn't need therapy — you can get advice anywhere. Instead, I'll help you see yourself and your situation more clearly so you can make choices that feel right for you.

How will talking help?

It can be hard to see how "just talking" will make a difference, but talking is at the heart of therapy. As you talk openly, you begin to notice patterns, understand yourself better, and find new possibilities. It takes time, therapy isn't a quick fix, but research consistently shows that most people benefit significantly.

What if I feel angry or frustrated with you?

This is completely normal and, in fact, it's often a sign that something important is happening. Strong feelings towards your therapist can reflect patterns from other relationships. Talking about those feelings — rather than avoiding them or leaving — is often where the most valuable work happens.

Is therapy like talking to a friend?

It's quite different. With friends, you choose what to share and take turns. In therapy, you're encouraged to say whatever comes to mind, even things that feel uncomfortable or seemingly unimportant. Your therapist also can't socialise with you outside sessions — not because they wouldn't enjoy your company, but because that boundary is what allows the work to be effective.

How long does therapy last?

There's no fixed length. Some people come for a few months, others for much longer. It depends on what you're working through and what you want from the process. When the time comes to end, we'll talk about it together, ending well is an important part of therapy in itself.

What is Gestalt therapy?

Gestalt therapy pays close attention to what's happening in the present moment, how you're feeling right now, what you're aware of, how you make contact with the world around you. Rather than just analysing the past, it's interested in how old patterns show up in the here and now, and how you might find new, more satisfying ways of being. It's an active, relational approach we work together rather than me sitting back and interpreting.

What is nature allied therapy?

Nature allied therapy brings the natural world into the therapeutic process. This might mean holding sessions outdoors in a park, woodland, or green space rather than in a consulting room. Being in nature can help people feel more grounded, more embodied, and sometimes more able to access feelings that are harder to reach indoors. It's not just therapy that happens to be outside; the natural environment becomes part of the work.

How is nature based therapy different from more traditional therapy?

In a traditional setting, you're in a room with four walls, face to face. Outdoors, the experience is quite different there's movement, space, weather, the presence of other living things. Some people find that walking side by side feels less pressured than sitting opposite someone. Nature can also offer metaphors and experiences that arise naturally and become part of the conversation. The therapeutic principles are the same, but the setting opens up different possibilities.

What is the difference between counselling, psychotherapy and coaching?

The boundaries aren't always clear-cut, but broadly: counselling tends to focus on a specific issue or difficulty and is often shorter term. Psychotherapy goes deeper into underlying patterns, how you relate to others, and how your past shapes your present it usually unfolds over a longer period. Coaching is forward-looking and goal-oriented, focused on where you want to get to and how to get there, rather than exploring emotional or psychological difficulties in depth. In practice, these areas often overlap, and the approach I take with you will depend on what you need.

You can read more about me and how I work and more information about how to get started