When your life looks different to the people around you, it's hard to know who you can talk to. Who'll get it? I know that feeling. It can be lonely.
The weight of the things you try not to say, and not to feel, can be exhausting. So can the effort of trying to be someone you're not. Having a space where you're allowed to be your whole self might just change everything. That space is what I offer. You can share whatever you want to with me.
I’m an integrative counsellor based in Birkenhead*
Often, I support people who live unconventional lives. That includes artists, entrepreneurs, queer folk, people exploring different relationship structures, and anyone else creating life on their own terms, whatever that means to them.
You may not get to choose who you are, or the situation you find yourself in, but you can choose your next step. You can decide what to create with the ingredients you have.
Honouring yourself even when it’s tough, and moulding life into a shape that fits, takes brave decisions. I want to help you find the strength to keep making them.
If you're struggling to summon the energy, I get it. I've been there. I'm here to support you from overwhelmed, anxious and depleted, to grounded, clear and confident.
*What is an integrative counsellor?
There are loads of different types of counselling. I describe myself as 'integrative' because I integrate, or draw from, a few different approaches. The main ones I use are person centred counselling, psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and mindfulness.
You don't really need all this detail, and you might not notice us move from one way of working to another because it all flows gently. So only read the rest of this section if you're interested. An example of how it works: I'll tailor what I offer to what you need, but I always start with a person centred approach. That means I acknowledge that you are the expert on you. We'll go at your pace, and talk about what you want to talk about. I'm not going to push you into areas you're not ready to explore; I'll take your lead. Maybe you start wondering, 'Why am I like that?' Why do I keep doing this even though it isn't working for me?' That's when I might pull out some psychodynamic ideas; great for helping you understand what's happening in your unconscious mind, and where your patterns came from. When you know those things, it's easier to be kind to yourself, and to make changes. Mindfulness and CBT will support you there. But that's just one route: If there are approaches you don't like, that's fine. Everything is your choice, and there are different ways of getting a similar outcome. I'm also expert in using writing as a therapeutic practice, and there are other creative approaches we could use. Studies consistently show that when you have a good therapeutic relationship with your counsellor, counselling is much more likely to be successful, regardless of the approach. So, if you like me, trust me, and want to work with me, we'll figure out the rest!