Counselling
A place to talk honestly about what is going on, without having to have it all worked out first.
A Person-Centred Approach
I work person-centred, which means I don’t come to therapy with a plan for who I think you should be or what I think you need to change.
I believe you have the capacity to understand yourself and make your own choices. My role isn’t to tell you what to do or give you ready-made answers, but to work alongside you as you make sense of what is happening and begin to understand yourself more clearly.
The Core Conditions
Empathy, acceptance and congruence are at the centre of how I work.
I want you to be able to talk honestly about what is really going on, including the thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to acknowledge.
For me, acceptance doesn’t mean agreeing with everything you say. It means trying to understand your experience from your perspective, without judgement, while being genuine with you about what I notice.
My role is to work alongside you in that process, bringing my experience, my curiosity and, when it’s needed, my honesty.
Honesty & Congruence
Congruence matters to me.
I won’t hide behind professional language or sit in the room pretending to be someone I’m not. I’m a real person, and I think that matters in the therapeutic relationship.
If something feels important, I’ll say so. I’ll do that honestly and with care, even when what I have to say might be difficult to hear.
Thoughtful Challenge
Person-centred counselling isn’t about me telling you what to do. But I also don’t think therapy should mean simply agreeing with everything you say.
Sometimes I’ll ask a difficult question. Sometimes I might point out something I’ve noticed or gently challenge a pattern that seems to be getting in the way.
You don’t have to agree with me. The point isn’t for me to have the answer. It’s to give you something to think about and help you understand yourself a little differently.
Congruence is one of the core values of person-centred counselling, and it’s probably the one that most shapes the way I work.
How I Work
01.
Person-Centred Counselling
Our work begins with you—your experiences, your concerns and what feels important. I’ll support you in finding your own understanding rather than offering ready-made answers.
02.
Empathy & Acceptance
You’ll have space to speak openly and explore every part of your experience without judgement, including the thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to acknowledge.
03.
Honesty & Congruence
I won’t hide behind professional language. If I notice something that feels important, I’ll share it openly, honestly and with care.
04.
Thoughtful Challenge
Counselling isn’t simply agreeing with everything you say. When it may help, I’ll ask difficult questions and gently challenge patterns that could be holding you back.
05.
Online or in Birkdale
Individual 50-minute sessions are available online via Zoom or in person in Birkdale, giving you the option that feels most comfortable.
What to expect
I work from a person-centred approach to counselling. For me, that doesn’t mean sitting quietly and agreeing with everything you say. It doesn’t mean I’ll tell you what to do either.
Congruence is one of the core values of person-centred counselling, and it’s probably the one that most shapes the way I work. To me, congruence means being real. I won’t hide behind professional language or pretend to think one thing while saying another. If I notice something that I believe is important, I’ll say it. If I think you’re avoiding something, I’ll ask about it. If I think you’re getting in your own way, I’ll tell you.
Afterall how else do we grow if we’re never challenged?
The three core conditions of person-centred counselling of empathy, acceptance and congruence aren’t just ideas I use in my work. They’re qualities I try to live by. To me, they represent the kind of human being I want to be, not just the kind of therapist I want to be.
So, if you’re looking for someone who will simply agree with everything you say, I’m probably not the right therapist for you.
If you’re looking for kindness, honesty and courage, someone who isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions or challenge you when it’s needed, then I think we will work well together.
