I currently offer counselling to children, young people, adults and couples. I work face to face, online and on the telephone
What might counselling be like if you are a child or young person?
Counselling can be daunting at any age but sometimes we all need professional support to enable a different approach or a clearer way of thinking, we may need to find tools to support us when things are difficult.
When I work with children/young people it will be initially about building a relationship so they feel safe to explore their world with me. This will usually be on their own without an adult present. We will look at what they are finding difficult and explore how they might learn to manage this; perhaps challenging difficult thoughts, finding strategies, learning to understand and express emotion. Working in a safe, respectful, and encouraging environment helps support your child or young person to reach their potential.
I have a fully enhanced DBS and am trained in Safeguarding and Child Protection. I am passionate about my work with our young people and ensure I put the child/young person at the centre of the work I do.
Working with adults and couples
Together we will build a relationship where you feel safe and able to explore your life and the things you have been finding difficult. Sometimes this may involve challenge, looking at things from a different perspective, discovering strategies to help support you, looking at your past, looking at the behaviours and patterns you experience – but mostly it is about someone hearing you and giving you the freedom to talk and explore the world as you experience it. Counselling is a very individual journey, you are unique so your counselling will be too.
When working with couples it is about offering a safe respectful space for the couple to explore both individual and joint difficulties. This is often about communication, we sometimes get stuck in habits and behaviours and need to explore how this can work more effectively. Perhaps learning to hear each other and explore unhelpful behaviours that hold back the relationship from moving forward. Couple work can also be about negotiating separation more amicably.
How we can work
Face to Face
Sessions are 50 minutes long; this would usually happen weekly but we can talk about what suits you. This would take place in my private practice which is based in my home in Orpington.
Online/telephone
Online counselling is a way for you to engage in counselling using internet technology such as Zoom, telephone or a webcam video link. It offers a huge amount of flexibility and works very well. Some clients have found this method suits them better.
Counselling on the telephone again works very well for some clients, it can offer anonymity but again is flexible and can fit in with your life very easily.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and usually happen weekly.