A standard session lasts for 1 hour. I am open to adjusting the length of our sessions (along with the fees), if we find that a different session length would be more beneficial for you.

The free 20-minute consultation is an informal, pressure-free conversation online or in person. It gives you a chance to share a little about what brings you to counselling, ask any questions about how I work, and get a feel for whether we are a good fit. There is no obligation to book a full session afterward, finding a counsellor you feel genuinely comfortable with is the most important part of the process.

No, you do not need a GP referral or a medical diagnosis to work with me. Because my approach is humanistic and non-pathologising, we do not focus on clinical labels or ticking symptom boxes. You might come to counselling because of anxiety, burnout, grief, a major life transition, or simply a sense that something feels heavy, whatever you are carrying is valid enough to explore.

Because my approach is humanistic and non-pathologising, I work with you as a whole person rather than a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. If you have been given a medical or psychiatric label—such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, neurodivergence, or a personality disorder—you are very welcome here, and we can explore how these experiences affect your daily life, relationships, and sense of self.

Working Safely Within My Scope of Practice

While I welcome clients with a wide range of lived experiences, I do not diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, or offer specialist clinical psychiatric treatment. As an independent private practice, I am also unable to provide 24/7 crisis support or intensive medical care.

During our free 20-minute consultation, we can talk openly about what you are experiencing and what kind of support you are looking for. If I feel that your needs would be better supported by a specialist NHS team, multi-disciplinary service, or a different type of therapy, I will be honest with you about this and help you think through appropriate next steps.

We will usually meet once a week at the same dedicated time.  The consistency of weekly sessions helps to build connection and keep the momentum alive while also giving you space to sit with new insights in your daily life. As you begin to feel more grounded and confident in your journey, we can always collaborate and gently shift our pace to fortnightly or monthly check-ins.
If committing to the same session time every week is impossible with your current schedule or other commitments, I'm open to discuss alternatives. 

Because everyone's life context and history are entirely unique, there is no fixed number of sessions required. Some people find that a few weeks of unpacking a specific life transition is enough, while others prefer open-ended, longer-term support. We will regularly review our work together naturally so you always remain in control of your journey.

Everything we discuss in our sessions is strictly confidential. The only exceptions to this are if I am required to share information by a court of law, or if I believe there is a serious, immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else. In those rare safeguarding situations, I would always aim to discuss this with you first.

In the UK mental health field, the terms "counselling", "therapy" or "psychotherapy" are generally used interchangeably, and there is no strict legal distinction between them. Historically, the term counselling became popular with the rise of humanistic psychology in the 1950s and 1960s, to differentiate from the strongly analytical and expert led therapies such as psychoanalysis or behavioural therapies. It described a non-medical, client-centred approach focused on personal growth.

Today, the lines have blurred, but counselling is often referred to as short term work on a current difficulty or challenging life event while therapy is considered to be a longer term work exploring life events and behavioural patterns. I am happy to work both ways depending on what you need at your current situation and what depth of work you are ready for.

Yes, I'm offering online counselling sessions. Online sessions are held via Doxy.me, a dedicated healthcare video platform designed specifically for confidential therapy and medical appointments. You do not need to create an account, remember a password, or download any software. Before our session, I will send you a secure, private link and you simply click it in your web browser on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to enter my virtual waiting room, and I will admit you when your appointment begins.  

Confidentiality and Privacy

Doxy.me uses end-to-end encryption and complies fully with UK GDPR data protection standards. Unlike standard consumer video apps, sessions are never recorded or stored on third-party servers, and your personal details are not tracked. To protect your privacy at home, please choose a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable speaking freely without being overheard. Using headphones can also add an extra layer of confidentiality. It is up to you if you would like to have the camera turned on or off during the session.

What if the internet connection drops?

Technology isn't always predictable, and connection glitches can happen. Before we begin working together, we will agree on a simple backup plan. If our video freezes or disconnects, we will both try refreshing the Doxy.me link first. If the signal remains unstable, I cancall you on your phone so we can continue our session without losing our time together.

In-person sessions take place in my private, quiet garden therapy room in the Sandylands area of Morecambe (LA3). Free on-street parking is available right outside. Full directions are shared once we confirm your first session. 

Not driving? There  are frequent buses running directly between Lancaster City Centre, Lancaster University and Morecambe stopping within a short walk of my office.

Life doesn't always fit neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule. Alongside daytime and early evening appointments, I offer limited number of 'Night Owl' sessions between 9 pm and 11 pm for anyone who finds it easier to fit late sessions into their life. These sessions follow the exact same format and £45 fee as daytime appointments.

I operate a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or change our appointment, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at 50% of the fee, as that time slot has been reserved exclusively for you.  Cancellation within 1 hour or no-shows will be charged at full price. If you are unwell or facing an unexpected emergency, please let me know as soon as possible and we can look at rescheduling or moving your session online .