Your questions answered

What issues can counselling help with?

You might feel drawn to counselling if:

• You’re carrying emotions that feel heavy, tangled, or hard to name

• You’ve been suffering with stress, anxiety and/or panic for a while

• Life feels stuck, uncertain, or out of balance

• You’re navigating loss, change, or relational challenges

• You sense repeating patterns but aren’t sure how to shift them

• You long for a space to reflect, heal, or reconnect with your inner self

What is the best way to tackle stress, anxiety and panic?

If you’re asking yourself this question and visiting my site, you’re on the right track. First and foremost, these are natural part of how we cope with threats as human-beings. Anxiety is the body’s signal to our mind that something is not quite right, the world or life feels threatening in some way. It can also be caused by persistent worry, which might be to do with behaving or acting in a way that goes against our values.

Think of anxiety as the signal and stress as the preparation for action. Stress preps the body for action to counter-act the threat. We often feel more alert, ready to go, heart beating quicker, breathing shallow, cortisol released into our blood. Panic can be caused by a variety of concerns but it usually follows on from persistent or chronic anxiety or stress.

The body and mind can only cope with so much feeling of insecurity that anxiety signals and the stress response we experience. In a world where the tiger lives inside us and cannot be perceived as easily, anxiety, stress and panic are all products of trying to cope in a world that is not designed for how we see the world.

You can read my blog on stress and anxiety here for more information.

How often should I attend counselling?

It is up to you based on cost, how stable you feel about the presenting issue, and your availability. Most clients attend sessions once per week because this offers a good amount of time to process what has been spoken about the week before and to prepare for the next session. Weekly sessions also offer continuity and momentum.

I would only recommend monthly sessions for clients post therapy who wish to engage in further knowledge about themselves. I offer growth counselling in this case. Ad hoc sessions are only recommended for clients that need to speak about an unpredictable issue.

Is everything I say confidential?

Professional counselling establishes a firm premise that client confidentiality is paramount. Of course this has legal exceptions that I am obligated to tell you about by Law. These will be advised before our first counselling session.

What happens in a typical counselling session?

First and foremost, there is no such thing as a typical session. As your focus shifts so will your priorities and what you want to talk about. All sessions are 50 minutes in length, which is a good amount of time to explore what is troubling you but too much that we might become overwhelmed.

What issues can you help with?

I am a fully qualified professional counsellor which means that I work within an ethical framework so I can offer a safe space for my clients. I can offer issue-focussed counselling that concerns moderate emotional challenges such as stress and anxiety, relationship difficulties, bereavement and loss, and life transitions.

I could offer a full list but as long as your presenting issues sounds like a match I can offer counselling to you. I offer a free 20-minute initial assessment, the purpose of which is partly for this reason.

What happens in the first counselling session?

The first session is a follow-on from the initial chat and serves as a confirmation that we want to work together in the long term. It gives us both a chance to see how we bond and how you react to my style of counselling.

This is important because every therapist’s approach is unique, just like the client’s experience. We will talk about progress about every 6 sessions. You can stop or pause counselling at any time.

You don’t have to bear all so to speak at the first session, or even second session. It is really the beginning as we learn to trust each other.

What happens if I miss a session?

I will send you a text message to confirm you are safe, otherwise you will receive an email asking if you would like to book another session. If you cancel within 12 hours of the session, there may be a charge.

I am autistic – do you offer shorter sessions if I struggle with longer ones?

Yes, I offer flexible sessions if you autistic, and I offer 30-minute sessions. This gives you complete flexibility over your session-length so you get the most out of the session.

Can I sit on the floor?

Yes, I have bean bags or if you prefer we can conduct the session directly on the floor.

Can I do sessions online or by phone?

Yes, I offer in-person, online with video via Google Meet, or telephone sessions. We will speak about which mode of counselling would best suit you during the initial assessment.

Do I have to have video on during an online session?

Ideally because it is much harder to conduct a session if I cannot see you. If this is an issue for you, please bring it to my attention during the free initial assessment.

What if I feel unsafe or overwhelmed during a session?

You can bring that to my attention as soon as you can. I will immediately slow the pace and invite your to grounding techniques such as breathing or sensory awareness. I may also shift the focus away from what we are talking about to the present moment.

I will monitor you and when you feel safe to continue we can, or we might close the session prematurely. Your physical and psychological safety is paramount. I am also a Mental Health First Aider so if you feel anxious or feeling like a panic attack is on the way, I can help you to recover.

What qualifications do you have?

I am fully qualified professional counsellor which means I have undergone at least 300 hours of classroom training, 100 hours of counselling in placement. These have led to a Level 4 Diploma. I am also studying to become a qualified Positive Psychology Practitioner. The training of a counsellor never stops however. I am committed to constant and consistent learning based on my ongoing needs to best support my clients. I am also an Emotionally-Focused Therapist (EFT).

How do I book my first session?

I ask all clients to book a free 30-minute initial chat on the phone, after which I will ask if you would like to continue to counselling sessions. If so, I will book the first session in line with our mutual availability.

Can I speak to someone before committing to therapy?

Yes, you can reach out to me at any time by telephone, email or WhatsApp and if I am not immediately available I will get back to you as soon as I can.

What if I’ve had a bad experience with counselling before?

It’s completely understandable to feel hesitant after a difficult experience with therapy. Counselling is a vulnerable process, and when it doesn’t feel safe, attuned, or helpful, it can leave lasting emotional echoes. I honour that history. If you’ve felt unheard, misunderstood, or even harmed in a previous therapeutic space, I invite you to bring that into the room — gently, and at your own pace. You won’t be judged or rushed. You have complete control over how you would like your therapy to be.

Can I have the same session time every week?

Absolutely! In fact I welcome that because a consistent weekly slot helps create rhythm, reliability, and emotional safety, especially when life feels unpredictable. If your schedule changes or you need flexibility, I’ll do my best to accommodate. But your regular slot is yours for as long as you need it.

Do you offer home visits?

Yes, if you cannot attend my office in person or online video sessions, I can usually accommodate home visits within a 7 mile radius of SS3 postcode. This covers, Rochford, Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff, Southchurch and Wakering areas. My office has two flights of stairs so is not suitable for accessible clients with walking difficulties. You might also have social anxiety (used to be called agoraphobia), which are other reasons I could accommodate a home visit.

Do you offer reduced rates or concessions?

Yes, this is covered in my website here.

Is there a cancellation policy or fee for cancellation?

If you cancel or reschedule within 12 hours of the session starting, it is likely I will still invoice for the session unless due to an exceptional circumstance that means you could not attend the session. Each circumstance will be considered uniquely. I don’t charge any fee for sessions rescheduled or charged outside the 12 hour period before the session.

Can I pay per session or in blocks?

Yes, either is fine. I don’t offer a discount for multiple sessions booked at the same time.

Where are you located

My office is located at the Caulfield Road end of Richmond Avenue, a two minute walk from Shoeburyness High School. My office is also served by these bus services from the City centre: 2, 7, 8, 9 and 21A.

Where can I park?

I don’t offer dedicated parking but there is ample free residential street parking either in Richmond Avenue or adjacent streets.

Do you offer a toilet facility?

I don’t offer a toilet facility but there are public toilets at East Beach and also at the Ness Road end of Campfield Road.

If you have any questions that are not addressed on this page, please reach out via the Contact Me page.