SERVICES AND SPECIALISMS
Whilst I am happy to take enquiries from anybody who is currently facing difficulties, there are some areas where I feel that my qualifications and my own personal and professional experience enables me to offer a more specialised service
Contact me today to book in for an initial chat
‘The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change’
Carl Rogers
YOUNG PEOPLE - FROM AGE 11+
CARERS - ADULT AND YOUNG PEOPLE
EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS
ADULTS & YOUNG PEOPLE WHO IDENTIFY AS NEURODIVERGENT
Adolescence is a time of great change both physically and emotionally, and recent developments in neuroscience have revealed the vast amount of reorganisation that is taking place within the brain which continues until the age of 25. Please read the separate page 'Young People' for more information about how we can work together during this exciting but sometimes bewildering developmental stage.
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. As a carer, you may be juggling caring responsibilities with work, study and other family commitments. Get in touch to discuss how I can support you through this demanding and often challenging role.
As somebody who has worked in the education sector for many years, alongside health and social care professionals, I have an understanding of the specific and sometimes overwhelming pressures of working within sectors where your focus is on the needs of others - and never more than at the present time! I can offer you the time and space to process difficult experiences and find some balance in complex and challenging circumstances.
Whether you have a diagnosis of autism, ADHD or other neurodivergent identity, or recognise certain characteristics in yourself or a family member that are consistent with neurodivergence, the world can often feel like a hostile environment. I can support with the challenges which can result from the constant drain of masking to get by & fit in with neurotypical society. Get in touch to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your specific needs from counselling & see if I am the right fit for you.
FEES AND PAYMENT
ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE
£50 per hour
INITIAL ASSESSMENTS
£30 per assessment
COUNSELLING STUDENTS AND REDUCED FEE
I offer a small number of discounted sessions per week for counselling students and for people in exceptional circumstances - please contact me to discuss your requirements
BLOCK BOOKINGS
I offer a set of six sessions at a reduced rate of £275 when prepaid in advance
Payment is required 24 hours in advance of each session. My preferred method of payment is via Bank Transfer.
Account Number: 69778802 Sort Code:60-83-71
APPOINTMENT TIMES
Mon - Thurs: 7am - 8.30pm
Weekends: I offer a limited number of weekend appointments - please enquire for availability
HOW DO I BOOK MY FIRST SESSION?
You can use the Contact Form on the website, or you can phone, text or email me, whichever feels best for you. I will normally respond within 24 hours, at which point we can make an arrangement for an initial assessment appointment on the day and time that suits you best. I will then provide you with the address, send you a Zoom invitation or phone you at the arranged time.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY CHILD?
If you follow the same procedure described above for booking an appointment for yourself; I will need to incorporate a short meeting between myself, you and your child (approx 10/15 minutes) so that all parties are clear about how confidentiality, data protection and safeguarding requirements work when a young person accesses counselling.
WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT?
An assessment is carried out in your first session, where you tell me a bit about you, what has brought you to therapy and what you may like to achieve through attending. It is a good opportunity for you to decide if I am the right therapist for you, and for me to consider whether I am the best person to help with your specific needs, or whether it would be in your best interests to signpost you to a more appropriate therapist or service. During the assessment session,  I will take down some information on an assessment form. This is the only time that I will take notes during a session; I make short factual notes at the end of each session as an 'aide memoire' which are stored securely according to Data Protection regulations.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
A standard therapy session lasts for 50 minutes; please allow yourself plenty of time so that you can arrive punctually and make the best use of your session.
DO I HAVE TO COME TO SESSIONS EVERY WEEK?
I understand that some people may find it difficult to commit to weekly sessions for a variety of reasons and offer some flexibility around this. However, I do believe that maintaining some consistency is helpful and would highly recommend that weekly sessions are attended in the initial stages of therapy.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
This will be an individual decision and we can discuss your needs during your assessment. I can offer both fixed term and long term therapy.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN'T ATTEND OR HAVE A HOLIDAY BOOKED?
At the start of our sessions, we will commit to an agreement for working together. Within this agreement, it will be set out how much notice is required if unable to attend or taking a holiday. Emergency and last minute cancellations will be considered on an individual basis.
DO YOU HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS?
No - however, it is my belief that you are the ultimate expert on yourself and, with my help, you will be able to develop a greater awareness of how you can use your own unique abilities and qualities to bring about the changes you want in your life.
WHAT IF I FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT FOR ME ORÂ IÂ WANT TO STOP?
We will have regular reviews during your sessions. However, if you feel like either it is not the right time for you, or that I am not the best fit for you, then please raise this with me as soon as possible. I would be happy to postpone sessions until a more appropriate time. Alternatively, I have a wide network of highly experienced colleagues who I could refer you to, or could signpost you to directories where you can access details of other professionals
HOW CAN I RAISE A CONCERN ABOUT MY SESSIONS?
If you have any concerns regarding my work with you, I would urge you to raise them directly with me so that we can address them. If you would like to raise this formally, you can use the 'Ask Kathleen' service which is available via the BACP website.