Frequently asked questions

Integrative counselling is a combined approach to psychotherapy that brings together different elements of specific therapies. At the heart of my practice, I believe that there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations. Rather, each person needs to be considered as a whole and counselling techniques must be tailored to your individual needs and personal circumstances - making it arguably a more flexible and inclusive approach to treatment than more traditional, singular forms of counselling or psychotherapy.

All sessions last up to 50 minutes.

The frequency of counselling sessions varies depending on individual needs, goals, and the nature of the issues being addressed. Generally, many people begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and explore their concerns in depth. This regularity helps create a sense of continuity and safety, which is often crucial in the early stages of therapy.

As progress is made, sessions may shift to bi-weekly or even monthly, depending on how comfortable you feel and how you are managing. Some people may continue with regular sessions for maintenance, while others might prefer to return for counselling only when new difficulties arise.

Ultimately, the ideal frequency is something you and I can decide together, based on what feels right for you. The key is to ensure you're getting the support you need at the pace that works best for you.

Payment is made by bank transfer before each session. I share the details with you when we begin working together.

You don’t need to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to benefit from counselling. You may simply feel that something isn’t quite right, feel overwhelmed, anxious or stuck, or find yourself repeating patterns that you don’t understand.

Sometimes you may not even know exactly what you need help with. That’s okay. We can explore this together and work out what would be most helpful for you.

You can talk about whatever feels important to you. This might include anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, relationships, family difficulties, work pressures, life changes, loss, confidence, feeling overwhelmed or simply feeling unhappy or stuck.

You don’t need to have everything worked out before you come. We can start with whatever is happening for you now.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and for you to talk about what has brought you to counselling.

I’ll ask some questions to understand what you’re experiencing and what you would like to be different. We’ll also talk about what you hope to get from counselling and how we might work together.

There is no expectation that you will know exactly what to say. We can take it at your pace.

That’s completely normal.

You don’t need to arrive with a list of things to discuss. Sometimes it can be difficult to put feelings into words, particularly when you’ve been trying to cope on your own.

I can help you explore what is happening and gently guide the conversation when needed.

There is no set number of sessions because everyone is different.

Some people come for a relatively short period to work through a particular difficulty, while others choose to have longer-term therapy to explore deeper or longstanding patterns.

We’ll regularly consider how you’re finding the process and what you need from counselling.

No. My role isn’t to tell you what decisions to make or give you a list of instructions.

Instead, I will help you explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences and options so that you can develop a clearer understanding of yourself and make decisions that feel right for you.

No. Counselling is a confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk honestly about things that you may not feel able to discuss elsewhere.

You don’t have to pretend that you’re coping or worry about saying the “wrong” thing.

I work integratively, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on what is most helpful for you.

My work is grounded particularly in Person-Centred and Psychodynamic approaches. This allows us both to focus on what you’re experiencing now and, where appropriate, explore how earlier experiences and relationships may be influencing the way you feel and respond today.

Most importantly, I tailor the way I work to you rather than expecting you to fit a particular model of therapy.

Yes. What you discuss with me is treated confidentially within the professional and legal boundaries that apply to counselling.

At the beginning of our work, I’ll explain confidentiality and the circumstances in which information may need to be shared, so that you understand how your information is handled.

No. Although earlier experiences can sometimes help us understand current feelings, relationships and patterns, we won’t explore your past simply for the sake of it.

We’ll focus on what is relevant and helpful to you, and we’ll work at a pace that feels manageable.

It’s completely okay to become emotional in counselling.

You don’t need to hold everything together or worry about being upset. Counselling can sometimes bring up difficult feelings, and I’ll give you the time and space you need.

The relationship between therapist and client is really important.

That’s why I offer a free 15-minute telephone or Zoom conversation before you decide whether you’d like to start counselling. It gives you an opportunity to tell me a little about what you’re looking for, ask any questions and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking to me.

There is no obligation to continue.

Yes. I offer both face-to-face counselling from my private practice in Solihull and online counselling via Zoom. We can discuss which option would work best for you.

If you’d like to find out whether counselling could help, you can get in touch to arrange a free 15-minute telephone or Zoom conversation.

It’s a simple first step, and there’s no pressure to commit to ongoing counselling.

Feel free to get in touch with me for counselling and psychotherapy in Solihull or online.

Not sure if I'm the right Therapist?

Get in touch

Taking the first step can feel hard - but you're very welcome to reach out. I offer a free, informal call so you can ask any questions you have, and I can share more about how I work so you can get a sense of whether therapy with me feels like the right fit.

If you'd prefer, you can fill out the booking form to request a call-back at a time that works for you.

I treat all enquiries with care and keep them strictly confidential. I aim to respond within 48 hours. If there are any times it's not appropriate to leave a message, please let me know - I'm happy to contact you at a time that feels safe and comfortable for you.