After you first get in touch, I’ll arrange a free telephone conversation of around 15 to 20 minutes at a time that suits us both.

During this call I’ll ask for some brief personal details, and invite you to share a little about what has brought you to counselling at this time. This helps me to understand your situation and explore with you whether what I offer is the right fit for your needs. There is no obligation to proceed after this call, and no pressure at any stage.

Yes. Online counselling sessions take place via a secure video platform and work just as well as in-person sessions for many people. Online counselling means that wherever you are in the UK, we can work together from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Sessions are available in person at my private counselling rooms in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire and Nottingham, or online via a secure video platform. We’ll discuss what works best for you during our initial telephone conversation.

Each session is 60 minutes long.

There are no minimum or maximum number of sessions, and you are free to finish at any point. I take payment on a session by session basis for that reason.

Where possible, I ask that you give me at least a week’s notice before your final session so that we can have a proper ending to our work together. I understand, however, that there may be circumstances where this isn’t possible.

Counselling works best when there is a safe, private space between just the two of us. Building that trusting relationship is at the heart of the work, and having someone else present would make it very difficult for you to speak as freely and openly as you deserve to.

For that reason, I work on a one to one basis only, for both in-person and online sessions.

Session fees are as follows:

• Deeping St James and online sessions: £50 per session
• Nottingham sessions: £60 per session

Each session is 60 minutes long. There is no charge for the initial telephone consultation.

All sessions are payable by bank transfer in advance. Payment for your first session is required following our initial telephone consultation. Thereafter, payment should be made at least 24 hours before each scheduled session.

I ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. If less than 24 hours notice is given, the full session fee will be charged, although I do consider exceptions on a case by case basis.

In the unlikely event that I need to cancel a session with less than 24 hours notice, your next session will be provided free of charge.

Everything you share with me will remain confidential, where it is safe to do so. There are certain circumstances where I have a legal or ethical obligation to break confidentiality – for example, where there is a risk to yourself or to others, particularly children or vulnerable adults.

In those situations, I will always speak with you first about my intention to share information, including who I will tell and why, before taking any action.

If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please do get in touch to let me know. I ask that all contact is made between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Please be aware that I am not a crisis service and am unable to provide crisis support. If you are struggling and need urgent support, please make use of the resources below:

• If your life is in immediate danger, please call 999
• You can be connected to your local crisis team by calling 111
• The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at samaritans.org or by calling 116 123 (free)
• The NHS also has detailed guidance on mental health crisis support at nhs.uk/mental-health

I offer individual counselling for adults aged 18 and over only. I am not able to work with children or young people under the age of 18.

For counselling to be effective, it’s important that the person seeking support feels ready and willing to engage. This can sometimes be difficult if someone feels they have been told or pressured to come.

I also need to consider the nature of any existing relationships. Where someone referred has a close personal connection to a current client – for example, a family member or someone within the same household – it would not be appropriate for me to work with both people. This is to protect the confidentiality and therapeutic space of everyone involved.

For that reason, I don’t take direct referrals from current clients. However, if someone you know is interested in counselling, they are very welcome to get in touch with me directly to arrange an initial conversation, and we can discuss together whether working with me would be appropriate.

Breathwork is a gentle and powerful practice that works directly with the breath to support your nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and help you feel more grounded and present.

As a qualified Breathwork coach, I may gently introduce breathwork techniques within our counselling sessions where it feels helpful and appropriate. This is always discussed and agreed with you first, and there is no pressure to try anything that doesn’t feel right for you.