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Therapy & Counselling Services

Personalised Support for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression & Personal Growth

Welcome to a space where healing happens at your pace. I offer compassionate, trauma-informed therapy and counselling services designed to meet your unique needs. Whether you're seeking deep transformational work, focused support for a specific issue, or guidance for personal growth.

All services are available both in-person in South Lakes, Cumbria, and online across the UK.

Not sure which service is right for you? Book a free consultation call to discuss your needs.

Open-Ended Personal Therapy

Deep Healing for Lasting Transformation. For those ready to explore, process, and heal at a deeper level. Open-ended personal therapy is long-term therapeutic work focused on addressing the underlying roots of your struggles - whether that's trauma, attachment wounds, chronic anxiety or depression, relationship patterns, or ongoing personal challenges.

£50 /per session

This service is ideal if you:

  • Are experiencing complex trauma, developmental trauma, or childhood wounds
  • Struggle with chronic anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm
  • Find yourself repeating unhelpful relationship or behavioural patterns
  • Have tried shorter-term therapy but need deeper, more sustained work
  • Want to truly understand yourself and create lasting change
  • Are committed to the therapeutic process and personal growth
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Single Session Therapy

Solution-oriented therapy for specific concerns and clarity. Single session therapy (SST) is a concentrated, focused approach designed to address a specific issue, provide clarity on a challenge, or offer support during a particular moment in your life. It's ideal when you need therapeutic input but don't require ongoing long-term work.

£70/per session

This service is ideal if you:

  • Are facing a specific decision or life transition
  • Need clarity on a particular relationship or work challenge
  • Are experiencing acute stress related to a recent event
  • Want to process a specific experience or emotion
  • Are unsure about therapy and want to "test the waters"
  • Need support navigating a current life situation
  • Have done previous therapy and need a "tune-up" session
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Life Coaching

For those ready to move from surviving to thriving. Life coaching is distinct from therapy - it's future-focused, action-oriented support designed to help you achieve specific goals, develop skills, and create the life you want. While therapy often addresses past wounds and current struggles, coaching helps you build on your strengths and move toward your aspirations.

£60/per session

This service is ideal if you:

  • Want to improve communication and relationship skills
  • Are navigating career transitions or professional development
  • Seek to strengthen leadership or management capabilities
  • Want accountability and structure for achieving personal goals
  • Are ready to break through limiting patterns and step into your potential
  • Need support building confidence and self-efficacy
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Frequently asked questions

Am I weak or flawed if I need therapy?

Absolutely not. Needing or seeking therapy is one of the most courageous and powerful things you can do for yourself, and it is never a sign of weakness or being flawed.

In fact, quite the opposite is true:

  • It's a Sign of Strength: It takes immense courage and self-awareness to acknowledge when you're struggling and to actively seek support. It shows you are committed to your well-being and are willing to do the work to feel better.

  • It's a Proactive Choice: Deciding to engage in therapy is a proactive step towards understanding yourself, developing healthier coping mechanisms, and creating a more fulfilling life. It's about taking control, not losing it.

  • Mental Health is Like Physical Health: Just as you wouldn't hesitate to see a doctor for a broken bone or a persistent cough, seeking support for your mental health is a normal and healthy part of taking care of your overall well-being. Everyone experiences challenges, stress, and emotional pain at different points in their lives.

  • It's About Growth, Not Failure: Therapy isn't about "fixing" something that's broken; it's about gaining tools, insights, and a safe space to process your experiences. It's an investment in your personal growth and resilience.

The stigma surrounding mental health is unfortunately still prevalent in some areas, but it is rapidly diminishing. More and more people are recognising that prioritising mental health is a sign of wisdom and self-respect. Choosing therapy means choosing yourself.

What can I expect from my first counselling session?
Your first counselling session is primarily an opportunity for us to get to know each other and for you to decide if you feel comfortable working with me. It's a space where you can share what's brought you to counselling and what you hope to gain from our time together.
 
Here's what you can generally expect:

  • A Warm Welcome: I'll greet you warmly and help you feel at ease in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment.

  • Understanding Your Needs: We'll start by discussing what's on your mind and what challenges or feelings you're currently experiencing. This isn't about deep diving into everything at once, but rather getting a sense of what you'd like to focus on.

  • Your Goals: We'll talk about what you hope to achieve through counselling. Do you want to reduce anxiety, improve relationships, understand yourself better, or something else? Setting some initial goals can help guide our work.

  • My Approach: I'll explain a little about how I work as an integrative counsellor and how our sessions might unfold. You'll have the chance to ask any questions you have about my methods or the therapeutic process.

  • Confidentiality & Logistics: We'll briefly cover practical aspects like confidentiality, session length, fees, and cancellation policies.

  • Answering Your Questions: This is your time to ask anything at all – about me, my experience, the counselling process, or anything else that comes to mind.

  • No Pressure: There's absolutely no pressure to commit to further sessions at the end of our first meeting. It's a chance for you to assess if I'm the right fit for you. My aim is for you to leave feeling heard, understood, and with a clearer idea of how we might work together.

Ultimately, the first session is about establishing a foundational connection and ensuring you feel safe and confident moving forward.
What is an integrative counsellor?

An integrative counsellor is someone who draws from different types of therapeutic approaches to create a personalised support plan just for you. This means therapy isn’t ever ‘one size fits all.’ Instead, an integrative counsellor listens to your unique story, your struggles such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, loss or grief, and uses methods best suited to help you gently explore, heal, and grow.​

If you’re wondering what this looks like in practice: your counsellor might blend person-centred work, which nurtures self-acceptance and compassion, with practical tools from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or calming mindfulness techniques. They may also draw on psychodynamic insights, helping you to understand how your past shapes your present, always making sure what’s offered feels right for you.​

Integrative counselling is holistic, focusing on your emotional, mental, and sometimes spiritual well-being, and invites you to take an active role in your healing journey. It’s especially supportive when life feels uncertain, heavy, or overwhelming, and can help you reconnect with hope and resilience.

How long does therapy usually last?

The length of therapy can vary quite a lot from person to person, as it's a very individual journey. There isn't a "one-size-fits-all" answer, as it depends on several factors:

  • Your Goals and Needs: If you're seeking help for a specific, focused issue (like managing a particular phobia or a short-term stressful event), shorter-term therapy might be sufficient (e.g., 6-12 sessions). If you're exploring deeper-rooted issues, past trauma, or seeking more profound personal growth, longer-term or open-ended therapy might be more beneficial.
  • The Nature of the Issue: Some mental health challenges naturally require more time and consistent work to address effectively.
  • Your Engagement: The more consistently you engage in sessions and apply what you learn between sessions, the more progress you're likely to see.
  • Therapeutic Approach: Some therapeutic approaches are designed to be shorter-term and more structured (like some forms of CBT), while others, such as person-centred or psychodynamic therapies, can often be longer-term as they delve deeper into underlying patterns.

Typically, therapy can range from:

  • Short-term (6-12 sessions): Often focuses on specific problems, skill-building, or immediate crises.

  • Medium-term (12-24 sessions): Allows for exploration of more complex issues and the development of sustainable coping strategies.

  • Long-term (24+ sessions or open-ended): Suitable for deeper personal growth, addressing long-standing patterns, or working through more complex or chronic conditions.

During your initial assessment, we'll discuss your goals and I can give you a better idea of what might be a suitable duration for you. We'll regularly review your progress and adjust the plan as needed, ensuring that therapy continues to meet your evolving needs. Ultimately, the decision about when to end therapy is always yours, and we will work towards a safe and planned ending when you feel ready.

How do I know if a therapist is qualified?
It's absolutely essential to ensure that any therapist you choose is properly qualified and adheres to high professional standards. This helps ensure your safety and that you receive effective support. In the UK, there are several key indicators of a qualified and ethical therapist:
 
Professional Body Membership:
The most reliable way to check a therapist's qualifications and ethical standing is to see if they are a registered member of a recognised professional body. The two main ones in the UK for counselling and psychotherapy are:
 
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): Look for therapists who are "MBACP" (Member of BACP) or, even better, "MBACP (Accred)" (Accredited Member). Accreditation signifies a higher level of experience and competence, demonstrated through a rigorous assessment process.
 
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS): Similarly, check for "MNCS" (Member of NCS) or "MNCS (Accred)" (Accredited Member).

These bodies have strict entry requirements, ethical frameworks, and complaints procedures. Being on their registers means the therapist has met specific training criteria, adheres to a code of ethics, and engages in regular supervision and continuing professional development. You can usually verify their membership directly on the professional body's website.
 
When choosing a therapist, don't hesitate to ask about their qualifications, professional body memberships, and approach to supervision. A reputable therapist will be happy to provide this information.
What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
While both therapy and coaching are powerful tools for personal growth, they typically focus on different aspects of your wellbeing.
 
Therapy (Counselling), often referred to as counselling, tends to focus on healing and understanding the past to address present emotional and psychological challenges. It's about exploring underlying issues, processing difficult emotions, and working through experiences that might be holding you back. Therapy can be particularly helpful for dealing with conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or relationship difficulties. The goal is often to alleviate distress, gain insight, and develop healthier coping mechanisms for long-term well-being.
 
Coaching, on the other hand, is generally future-focused and action-oriented. It helps you identify your goals, unlock your potential, and develop strategies to achieve specific outcomes in your personal or professional life. While a coach might acknowledge past experiences, the primary emphasis is on moving forward, setting clear objectives, building skills, and overcoming obstacles to reach your desired future. Coaching is often sought for career development, life transitions, improving performance, or enhancing leadership skills.
 
As an integrative practitioner, I can blend elements of both, depending on your needs. Sometimes, during coaching, we might uncover an underlying issue that would benefit from a more therapeutic approach, or in therapy, you might gain clarity that leads to setting new goals more aligned with coaching.
Is therapy confidential? Are there exceptions?
Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy and is something I take very seriously. Creating a safe and private space where you can speak openly and honestly without fear of judgment is crucial for effective therapeutic work. Everything you share with me in our sessions is treated with the strictest confidence.
 
However, like all ethical counselling practices, there are a few very rare and specific exceptions to this confidentiality, which I am legally and ethically bound to uphold. These include:
 
  • Risk of Serious Harm to Yourself or Others: If I believe there is an immediate and serious risk that you are going to harm yourself or others, I have an ethical duty to act to ensure safety. This would involve breaking confidentiality to alert appropriate emergency services or relevant individuals, but only after discussing it with you first, if at all possible.
  • Child Protection Concerns: If I receive information that leads me to believe a child is at risk of significant harm or abuse, I am legally required to report this to the relevant authorities.
  • Legal Obligation: In extremely rare circumstances, a court of law might issue a subpoena requiring me to release records or give testimony. While I would always try to protect your privacy, I would be legally obligated to comply.
  • Serious Crime: In the event you mention something relating to a serious crime such as money laundering, terrorism, human trafficking etc,. I am required to report this to the appropriate authorities.
  • Professional Supervision: As part of my ethical practice and to ensure I am providing the best possible support, I engage in regular clinical supervision with a qualified supervisor. In these sessions, I discuss my work (without revealing your identity) to gain insights and ensure I am working effectively and ethically. My supervisor is also bound by strict confidentiality.

I will always endeavour to discuss any potential breach of confidentiality with you beforehand, unless doing so would put someone at immediate risk. My priority is always your safety and well-being, while maintaining your trust and privacy wherever possible. We can discuss this in more detail during our initial session if you have any concerns. 

Where can I find more about the ethical frameworks?

Understanding the ethical frameworks that guide a counsellor's practice is a great way to feel confident and secure in your choice of therapist. These frameworks are essentially the backbone of the profession, ensuring that practitioners work with integrity, respect, and competence, always prioritising your well-being.

In the UK, the two primary professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy each have their own comprehensive ethical framework or code of ethics that their members must adhere to. These documents outline the principles, values, and commitments that underpin ethical practice.

You can directly access and read these frameworks on their respective websites:

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP):

  • The BACP's "Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions" is a highly regarded and detailed document. It covers core values like respect, integrity, empathy, and principles such as being trustworthy (fidelity), promoting client well-being (beneficence), avoiding harm (non-maleficence), and ensuring fairness (justice).

You can typically find it by searching for "BACP Ethical Framework" on their official website: (www.bacp.co.uk).


National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS):

  • The NCS also provides a robust "Code of Ethical Practice" for its members. This code similarly outlines fundamental principles such as working towards the good of clients, being trustworthy and responsible, respecting client dignity and rights, and acting with justice and integrity.
You can usually locate this by searching for "NCS Code of Ethical Practice" on their official website:
 
Reviewing these documents can give you a deeper understanding of the professional standards and ethical commitments that qualified and registered counsellors, like myself, are bound by. It's a testament to our dedication to providing a safe, confidential, and effective therapeutic experience.
 
What is Supervision?
In the context of counselling and therapy, supervision is a regular, formal arrangement where a therapist meets with a more experienced and qualified practitioner. It's a crucial and mandatory part of ethical and effective therapeutic practice, designed to ensure the highest quality of care for clients.
 
It's important to understand that supervision is not about the supervisor directly treating my clients, nor is it about me being "supervised" in the managerial sense. Instead, it's a dedicated professional space where I can:

  • Reflect on Client Work: I discuss my client cases (always ensuring client anonymity and confidentiality) to gain fresh perspectives, explore challenges, and understand dynamics that might be at play.

  • Ensure Ethical Practice: My supervisor helps me to uphold professional ethics and boundaries, ensuring I am working safely, responsibly, and in the best interests of my clients.

  • Develop Professionally: It's a key part of my ongoing learning and development. My supervisor can offer guidance on therapeutic techniques, theoretical understanding, and areas for my personal and professional growth as a therapist.
  • Process Emotional Impact: Working as a therapist can be emotionally demanding. Supervision provides a safe outlet for me to process the emotional impact of my work, preventing burnout and ensuring I remain emotionally available for my clients.
  • Maintain Accountability: It provides an external layer of accountability, safeguarding the client and upholding the standards of the profession.

Essentially, supervision acts as a vital quality control mechanism in the therapy world. It ensures that I continue to provide competent, ethical, and effective support to you, my client. All professional counselling bodies in the UK, such as the BACP and NCS, require their members to engage in regular supervision.

What is CBT and how can it help?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely researched and highly effective type of talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions are all interconnected. It operates on the principle that negative or unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours can trap you in difficult emotional cycles.
 
In CBT, we work together to:

  • Identify Unhelpful Patterns: You'll learn to recognise negative or distorted thinking styles (e.g., catastrophising, black-and-white thinking) and unhelpful behaviours (e.g., avoidance, procrastination) that may be contributing to your distress.

  • Challenge and Reframe Thoughts: We'll explore evidence for and against your automatic thoughts, helping you to develop more balanced, realistic, and constructive ways of thinking.

  • Change Behaviours: You'll learn and practice new behaviours that can break negative cycles and lead to more positive outcomes and feelings. This often involves practical exercises and "homework" between sessions, which is crucial for applying what you learn to your daily life.

 
How CBT can help:
CBT is a practical, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on addressing your current problems, though it may also touch upon how past experiences shaped your current patterns. It can be incredibly effective for a wide range of mental health challenges, including:

  • Anxiety Disorders: Such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

  • Depression: Including low mood, lack of motivation, and feelings of hopelessness.

  • Stress Management: Developing better coping strategies for everyday stressors.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Helping to process traumatic events and reduce their impact.

  • Sleep Problems: Addressing insomnia by changing thoughts and behaviours around sleep.

  • Anger Management: Learning to identify triggers and manage emotional responses.

  • Low Self-Esteem: Building self-worth by challenging negative self-talk.

  • Chronic Pain & Long-Term Health Conditions: While it doesn't cure physical symptoms, CBT can help you cope better with the emotional and psychological impact.

 

By equipping you with practical skills and strategies, CBT empowers you to become your own therapist, giving you tools you can continue to use long after your sessions conclude, fostering long-term well-being and resilience.
What is ecotherapy and how might my counsellor use it during sessions?
Ecotherapy, also known as "green therapy" or "nature-based therapy," is a therapeutic approach that intentionally brings the healing power of the natural world into our work together. It's built on the understanding that connecting with nature can profoundly support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
 
It's more than just a walk; it’s about mindfully engaging with natural environments. As your counsellor, I might incorporate ecotherapy into our sessions in several ways, depending on your comfort, our shared goals, and what feels most beneficial for you:

  • Mindful Nature Walks: We might choose to have a session while taking a gentle walk in a local park or green space. This allows for a different kind of conversation, often feeling less intense than sitting face-to-face, and can promote relaxation and new perspectives. We might focus on engaging our senses – noticing the sounds, sights, and smells around us.

  • Outdoor Reflection: We could use a natural setting for specific exercises, like guided meditation, mindfulness practices, or simply a quiet space for reflection while observing elements of nature.

  • Nature-Based Activities: Sometimes, incorporating simple activities like collecting natural objects, doing a short journaling exercise outdoors, or engaging in metaphorical discussions inspired by nature (e.g., roots, growth, changing seasons) can deepen insight.

  • Bringing Nature In: If outdoor sessions aren't feasible or preferred, we can still incorporate elements of ecotherapy indoors. This might involve using natural light, having plants in the room, discussing your relationship with nature, or using imagery and metaphors from the natural world to explore your feelings and experiences.

  • "Nature Prescriptions": I might suggest "homework" that involves spending time in nature between sessions, perhaps a mindful walk, gardening, or simply sitting in a natural setting and observing, then reflecting on your experiences during our next session.



Why might I use Ecotherapy?
Connecting with nature offers many therapeutic benefits, and by integrating it, we can:

  • Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Natural environments can help calm the nervous system.

  • Improve Mood: Being outdoors can boost feelings of positivity and energy.

  • Enhance Mindfulness: Nature encourages us to be present and aware of our surroundings.

  • Offer a Fresh Perspective: A change of environment can often shift perspectives on challenges.

  • Increase Connection: Foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.



Ultimately, the goal is to use nature as a co-therapist, providing an additional layer of support and resources to help you on your healing journey. We'll always discuss and agree on any outdoor elements to ensure you feel comfortable and safe.