Online Counselling and Psychotherapy from Didsbury, Manchester
Fall into alignment - authentic change - on your terms
Choosing to embark on a therapeutic journey with me I hope that my passion, open mindedness, and dedication to you comes through in my work. I find that my sensitive but committed style of therapy is helpful for clients who are looking to heal at a deep level and create meaningful, lasting change.
About Me
I am qualified with a Post Graduate Diploma in counselling and psychotherapy and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This means that I agree to work with the utmost integrity and practice ethically at all times.
I have experience counseling in addiction rehabilitation services as well as general practice. Across my various roles I have come to learn that our issues are not in isolation, but interwoven with our lives and the very fabric of our social world. With this in mind, I try to always see the person as a whole, including their history and social contexts.
I relish working with the unknown, the hard to fathom and the confusion which underly many of our hardships. With an existential slant to my work, I welcome considering often daunting aspects of our existence such as; ‘What is the meaning in my life?’, 'How do I find purpose?, ‘How do I connect with my true self, and what does it mean to live authentically?
Whilst I do not choose to limit myself to any one particular client group I have found that my style of practice has been particularly successful working with the following issues: Anxiety, Low Mood, Self confidence and Self esteem issues, Relationship issues, Navigating difficult life choices and Addiction to name a few. That being said, my way of working relationally means I am open to working with most presenting issues and I personally find it most fulfilling to welcome an array of needs and types of people regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or sexuality etc.
Reconnecting with Your True Self
I feel inspired by my love of the outdoors in my work. Nature expresses itself, freely, openly and without judgement. But for many of us, the modern world and our experiences in it can make it difficult to be our true self. There is often a pressure to think, feel or act a certain way and we often feel the need to fit in or suppress our own wants and needs.
Consequently, we can often feel detached and disconnected from our most authentic self. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, a need to escape, addiction and so on. Part of my work is to support you not only in working through the matters which you choose to bring to therapy but also to form a broader, more far reaching aim to fall into a greater sense of alignment with who we are and what we want in our life.
My Approach
I have found that my method of working allows clients to feel safe to explore the very heart of their issues.
I work fluidly, adapting to your moment by moment needs and bringing together approaches from the Humanistic school (Person-centred, Emotion Focused Therapy, Gestalt to name a few. For those interested in learning more about this please don’t hesitate to ask).
People come to counseling for many reasons, each and every one as valid as the next. Typically though, this is due to experiencing some kind of hurt and pain and with hopes of seeking change.
Working together I will help you sensitively explore the layers of this hurt, making our way through the issues which are most meaningful to you, and journeying to the root of the matter.
It is likely you will have stored up a sense of pressure in speaking about the matters which you would like to discuss. With this in mind, it is common for people to feel a cathartic sense of relief from the very first session. However, as the sessions unfold and the therapeutic process takes place, you might find that you begin to explore things which were previously outside of your awareness prior to entering therapy, or perhaps you were too fearful to discuss.
With a commitment to understanding your inner world with empathy and acceptance, my goal is to create a relationship which is without judgement, allowing for a deep sense of trust to be built. This means that nothing is off limits when it comes to discussion in our sessions and I welcome working with a broad range of presenting issues.
I disclose my experience of being in the session with you regularly so that I may be a real, genuine person in our relationship. I will communicate any use of techniques openly and transparently so that we are aligned and on the same page. With this trust we may begin to unravel the layers of your hurt. This can be a deeply revealing process and can enrich your sense of understanding not only of yourself but also your way of relating to others.
My approach to therapy means I will not be directing you and offering you strategies or techniques but rather supporting you to utilise your own inner resources and capacity to create lasting and meaningful change which is deeply personal to you. This can be a greatly uplifting experience as you realise your potential as your own agent of change.
Experiencing this within my sessions indicates we have tuned into something powerful and real, allowing you to uncover change which stems from your own authenticity as opposed to fitting into someone else's mold of who and how you ‘should be’.
This can feel spiritually fulfilling as you grow towards your true potential and can lead to some real practical changes in the way you function in the world. As you develop a greater understanding of yourself, your past, your present and your hopes for the future you may gain greater clarity about what you want out of life.
I would describe my style of practice as open minded, warm and fundamentally optimistic. You are capable of healing at a deep level and you have the potential not only to alleviate suffering but to go beyond this and flourish into the best version of yourself.
Session Information
I currently offer sessions online via video call. Whilst this may at first feel somewhat different to a face to face contact, research has shown that online counselling is equally effective as if you were to have the session face to face.
For many, accessing therapy particularly for the first time may feel a little intimidating and can seem like a big commitment. This need not be the case. With online sessions you are able to experience the support you desire from the comfort of your own environment. This can allow many people to feel more at ease. Likewise, for those who have accessed counselling in the past, online sessions offer the added benefit of convenience by cutting out commute times, allowing therapy to work around your life more seamlessly.
How it Works
When you book an online session you will be provided with a link to the session. All you have to do is click on the link and join the meeting room. I currently use Zoom to deliver sessions which is recommended by the NHS and has added security over other video conferencing services. I use a HD camera and Mic to ensure good lighting so you are able to communicate with me clearly. Sessions are priced at £45 per 50 minute session and I will typically give you a reminder in the closing minutes of the session so that you are able to express any closing sentiments you wish to discuss whilst allowing you the opportunity to end the session in a manner which feels safe and comfortable so that you are able to prepare for returning to going about your day once the session has concluded.
With my online sessions you are able to skip long waiting lists and gain help quickly. I offer a free 20 minute consultation video call to see if we are a good match. During this time we will discuss some of your presenting issues and I will provide you with an indication of how we might go about working on these issues together. Sessions typically take place on a weekly basis though I always endeavor to be flexible in terms of finding a time and frequency to suit your schedule. I accept payment via bank transfer.
Please note that I require 48 hour’s notice if you would like to cancel or rearrange an appointment otherwise you will still be required to pay for the session.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07565 722988 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.