I see clients in my own house close to Romsey's town centre, less than 5 mins walk from the train station and Waitrose.  Many clients travel several miles to see me because they like Romsey!  It is a lovely market town. 

I have a Diploma in Humanistic/Gestalt Counselling and I'm a member of the BACP putting together my application for accreditation this year (2012).

Daytime sessions - 90 minutes (evening sessions 1 hour)

Most counsellors offer sessions lasting 50 minutes or an hour.  Private sessions with me in the daytime last 90 minutes, allowing time to explore your topic without feeling rushed.  Due to high demand for evening sessions, they are one hour.  The price is the same for daytime and evening appointments - £40.

OFFER 25% off: In January and February 2012 all sessions will cost £30.

My counselling experience

From January 2009 to March 2011 I worked as a volunteer counsellor in GPs' surgeries in Southampton.  I started my private practice in June 2010. My client work has been very varied, including the following issues:

First of all, you want to be heard, really heard and understood.  So that's what I do initially, listen and get to know you.  It's my aim to help you to feel comfortable with me, however difficult it may be for you to explain what you've been experiencing.  For some clients, this may be all you want at this stage, just someone to offload to. 

For others, this is the time you have chosen (perhaps a significant birthday is approaching) to understand yourself better and make some changes.  When this is the case, the work begins as soon as we feel comfortable with one another. I use my skills and imagination to give you feedback on what you are telling me, and this in turn gives you new insight.  It's very much a two-way process, relatively informal.

My observations will raise your awareness of physical and emotional reactions in the present moment, and what they might be saying.  I may also use diagrams or invite you to use creative materials.  You become your own personal detective, picking up clues and contradictions (we all have those!), building a picture that will help you to understand and have more control over your life and emotions.  Gradually - or in some cases, suddenly - you will feel new energy, awakening within you a motivation to resolve your problem as only you can.

Some clients come to me for just a few sessions (say 4-6) to get them back on track, while others are working over a period of several months on issues that have been with them a long time.  We will discuss what is suitable for you in the first session.

Confidential

At the start we agree terms of confidentiality according to counselling guidelines.  We will both sign a counselling agreement.

My rates and place of business

Appointments are on weekdays, normally Wednesdays and Thursdays. Daytime sessions are between 10.00 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Evening sessions are usually 6.30-7.30 p.m. or 8.00-9.00 p.m.

We meet at my house, which is comfortable and private.  The first session includes an assessment - some questions and form-filling.  Payment of £40 is due on the day.  Normally I would see you weekly, or possibly fortnightly.  If you are on a low income, I can reduce the price by up to 50%.

As a member of BACP, I am bound by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure.

To make an appointment or ask for more information, please contact me.

Page last updated 6th February 2012