Q. Do you offer online counselling?
A. Yes! I offer video and telephone sessions, so wherever you are, whether that’s Watford or Brazil, we can work together.

Q. Do you offer in-person counselling in York?
A. Yes. I have a counselling room in the Acomb area of York, and in-person sessions are available here throughout the week.

Q. How do I choose a counsellor?
A. It helps to check they’re registered with a professional body like the BACP and have experience with what you’re going through. But the biggest thing is whether you feel comfortable with them, and that’s hard to tell from a website. That’s why I offer a free chat before you commit to anything.

Q. Are you BACP registered?
A. Yes, I’m a registered member of the BACP, and I work to their Ethical Framework.

Q. What’s the difference between a counsellor and a therapist?
A. The words are often used to mean the same thing. What matters more is the individual’s training, approach and experience. I’m happy to tell you about mine.

Q. What is integrative counselling?
A. It means I don’t squeeze everyone into one method. My foundation is person-centred theory, and I draw on other approaches (psychodynamic, somatic, Internal Family Systems and Transactional Analysis) when they’re useful for you.

Q. What is person-centred counselling?
A. Person-centred counselling means we follow what you need in any given session, rather than sticking to a set format, like some therapies do. It’s all about you, your needs and your preferences. If you’re not sure what those are, don’t worry, we’ll figure it out together.

Q. How much does counselling cost?
A. Sessions last 60 minutes and cost £45.

Q. How many sessions will I need?
A. It really varies. Some people come for a few months to work through something specific, and others like to stay longer. We’ll check in regularly about how it’s going, and you can stop whenever you like.

Q. Do you offer a free initial conversation?
A. Yes. I know committing to counselling can feel like a big step, especially when you’ve never met me. The free telephone chat is a chance to ask questions and get a feel for working with me, with no pressure to go any further.

Q. What happens in the first session?
A. We’ll talk about what’s brought you here and what you’d like from counselling, and I’ll explain how I work, including confidentiality and the practical side. You don’t need to prepare anything, and there’s no pressure to ‘get it right’. We’ll just start getting to know each other. 

Q. How do online sessions work?
A. I’ll send you a link to a private video call at your session time. You’ll need a camera, a microphone, a decent internet connection and somewhere private where you won’t be interrupted. If you’d rather not use video, phone sessions are an option too.

Q. What’s your cancellation policy?
A. If you need to cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, the full £45 fee is payable. 

Q. Is counselling confidential?
A. Yes. What you tell me stays between us. The exceptions are rare: if I believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, or if I’m legally required to share something. I also talk about my work with a supervisor, as all counsellors do, without ever identifying you. I’ll go through all of this with you before we start. 

Q. Can counselling help with childhood trauma?
A. Yes, it’s an area I have particular experience in. We go at a pace that feels manageable for you, and you don’t have to share more than you’re ready to.

Q. Can counselling help if I have a chronic illness?
A. Yes, and it’s another area I know well. Long-term illness can affect far more than your body. It can bring anxiety, low mood, grief for the life you had planned, and strain on relationships. Counselling gives you space to work through all of that alongside your medical care.

Q. Can counselling help with anxiety, depression, bereavement or relationship difficulties?
A. Yes, I work with all of these regularly, along with trauma, addictions, stress and anger.

Q. Do you offer counselling for Christians?
A. Yes. If you’re looking for someone who understands faith and can support you with whatever’s going on in your life, I’d be glad to help.

Q. Can I talk to you about doubts or struggles with my faith?
A. Yes. This can be a safe space to talk through things that you used to feel sure of, but don’t seem so certain anymore. I know this can leave you feeling untethered, and it can be isolating if you don’t feel able to share it in your faith community. Counselling gives you a space to sort through the loose threads, without pressure to arrive at a particular answer.

Q. Can I come if I don’t know what’s wrong?
A. Absolutely. Many people don’t. Working it out together is part of the process.

Q. How will I know if it’s working?
A. You might understand yourself better, cope differently with things that used to overwhelm you, or feel more able to make decisions. We’ll review how things are going together, and if it isn’t helping, I want you to tell me.

Q. What if we don’t click?
A. Then it’s okay to try someone else. The relationship between you and your counsellor makes a big difference, so there’s no obligation to carry on if it doesn’t feel right.

Q. Do I need a GP referral?
A. No, you can contact me directly using the form on this site.

Q. Do you work with under-18s?
A. No – I work with adults aged 18 and over.