The first session is a space to explore what brings you to counselling and what you would like support with. It’s also a chance to get a feel for how we might work together and to decide whether you feel comfortable moving forward.

In our first 50-minute session, we will create a safe, supportive space for you to:

• Clarify what brings you to therapy and what you are hoping to achieve.

• Explore my approach and how I work, including the tools and methods I use.

• Gain an overview of what the therapy process will look like.

• Ask any questions you might have about therapy or how I work.

• Assess whether you feel comfortable with my style and if it’s the right fit for you.

I don’t offer free introductory sessions, and here’s why:

These are usually 15 or 20 minutes long, and in my experience, that’s simply not enough time to explore what’s going on for you or to get a real sense of how I work.

The conversation often ends just as it’s starting.

Instead, I offer a full session as the starting point. This allows us time to slow down, talk through what’s bringing you to therapy, and begin to get a feel for whether this is the right support for you. It’s a space for you to ask questions and see how it feels, without pressure or obligation to continue.

Many people find that starting this way helps them feel more grounded and clear about their next step.

Yes. Everything you share is held in confidence and treated with care and respect. There are a few legal and ethical exceptions to this. If, during our work together, I believe you may be at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else, or if there is a risk of a serious crime being committed, I may need to share this information with others, such as my supervisor, your GP, or the Police. Wherever possible, I would always aim to speak with you about this first.

Anything that’s on your mind. This might include anxiety, stress, low mood, trauma, relationships, life transitions, decision-making, low self-worth, or anything else that feels heavy or confusing. There is no ‘right’ thing to bring — we explore what feels most important to you.

Each person’s experience of counselling is different, and there is no set formula we need to follow. We will work together in a way that feels right for you, at a pace that suits you. You will never be pushed to talk about something before you feel ready.

There’s no pressure to come in with a clear agenda, many people begin by saying, “I am not sure what I want to talk about today,” and yet the conversation naturally unfolds. You decide what feels important to bring into the space, and I am here to support you in exploring it with care and curiosity.

This varies from person to person. Some clients come for short-term work (around 6 to 12 sessions), while others benefit from longer-term support. We can regularly check in and review what’s working and what you need from the process.

The first session is always held online via a secure, private therapy platform, allowing you to attend safely and confidentially from wherever you are based.

After the first session, you can choose the format that works best for you: continue online from anywhere in the UK or internationally, or attend in person at a clinic in Brighton.

I have been working with clients internationally for several years and am fully insured to work with clients across the UK, the US, Canada, and beyond.

That’s completely okay, and it’s something we can talk about openly.

Sometimes it takes a few sessions to understand whether the therapeutic relationship feels right. If my approach doesn’t suit your needs or the connection isn’t quite there, we can have a conversation about it.

This isn’t a failure, it’s a natural part of the process. I will do my best to help you think about what kind of support might suit you better and, where possible, suggest other therapists or resources that may be a better match for you.