About therapy
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The terms are often used interchangeably. Counselling can refer to shorter-term work focused on a specific issue, while psychotherapy often describes longer-term, in-depth work. I’m trained in both and simply use the term therapy.
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You don't need to have a diagnosis or be experiencing a particular type of difficulty to come to therapy. People seek therapy for many different reasons, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, bereavement, low self-esteem, life changes, feeling stuck, or simply wanting to understand themselves better. If you're unsure whether therapy might be helpful, you're welcome to get in touch and we can discuss this.
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Sessions are a chance to slow down, talk openly and make sense of what’s happening for you, in a warm, confidential and non-judgmental space. There is no set agenda or expectation that you will arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. We might explore something that has happened recently, look at patterns in your relationships or the way you respond to situations, or spend time understanding feelings that may be difficult to put into words. I work with the whole person — your thoughts, feelings, body and deeper sense of self – rather than focusing only on the immediate problem.
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My approach is integrative, which means I draw on different ways of working depending on what seems most helpful for you. Sometimes the work may be primarily about talking and being heard; at other times I might suggest a simple exercise or a different way of exploring something. Nothing is imposed, and we work at a pace that feels right for you.
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Finding the right therapist is important. The initial session gives us both an opportunity to consider whether working together feels appropriate. You are not obliged to continue after the initial session, and if I feel that another therapist or service would be better suited to your needs, I'll discuss this with you.
Starting therapy
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You can contact me via the contact form. I'll usually ask for a brief description of what has brought you to therapy and some practical information before arranging an initial assessment session. You don't need to provide a detailed account of your circumstances by email.
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The initial assessment session gives us an opportunity to talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you would like help with and what you hope to get from therapy. It also gives us an opportunity to consider whether I am the right therapist for you and whether the way I work feels suitable. You don't need to prepare anything in advance, although it can be helpful to think about what has prompted you to seek therapy now.
Sessions and practical arrangements
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Sessions last 50 minutes and normally take place weekly.
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You can have sessions either:
· in person at my consulting room in Bruton, Somerset; or
· online via Zoom.
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Online sessions take place using Zoom. I take reasonable steps to protect the privacy and security of online sessions. Sessions are not recorded or transcribed by me, and Zoom's AI Companion and automated recording/transcription functions are disabled. If you have concerns about confidentiality or whether online therapy is right for you, please discuss them with me.
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Please make sure you are somewhere private where you are unlikely to be overheard or interrupted.
If you are temporarily outside the UK, please let me know, as this may affect whether I am able to provide the session.
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Sessions are £90 for 50 minutes, unless we have agreed a different fee. Payment is due on the day of the session and is normally made by BACS.
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Your regular appointment is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or change an appointment, I ask for at least 48 hours' notice. Appointments cancelled with less notice will normally be charged at the full session fee. Where possible, I will try to offer an alternative appointment in the same week, although I cannot guarantee that one will be available.
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Yes. I will let you know in advance about planned breaks. These are usually around two weeks at Christmas, two weeks around Easter and four weeks in August.
Contact and communication
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You are welcome to contact me by telephone, text or email for practical matters such as arranging appointments. I don't provide ongoing therapeutic support by telephone, text or email. I don't monitor messages continuously and cannot guarantee an immediate response. My usual working hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.30pm, and I will normally respond during these hours.
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For your privacy, please avoid sending detailed or highly sensitive personal information by email or text.
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I don't normally communicate with clients through personal social media or accept friend or follow requests from current or former clients. Clear professional boundaries help protect the therapeutic relationship and your privacy.
Privacy, confidentiality and records
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Yes. Confidentiality is an important part of therapy, and what you tell me will normally remain private.
There are, however, circumstances in which I may need to share information without your consent. These may include:
serious concerns about your safety or someone else's safety;
safeguarding concerns;
where I am legally required or permitted to disclose information; or
circumstances in which disclosure is necessary to meet my professional responsibilities.
Where it is appropriate and safe to do so, I will normally discuss this with you beforehand and will aim to share only information that is necessary.
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As part of my professional practice, I discuss aspects of my clinical work with a professional supervisor. I take care to protect your identity and normally anonymise or minimise information so that you cannot reasonably be identified. In some circumstances, information may also need to be shared with another healthcare professional, my insurer, a professional adviser, or a legal or regulatory authority. Any disclosure will be limited to what is reasonably necessary.
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Yes. I keep brief clinical records as part of my professional practice. These records are treated as confidential and stored securely.
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Your personal information is handled in accordance with applicable UK data-protection law. My separate Privacy Notice explains in more detail what information I collect, why I use it, how it is stored, who it may be shared with, how long it is kept and your rights in relation to your personal information.
Breaks and ending
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Yes. If you would like to take a break from therapy, we can talk about what would be most helpful and how best to manage the break.
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Yes. You are free to end therapy at any time. There is no fixed notice period. However, I generally recommend giving at least a week's notice if our work has been short-term, and up to four weeks if we have worked together for six months or more. This gives us an opportunity to reflect on the work and bring it to a thoughtful close.
Emergencies
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Therapy is not an emergency or crisis service, and I am not available continuously between sessions.
Please don't rely on email or text if you are experiencing an emergency. If you are in immediate danger, or believe you may harm yourself or someone else, please seek urgent help rather than waiting for me to respond or for your next appointment. If you are already working with me, we can also discuss together what might be helpful if you become particularly distressed between sessions.