What to expect during your counselling session

Our sessions are entirely your space. There is no pressure to say the "right" thing, and we will always move at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you. Together, we will gently explore whatever you choose to bring to the room, focusing entirely on your feelings, your needs, and your unique journey.

Your First Session

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if it is your first time. It is completely normal to feel a bit anxious about meeting a new therapist and opening up about personal thoughts or feelings you may have never shared with anyone else before. 

This initial session is a gentle introduction, designed differently from our ongoing work. It is simply an 

opportunity for both of us to see how we connect, and to ensure you feel genuinely comfortable, safe, and heard. During this time, we will:

• Review our counselling agreement: We will briefly cover practicalities like confidentiality,                        cancellation policies, and professional safety boundaries. 
• Discuss your needs: We will explore what brings you to therapy, the specific challenges or symptoms you are facing, and what you hope to achieve.
• Explore my approach: I will share more about how I work so you can see if it aligns with what you are looking for.

You remain in complete control of the pace throughout, and you only ever have to share what feels right for you.

Ongoing Sessions

In our following sessions, we move beyond the initial consultation and step into deeper, collaborative 

exploration. As a humanistic integrative counsellor, I will help you look at the bigger picture. Together, we will work on:

• Making connections: Understanding how your past experiences might be impacting your current feelings.
• Gaining insight: Gently identifying unhelpful behavioural patterns or triggers that leave you feeling stuck.
• Building tools: Practising practical, realistic coping strategies tailored specifically to your unique life circumstances.

Your Counselling Options

I provide both short-term therapy and open-ended, long-term support. We can talk through what feels best for you during our first meeting and review it naturally as our work progresses.

• In-Person Sessions: Face-to-face counselling is available in a private, welcoming space at Athena House.
• Online Sessions: Secure online therapy is conducted via Microsoft Teams, allowing you to log in from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Areas of Focus I Can Help You Navigate

To help you see if we are a good match, here are the primary areas and life experiences I support clients through: