FAQ

Yes. I am a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I hold a Master's Degree in Integrative Counselling and am committed to ongoing professional development to ensure I provide the most informed and ethical support possible. 

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they all describe a professional space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings with a qualified practitioner. Generally, "counselling" is often used to describe shorter-term support focusing on specific life challenges, while "psychotherapy" can sometimes imply longer-term work exploring deeper patterns or past experiences. "Therapy" is a broader, inclusive term for both. In practice, the most important factor is the therapeutic relationship between us, and my integrative approach allows me to adapt to your unique needs, regardless of the terminology used. 

It is completely normal to feel unsure. Therapy is a space for anyone who wants to explore their thoughts, feelings, or life challenges with support. You do not need to be in a "crisis" to benefit—many people come to therapy simply to gain more clarity, understand themselves better, or navigate a specific transition in their lives. 

Yes, I offer a 20-minute initial consultation free of charge. This is a low-pressure way for us to connect, for you to ask any questions you might have, and for us to decide together if we are the right match for your needs. 

The initial consultation is a relaxed, informal opportunity for us to meet. It allows you to share what is on your mind and for us to see if we feel like a good "fit" to work together. There is no pressure to make any decisions during this time; it is purely about you getting a sense of how I work and whether you feel comfortable moving forward. 

I offer sessions online, via telephone, or in-person accross Stockport and Leeds. If we work online, I use a secure, encrypted platform to ensure your privacy. If we meet in person, it will be in a quiet and confidential space for our work. We can discuss which format feels most comfortable and accessible for you during our initial conversation. 

Each session lasts for 50 minutes. This provides us with a focused, dedicated space to explore whatever is on your mind, while helping us maintain a clear and consistent rhythm for our work together. 

This is entirely up to you. Some clients find that a few sessions are enough to gain the perspective they need, while others prefer a longer-term approach to explore deeper patterns. We will regularly review how you are feeling and check that our work together remains helpful and relevant to your goals. 

Your privacy is a cornerstone of our work. Everything we discuss is kept confidential, and I follow strict ethical and legal guidelines (including the BACP Ethical Framework and data protection law) to ensure your information is kept secure. I provide full details on this in my Privacy Notice.

Life can be unpredictable. I kindly ask for as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule, with a minimum of 48 hours' notice required. This notice helps me manage my diary and keep our time together prioritised. You can find all the details regarding this in my Information & Policies page. 

Typically, sessions take place on a weekly basis, usually at the same time and on the same day. This consistency often helps to create a "container" for our work, allowing us to build momentum and feel more grounded as we explore things together. 

There is no requirement to complete "homework" in our sessions. My aim is for our work together to be a space that supports you, not an additional task on your to-do list. However, if you would like to bring specific goals, tasks, or reflections into the room to explore together, that is very welcome. We will always work at a pace that feels comfortable and helpful for you, and we can discuss whether any extra focus between sessions is something you would find beneficial. 

The initial consultation is a space for us to explore whether my way of working feels right for you. It is a mutual conversation where we can both get a sense of how we might work together. If we decide that another approach or a different specialist would better support your specific needs, I am very happy to refer you to a colleague or help you navigate how to find someone who is a better fit. 

I understand that traditional therapy spaces can often be inaccessible or overwhelming. My goal is to work collaboratively with you to identify what you need to feel safe, regulated, and truly heard. As a neurodivergent practitioner myself, I appreciate the importance of adapting sessions to suit individual communication styles, sensory needs, and energy levels.

You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to work with me; my practice is inclusive of anyone who identifies as neurodivergent, disabled, or who is currently exploring these parts of themselves. If you have specific access needs, please let me know during our consultation so we can explore together how we can best accommodate them.

Yes. My practice is rooted in collaboration and lived experience, and as a queer, non-binary-identified practitioner, I understand that finding a therapist who "gets it" without needing an explanation is vital. My goal is to create a space where you can explore your life without the weight of navigating stigma or having to provide "101-style" education.

I work from an inherently affirmative and relational stance, meaning I approach your identity—and your life—with curiosity rather than assumption. My practice is GSRD (Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity) informed, and please note that you do not need to identify in these ways to work with me; my practice is open to anyone—including those who are currently questioning their identity or exploring their needs. I am committed to continuous learning around these complexities, so that you can focus entirely on your own growth and therapeutic goals.