FAQs

You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people come because they're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or simply want a space to understand themselves better. If you're unsure, I offer a complimentary telephone consultation where we can discuss your needs and whether I'm the right therapist for you.

Our first session is an opportunity to get to know one another. We'll explore what has brought you to therapy, discuss your goals, and talk about any relevant background. There is no pressure to share everything at once- we work at your pace.

This varies from person to person. Many clients begin with weekly sessions, while others prefer fortnightly appointments. We'll discuss what feels most appropriate for your circumstances.

There is no set number of sessions. Some people benefit from short-term work focused on a specific issue, while others choose longer-term therapy to explore deeper patterns and experiences.

Yes. Confidentiality is an important part of therapy. There are a small number of legal and ethical exceptions, such as if there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else, which I will explain during our first session.

I offer integrative counselling, drawing from person-centred, CBT, psychodynamic and creative approaches. Rather than using a one size fits all model, I tailor therapy to you and your individual needs.

Counselling may help with:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress and burnout

• Trauma

• Low self-esteem

• Grief and loss

• Relationship difficulties

• Life transitions

• Emotional overwhelm

• Work-related stress

• Personal growth and self-understanding

Hypnotherapy combines guided relaxation with focused attention to help access the subconscious mind. It can support positive change by helping you develop healthier patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour.

No. This is one of the biggest myths about hypnotherapy. You remain aware of your surroundings and cannot be made to do anything against your wishes. Most people describe hypnosis as feeling deeply relaxed but still in control.

Hypnotherapy may help with:

• Anxiety

• Smoking cessation

• Weight management

• Sleep difficulties

• Phobias

• Confidence

• Stress

• Childbirth preparation

• Habit change

• Gut-directed hypnotherapy- Such as IBS/DGBI (Disorder of gut-brain interaction)

Most people can experience hypnosis if they are willing to engage in the process. Like any therapeutic approach, results vary between individuals.

Unfortunately, hypnotherapy is not considered appropriate for people who experience psychosis. 

The Rewind Technique is a gentle, non-invasive approach designed to reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories. It does not require you to repeatedly talk through the traumatic event in detail.

No. One of the benefits of the Rewind Technique is that you do not need to describe the traumatic event in detail for the therapy to be effective.

The Rewind Technique may be suitable for:

• PTSD

• Single-incident trauma

• Accidents

• Assault

• Medical trauma

• Childhood trauma

• Birth trauma

• Distressing memories

An initial consultation allows us to determine whether it is the right approach for you.

Yes. I offer both online and face-to-face appointments.

I work from my private therapy practice in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, and also offer online sessions across the UK.

You can book a complimentary telephone consultation through my website or get in touch using the contact form. We'll discuss what you're looking for and arrange your first appointment if you decide to go ahead.

Yes, I offer a limited number of evening appointments, subject to availability.

That's completely okay. Many people come to therapy unsure of where to begin or worried they'll "say the wrong thing." You don't need to prepare anything beforehand. We'll work together at your pace, and I'll help guide the conversation in a way that feels comfortable for you.

You are always welcome to express your emotions in whatever way feels natural. Tears are a normal response when talking about difficult experiences, and there is no expectation for you to hold them back. Equally, some people never cry in therapy- and that's okay too. There is no right or wrong way to experience the process.

Yes. Therapy is always your choice. Some people attend for a few sessions, while others choose longer-term support. We'll regularly review how things are going together, and you are free to end therapy whenever you feel ready.

Progress looks different for everyone. Sometimes it's feeling calmer, sleeping better or worrying less. Other times it's noticing healthier boundaries, responding differently to situations, or feeling more like yourself again. Therapy isn't always a straight line, but together we'll regularly review your progress and goals.

Rather than telling you what decisions to make, my role is to help you explore your thoughts, emotions and experiences so you can make choices that feel right for you. I may offer psychological insight, practical tools or different ways of looking at things, but therapy is always collaborative and centred around your needs.

Finding the right therapist is important. If, after our initial consultation or first session, we decide that another approach or practitioner would better meet your needs, I'll always be honest about that and, where possible, help point you in the right direction.

Yes. For some clients, combining counselling with hypnotherapy can be a helpful way of exploring underlying thoughts and emotions while also working towards specific goals or behavioural change. If this feels appropriate, we'll discuss how the approaches can work together as part of your individual treatment plan.

No. I don't believe therapy should feel like a contract. You're free to book sessions as needed, and together we'll review what feels most beneficial as we go. Some people prefer short-term support, while others value having longer-term therapeutic space.

A good therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy. While I always strive to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental environment, I understand that every therapist isn't the right fit for every person. If it doesn't feel right, that's okay. Finding someone you feel comfortable with is what matters most.

Yes. Whether you're paying for your own sessions or someone else is funding them, what we discuss remains confidential within the usual legal and ethical limits. Your privacy is always respected.

Yes. I welcome clients with a range of neurodivergent experiences, including ADHD and autism. Therapy is adapted to suit your individual needs, communication style and preferences, creating a space where you don't feel you need to mask or fit into a particular way of working.

That happens more often than you might think. Therapy doesn't always have to involve discussing major life events. Sometimes we use the session to reflect, notice patterns, develop coping strategies or simply check in with how you're feeling. We can always work with whatever feels most relevant that day.

The Altogether Smoke Free Method isn't a magic trick, and it isn't about me "making" you stop smoking.

It's a structured therapeutic approach that combines hypnotherapy with psychological strategies to help you change your relationship with smoking. Together, we'll address the habits, beliefs and triggers that keep you reaching for a cigarette, while strengthening your motivation to become smoke free.

You remain in control throughout the process. My role is to guide and support you, but your commitment to stopping is what makes the biggest difference.

Many clients tell me they're surprised by how different they feel about smoking afterwards. While no therapist can ethically guarantee success, being ready to quit gives you the best possible chance of achieving lasting change.

I understand that investing in therapy isn't always easy. To help make support more accessible, I offer a small number of concessionary appointments for people who are experiencing financial hardship.

If this is something you'd like to discuss, please feel free to mention it when you get in touch. There's no judgement, and any conversation about fees will always be handled sensitively and confidentially.

Concessionary appointments are limited and subject to availability.