Psychotherapeutic counselling

I offer you a trusted, confidential relationship where:

• the focus is on you, your situation and how you feel about it
• you can fully articulate your thoughts and emotions, without being judged
• other perspectives are offered that may challenge your assumptions or limiting beliefs

This enables you to:

• clarify your understanding of your situation
• help you to see the 'wood for the trees'
• find options to solve your problem/find a way ahead (without being 'advised' about what to do or directed towards a particular approach/solution)
• move from surviving to thriving

Psychotherapeutic counselling ("therapy") is a way of getting to know yourself at a deeper level and can support you in living life more fully. Many people come to therapy not for a specific reason or difficulty, but to get to know themselves better and become more self-aware.

Therapy also offers a space where you can get support and work through current or past difficulties and traumas. These might include a bereavement, relationship breakdown, childhood abuse or neglect, other traumatic events, coping with a chronic illness, recovering from injury or work stress. Psychotherapeutic counselling can enable you to find peace with what has happened to you and face the future with confidence.

I am an integrative/pleuralistic therapist, trained in psychodynamic therapy. This means that together we can explore your life and behaviour patterns, and how these may have stemmed from past experiences - particularly from your developmental/childhood relationships. Here, you will be able to tell your story, feel heard and understood. This can be especially helpful when exploring relational dynamics - i.e., how you might react and respond to others around you at work or at home. Understanding your relational patterns from within the safety of a healthy, boundaried, confidential relationship can help you to discover new ways to relate in the outside world. I encourage you to explore your thoughts and feelings about your problems, challenges and future goals at your own pace.

As a person-centred, integrative/pluralistic practitioner, I incorporate different approaches to suit your needs and preferences, and it is not always necessary to delve deeply into the past. I am trauma-trained and use a gentle, somatic-based, relational modality for working with trauma.

How does it work?

• Sessions are remote via video conferencing (Zoom) or phone.
• I offer both long-term (open-ended) and short-term (time-limited) support, depending on your need and circumstances.
• Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long and usually at the same time each week. I try to accommodate rota patterns and shift changes, but weekly sessions at a regular time is recommended.
• Fees: I offer a sliding scale £60-75 (self-assessed, based on your financial situation)
• Low-cost spaces: £45 (for those on low income, limited availability  - please ask about current availability)
  

Coaching

Coaching is action-oriented, helping you to set and achieve goals for the future. These might be career direction decisions, leadership challenges or personal difficulties. Coaching works with thoughts and behaviours (rather than with feelings and emotions).

Leadership coaching is particularly supportive for practice owners, clinical directors, head nurses, and emerging leaders who want to develop authentic, relational leadership skills while effectively managing veterinary-specific challenges. Leadership coaching with me focuses on developing your emotional intelligence. This can help you better navigate team dynamics, difficult conversations, change management, and build confidence in your leadership role - all while understanding the unique pressures of veterinary leadership.

How does it work?

• Sessions are remote via video conferencing (Zoom) or phone.
• Coaching is usually carried out within a 'time-limited', short-term contract (e.g., 8 sessions)
• Sessions are usually fortnightly or monthly, or on an 'ad hoc' basis
• Standard 50 min coaching session:  £75
• Extended coaching sessions (90 minutes):  £120

Confidential Support

I offer a supportive, non-judgmental environment where the focus is purely on you and your situation. I encourage you to explore your thoughts and feelings about your problems, challenges and future goals at your own pace.

I take confidentiality very seriously and believe that therapeutic work cannot take place unless this is upheld at every level. Confidentiality is essential to building trusting relationships, and I respect your right to privacy. This means that I will not share information from your sessions or any other information I hold about you with any other person, organisation or agency, other than with my professional supervisor or in truly exceptional circumstances. 

All enquiries are kept confidential and if there is a conflict of interest issue (for example, we know each other in another setting) I can support you in finding a suitable alternative therapist.

Alternative Support Options

Looking for other therapist options?  Explore the directory of qualified practitioners who understand veterinary culture

In crisis?

If you need immediate support:

• NHS mental health services: 111 or 999, visit A&E or call your GP
• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)

Vetlife: 0303 040 2551 (24/7) - www.vetlife.org.uk