Counselling
The best candidate for counselling is someone who is curious to learn more about themselves. You don't already have to be able to understand yourself, just to be open.
I work with people of all ages, from 20s to 80s.
The counselling process
The counselling journey is different for everyone but in terms of how it works week-to-week, I have a set process.
We begin with a free initial meeting over the phone. That allows us to meet and gives you an opportunity to decide whether you want to work with me.
For most people, we will start counselling the week after our initial phone meet.
What happens during counselling?
After our initial meeting, we'll set a regular time that works for both of us. You can choose to have counselling over the phone, on Zoom or in person at my consultation room in Adel. Sessions last around 50 minutes.
In the first session we'll both agree our approach to counselling and our expectations - our commitment to one another.
The clients who make the best progress are the ones who are open to making changes. Partly that is building our counselling relationship each week, and partly it's doing the work in between sessions, to try out the things we've discussed.
How long does it go on for?
Everyone is different so I don't impose a specific timeframe for counselling. But it's important to review your progress regularly.
Often we'll have five sessions together and review our progress on the sixth week. This gives us time to celebrate how far you've come and plan our next steps.
How does it end?
A lot of people struggle with endings! In counselling, our hope is to achieve what we set out to do and we check on this in the review sessions.
Counselling ends with a final session to reflect on the progress we have made and recognise what you have achieved.
This doesn't mean it's finished! We can always book more sessions in together if we choose.
Options to suit you
I offer counselling in three formats, all at the same cost per session:
- Face to face at my therapy room in Adel, North Leeds
- Video call in the comfort of your own home without needing to travel
- Walk and talk therapy in tranquil Golden Acre Park
What is walk and talk therapy?
Counselling is most helpful when you feel able to discuss your thoughts and feelings openly. Some people notice this comes more easily while doing another activity.
Walk and talk therapy offers a gentle, side-by-side way to explore your thoughts while moving through a calm outdoor environment.
Rather than sitting face to face in a room, we walk together at a comfortable pace, allowing conversation to unfold more naturally and with less intensity.
Many people find that being outdoors helps them feel more at ease, making it easier to talk about difficult or sensitive things. The rhythm of walking can support reflection, reduce feelings of pressure, and create space for thoughts and emotions to emerge in their own time. We can walk in silence when needed, pause to reflect, chat until the real topics emerge naturally or simply notice what’s around us.
It’s the same therapy, in a setting that can feel more relaxed, grounding, and supportive.
I have specialist Outdoor Therapists Programme training through training provider The Therapy Adventure in this format of counselling.
Walk and Talk Therapy Location
I meet clients in the beautiful setting of Golden Acre Park between Adel and Bramhope in LS16. The paths are well made up and flat, and there are options to explore the park away from the main footpath loop such as the areas around Adel Dam Nature Reserve and Paul's Pond/Breary Marsh.
Counselling in North Leeds
I currently offer counselling in a relaxing location in Adel.
Five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday, I see clients in my room at The Willows in Adel, close to Cookridge, Horsforth, Bramhope, Alwoodley, West Park, Headingley and Moortown.
