What is therapy?

Therapy offers a space to explore difficult feelings and experiences, with the aim of deepening self-understanding and awareness. This can pave the way for change, growth, and healing. Rather than giving advice, therapists support this process by listening with empathy, honesty, and without judgement, creating a safe, supportive environment in which you can begin to make sense of your story.

What is a person-centred psychotherapist?

Person-centred therapists hold a hopeful belief: that each person carries within them the resources, desire, and ability to grow and heal. Sometimes, that potential feels blocked or buried by past experiences -  but it’s still there. At the heart of this approach is the understanding that people struggle not because something is inherently wrong with them, but because of what they’ve been through. Therapy honours choice, autonomy, and the uniqueness of each person’s journey. The relationship between therapist and client is one of mutual respect and equality, grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your own experience. Inclusiveness, tolerance, and a non-judgemental attitude matter deeply. Rather than giving advice or telling you what to do, humanistic therapists offer a safe, supportive space to explore painful feelings and experiences, helping you make sense of them in your own way and reconnect with your sense of agency.

Can psychotherapists prescribe psychiatric medication?

Psychotherapists don’t diagnose or prescribe medication - that’s something your GP or a psychiatrist can do. What a psychotherapist can offer is a space to explore your mental health and consider the choices available to you, helping you understand what feels right for you.

How do I chose the right therapist?

Looking for a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with lots of profiles to choose from. While practical things like location and professional qualifications (such as membership with UKCP or BACP) are important, what matters most is whether it feels like a good fit.

Many therapists, including me, offer an initial introductory call to help you get a sense of who they are and what it might be like to talk with them. This can be a helpful step if you're choosing between a few people. Sometimes, though, you won’t know whether it’s right until you’re sitting together. Over the first few sessions, try to pay attention to how it feels: does something feel safe, understood, comfortable? If it doesn’t, you’re under no obligation to continue. It’s completely okay to stop at any time.

What does therapy feel like?

Therapy is a process that can feel very different from one moment to the next. Sometimes, it brings deep relief or insight, those moments when something clicks into place, and you understand yourself in a new way. It can be powerful to feel truly heard, seen, and accepted, especially if that hasn’t often been your experience. And it can feel hopeful when you begin to notice changes in your day-to-day life as a result of something you’ve explored in therapy.

But therapy can also feel hard. Revisiting painful experiences can stir up feelings of fear, sadness, or anger. Sharing something private with a new therapist can feel vulnerable and uncertain, sometimes even shameful. I understand how that feels; I’ve sat in the client’s chair myself. My role as a psychotherapist is to be alongside you when it’s painful, to offer compassion, honesty, and steadiness as you begin to face and make sense of difficult feelings in a space you can trust.

Is what I tell you confidential?

Confidentiality is a vital part of what makes therapy feel safe and trustworthy. You may share sensitive or deeply personal experiences, and it’s important that you feel confident this stays between us.

There are, however, a few exceptions - times when I may need to share information, such as if I’m concerned about serious harm to you or someone else, or if I’m required to do so by law. I’ll explain these exceptions in more detail during our first session, so you know exactly what to expect.

How long does therapy last for and how do I know if it's working?

There’s no set timeframe for how long therapy should last. I usually suggest beginning with six sessions, giving us time to see how the work feels and what’s emerging. After that, we can check in and decide together whether to continue. For some people, six sessions feel enough. Others choose to stay in therapy for longer, sometimes for months, or even years.

Therapy can be challenging. It’s not a quick fix, and there may be times when things feel harder before they feel better. As painful experiences come to the surface, it’s natural to feel stirred up or unsettled. But in time, you may begin to feel calmer and more emotionally grounded. You might feel more empowered, with a stronger sense of choice and self-understanding. Your relationships may shift, and it might feel easier to navigate difficult situations. Most of all, you may start to feel more at home in yourself—more able to be who you really are

Where and when would I see you?

If we work together in person, we’ll meet at The Green House Therapy Rooms, in Richmond-Upon-Thames.  If we meet online, you’ll need a private, quiet space where you feel safe to speak freely, without interruptions or the worry of being overheard.

I offer sessions during the working week, including some evening appointments. I don’t see clients at weekends.

Which is better online or in-person?

I work with around half my clients online and half in person, and in my experience, there’s no right or wrong format, just what feels best for you. Some people appreciate the convenience of being at home and avoiding travel, while others value the sense of stepping into a dedicated, neutral space where therapy can be ‘left behind’ at the end. Some feel more comfortable sharing a physical space with their therapist; others find it easier to open up online. If you’re unsure which to choose, it can help to consider a few practical questions:

·      Do I have a quiet, private space for online sessions, where I won’t be overheard or interrupted?

·      How will I take care of myself after the session ends? (Clicking ‘Leave Meeting’ on Zoom can sometimes feel abrupt.)

·      Would the journey to and from in-person sessions help me transition in and out of therapy model.

We can also talk this through together to help you decide what might feel most supportive.

How much does therapy cost?

I charge from £95 for a 50-minute therapy session.