Therapy doesn't have a fixed shape. What we do together will depend on what you bring, what feels useful, and what emerges as we go. What I can tell you is what stays consistent: a space that is genuinely confidential, unhurried, and free from judgement. Somewhere you can say the thing you haven't been able to say anywhere else.

Sessions are 60 minutes, usually weekly, and we'll find a time that works consistently for you. I work in person in central Tunbridge Wells and online or by telephone for those further afield or who prefer it.

How I work

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I don't follow a single fixed approach. I draw on a range of humanistic frameworks — primarily Person-Centred, Gestalt, and Existential — and weave in other approaches where they're useful, including somatic techniques, inner child and parts work, EFT, and elements of solution-focused therapy.

In practice, what that means is: I follow you. I'm not working to a script or a set of techniques I need to get through. I'm paying attention to what you're saying, how you're saying it, what your body is doing, what keeps coming up, what seems to sit just out of reach. And I'll stay with you in that, for as long as it takes.

If you want to know more about the specific approaches I draw on, there's a brief overview below.

When Words Fail You

Sometimes, talking isn't always easiest. Or we struggle to put into words what's going on for us. Or we simply don't have the right words. That's why I offer creative therapy options for clients who'd like to explore different ways of working. It's always by invitation, and if it's not for you, that's absolutely fine. Whether it's art, writing, cards and prompts, or working with sandtrays, there are ways to express yourself beyond words.

These techniques can be powerful tools for self-discovery and a deeper understanding of your emotions. By stepping outside our usual story, they can help us tap into the unconscious beliefs we hold. You don't need to be particularly creative or an artist — the creative interventions are about your process, not the end result.

What to expect

The first step is a free 30-minute consultation — by phone or video — where we can get a sense of each other, talk about what's brought you to therapy, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. There's no obligation on either side.

If we decide to work together, we'll agree a regular time and talk about what you're hoping for, even if that's not entirely clear yet. That's fine — many people arrive not quite knowing what they need, just knowing something needs to change.

How long therapy takes varies enormously. Some people work with me for a few months around a specific issue; others stay longer and go deeper. We'll check in as we go and you're always in the driving seat about when it feels right to stop.

Endings matter. When the time comes to finish, we'll work towards that thoughtfully rather than just stopping — giving what we've done together the space it deserves.

A note on the therapeutic relationship

Research consistently shows that the most significant factor in whether therapy helps is not the approach or the techniques — it's the relationship between therapist and client. Which is why the initial consultation matters, and why I'd never want you to stay in therapy that doesn't feel right, with me or with anyone else.

If it's not working, say so. That's useful information, not a failure.

The approaches I draw on(for those who'd like to know more)

Person-Centred — you are the expert on your own experience. My role is to listen deeply, create space, and trust you to find your own way.

Gestalt — attending to what's happening right now: in your thoughts, feelings, body, and between us in the room.

Existential — the bigger questions: meaning, freedom, responsibility, belonging, and the life you actually want to live.

Somatic approaches — the body holds what the mind sometimes can't reach. Breathwork, grounding, and noticing physical sensation can be powerful ways in.

Inner child and parts work — understanding the different parts of yourself, including younger parts still carrying old pain, and meeting them with compassion rather than frustration.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) — a gentle body-based approach combining cognitive therapy with acupressure tapping. Useful when talking alone feels stuck or overwhelming.

Solution-focused elements — practical tools for the present moment alongside deeper exploration. I'll bring both when useful.