Individual counselling for adults
Your time to think out loud and make sense of things
What Brings People To Therapy
These are some of the more common areas I work with, although my counselling is not limited to these.
Relationships
Even relationships that seem “fine” to those around you can secretly feel confusing, draining, or painful.
Maybe you relate to some of the following?
- Losing yourself in relationships: you might change or hide parts of yourself to feel accepted or keep the peace. This can leave you unsure of what you truly want or need.
- Harmful relationships: experiencing manipulation, control, or gaslighting may have left you doubting yourself or walking on eggshells.
- Complex family dynamics: ongoing tension or tough family relationships leave you feeling guilty, frustrated or uncertain about where you stand.
- Struggles with confidence, boundaries, and trust: you may find it hard to speak up or say “no” for fear of being too much. Maybe you’re avoiding commitment or feel overwhelmed by suspicion and doubt.
- Wondering if you’re the cause: you might notice the same patterns repeating in your relationships. Perhaps always ending up with the “wrong person” and think, “It must be me” or “It’s what I deserve.”
Neurodivergent experiences (ADHD, Autism & AuDHD)
If you’ve been diagnosed, are waiting for an assessment, supporting someone else or wondering if you are neurodivergent, you might find some of the following points relatable
- Late diagnosis or questioning neurodivergence: concern that you’re “faking”, feeling grief or anger over missed opportunities, or uncertain about what to do next.
- Burnout, anxiety, or low mood: possibly stemming from years of masking, pushing through, or striving to meet expectations in a world that may not feel built for you.
- Everyday life feels like hard work: fatigue from hiding your true self in an effort to seem ‘normal’, struggling with tasks that others might find straightforward, or having difficulty winding down.
- Low self-esteem or self-doubt: shaped by repeated experiences of being misunderstood, dismissed, or hearing comments like “too much,” “weird”, “not good enough”, or “lazy”.
- Relationship challenges: feeling misunderstood, having arguments over lateness or organisation, and experiencing disconnection due to different sensory needs or difficulties in sharing your feelings.
I don’t provide diagnostic assessments, but I’d love to help you explore your experiences and find ways to support you.
Life changes & transitions
Life often changes in unexpected ways. Sometimes, it happens all at once; other times, it sneaks up on you, leaving you feeling a bit off balance or unsure.
Maybe you relate to some of the following?
- Leaving or being left in a relationship: dealing with loss, uncertainty, or the feeling that life has taken an unexpected turn.
- Questioning where you are in life: reflecting on your age, circumstances, or relationships and wondering why things aren’t how you imagined they would be.
- Sensing that something needs to change: feeling stuck, restless, or disconnected, but unsure what needs to change or how to take the next step.
- Perimenopause or menopause: experiencing shifts in mood, energy, or confidence, and feeling overwhelmed by managing symptoms alongside daily life.
- Changes around parenthood: becoming a parent, facing the challenges of family life, or adjusting as children grow up or leave home.
- Supporting ageing parents: balancing worry, new responsibilities, and the emotional aspects of caring for others while managing your own life
Anxiety, low mood & self doubt
Anxiety and low mood can often be subtle, yet they may influence many aspects of your life. They can quietly affect how you think, feel, and connect with yourself and those around you.
Maybe you relate to some of the following?
- Anxiety that affects everything: you may find yourself stuck in constant “what if” thoughts, overthinking, or striving for perfection. Maybe you worry about others or plan for worst-case scenarios, sometimes holding yourself or them back to feel safer.
- Trying to manage: you might hide feelings of panic, tightness in your chest, or restlessness. Constantly seeking reassurance from those around you might help you to cope.
- Being tough on yourself: you might tell yourself that you should manage better, that others handle things more easily, or that your life isn’t “bad enough” to feel this way.
- Thinking this is just who you are: you may believe that anxiety or low mood is simply part of your personality, something you’ve always experienced, and that it can’t really change.
- Feeling low or emotionally flat: you could feel drained, disconnected, or lacking purpose. Maybe you’ve lost interest in things you once enjoyed, or are going through the motions while feeling separate from what’s happening around you.
- Feeling like a burden: you might isolate yourself to avoid “bringing others down” or try to please people to dodge conflict or rejection. This can leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, and caught in a cycle that keeps anxiety alive.
How Therapy May Help
Therapy allows you the time to pause and make sense of what’s going on — especially if you’re used to looking like you’re coping on the outside while things feel unsettled underneath. It isn’t about fixing you or rushing towards solutions. It’s about understanding your experience as part of your whole story.
Making Sense of What’s Happening
In the early stages, we slow things down. Whether you have a clear focus or just know something feels off, we can begin there.
- You may start to notice patterns in how you think, relate, cope, or respond under pressure.
- We’ll take time to understand what shaped the patterns you’ve developed — seeing them not as isolated problems, but as ways you coped with what was happening.
- You may begin to see connections between past experiences and present-day dynamics.
- We’ll work in a way that suits how your mind processes — including pace, communication style, and sensory preferences where relevant.
As Therapy Progresses
As understanding deepens, things often shift. Rather than just noticing patterns, you may begin relating to yourself and others differently.
- You may feel more confident naming what you need, without harsh self-criticism.
- You might respond to anxiety or overwhelm with more awareness and less urgency.
- You may begin setting boundaries and adjustments that feel realistic and supportive.
- You may feel calmer, more confident, less alone, or clearer about what matters to you.
Some changes are subtle. Others are more noticeable. There’s no prescribed outcome — we see where it leads.
How I work: Online & In-Person
I offer both online and in-person counselling, so you can choose the format that best suits you.
In-Person Therapy
Sessions take place at The Good Life Therapy Centre in Exeter, Devon, in a comfortable and private setting.
Fees & Session Times
Fees: £60 for a 50-minute session
- Session times and frequency are flexible
- Short, long-term and open-ended therapy available
- Evening and weekend sessions offered
- Initial 20-minute conversation is free
Common Questions
Do I need to know what I want to talk about?
No — and many people don’t. It’s very common to come to therapy feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or not quite able to put things into words yet. We can take things slowly and work out together what feels most important for you.
What if I’m not sure counselling will help?
If something is starting to affect your day-to-day life — your relationships, how you feel about yourself, or your sense of wellbeing — it can be helpful to talk it through and explore it a little more.
It’s also worth remembering that you don’t need to be struggling with something specific. Some people come to counselling simply to understand themselves better.
You don’t need to be convinced or have a clear goal before reaching out. A free initial consultation is a chance to talk a little about what’s been going on and to explore whether counselling feels like the right support for you.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is simply a starting point. We’ll talk about what’s brought you to therapy and what you’re hoping for. There’s no expectation to share more than you feel ready to.
You can read more about what to expect in the first session on the What to Expect page.
How long does counselling usually last?
There isn’t a fixed answer to this. It depends on what you’re hoping to work through and what feels right for you.
Some clients come with one issue in mind and find that it evolves over time. Working with longstanding patterns or behaviours can take longer — especially if they’ve been part of your life for many years.
Many people begin with weekly sessions and later move to fortnightly or occasional ‘top-up’ sessions. We’ll review things together as we go, and the pace is always something we can talk about.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes, counselling is confidential. There are some legal and ethical exceptions where I may need to share information, usually relating to serious concerns about safety.
I explain these clearly before you begin, so you understand exactly what confidentiality means in practice. If you have any questions, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Can I book a first session without meeting you?
I usually suggest a short phone or video call first, as it helps us both get a sense of whether working together feels right.
I also understand that not everyone finds calls easy. If email feels safer or simpler for you, that’s absolutely fine — we can arrange things in a way that works for you.