What to expect from counselling
You’re welcome to come as you are — unsure, curious, cautious, or all of the above.
A simple look at what it’s like to work together, and how therapy usually works
What It's Like To Work With Me
A relaxed, collaborative way of working together
I aim to work in a way that’s compassionate, encouraging, and relaxed.
Hopefully, it becomes your space, somewhere you can say things as they are — the good, the bad, and the messy — and let me know if I’ve got something wrong or we’re not quite on the same page.
Believe it or not, therapy doesn’t need to feel clinical and isn’t intense all the time. There’s room for seriousness, humour, frustration, silence, swearing, and everything in between.
You know yourself best, so you set the direction — but I won’t just sit back and nod. I’ll listen carefully, ask questions that help us get to what’s really going on, and gently challenge you where it’s helpful.
You can expect:
- A balance of empathy and honesty
- An approach that adapts to how things are — whether things feel steady or stop-start
- Curiosity about patterns, without judgement
- Practical support when you want change, and no pressure when you don’t
- Flexibility — if something isn’t working, we’ll figure out what will
Sometimes therapy is about insight. Sometimes it’s about trying something different. Often, it’s both.
How I Work
I draw from a few different approaches in a flexible, collaborative way
that’s led by what feels helpful for you, rather than a fixed way of working.
Person-Centred Therapy
We’ll talk about whatever is on your mind, at your pace. The focus is on understanding your world as you experience it.
From there, we can start to make sense of what’s going on and help you feel clearer, more steady, and more able to trust yourself.
Gestalt Therapy
We’ll focus on what’s coming up for you in the moment, while making space for anything from the past that feels unfinished.
By working through the old stuff, the aim is to help you leave it where it belongs – so you can live your life to the full and on your terms.
Transactional Analysis
We’ll look at any patterns you find yourself repeating in relationships, and where these might come from.
This can help you get to know your wants or needs and develop the confidence and
self-worth to communicate them to those around you.
CBT
You might know CBT for being rigid or full of homework. That’s not how I use it – no boring worksheets here!
Instead, we might look at any thoughts or beliefs that are getting in your way, and try small, practical shifts to help things feel easier day to day.
How Therapy Usually Works
Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. If you’re wondering what actually happens, here’s how therapy with me usually works — from a first conversation through to ongoing sessions, and ending when the time feels right for you.
Sessions are available both online and in person in Exeter, depending on what feels most manageable and convenient for you.
Before we start: your initial consultation
Before booking a first session, we’ll have a brief initial consultation. This is a relaxed, informal chat to see whether this feels like the right fit for you.
It can take place by phone, video, or email. I’ll ask a few simple questions to understand what you’re looking for and whether I’m the right person to support you.
There’s no pressure to continue — it’s simply a chance to see how it feels to talk. If we decide to go ahead, we’ll arrange your first session and I’ll send over the practical details.
Occasionally, I might think another approach or service would suit you better — if so, I’ll let you know and help point you in the right direction.
Your first session
It’s completely normal to feel nervous before a first session — we’ll take things step by step and focus on what feels most manageable for you.
The first session can feel slightly different from ongoing therapy, as I’ll ask a few more questions to understand what’s brought you here and how I can support you.
We’ll usually cover:
- What’s brought you to therapy
- Any hopes or goals (even if they’re unclear)
- A little about you and what feels important in your life
- How we might work together
There’s no obligation to continue beyond this session — it’s simply a chance to see how it feels to talk together.
Ongoing sessions
Ongoing sessions are where the real work of therapy happens.
We’ll usually begin with a brief check-in, and from there, you decide what feels most helpful to focus on. If you’re unsure where to start, we’ll work it out together.
Therapy isn’t always linear — sometimes things feel clearer, sometimes heavier — and you won’t be left to navigate that on your own.
We can review how things are going as we go and adjust if needed.
Ending therapy
You decide when you feel ready to end therapy.
For some people, that’s after a short period of focused work; for others, it’s longer-term.
When the time feels right, we’ll plan an ending with care — looking at what’s changed and what you’re taking forward.
There’s no pressure to end before you’re ready, and you’re always welcome to return in the future.
Taking The Next Steps
If you feel ready to take the next step, you can arrange a free initial consultation below.