The introductory call is a short, informal conversation to help us decide whether working together feels right.

You do not need to prepare anything or tell me your whole story. I may ask a little about what has brought you to counselling and what you are hoping for, and you will have the opportunity to ask me any questions you have.

I will also explain a little about how I work and the practical side of starting counselling.

There is no obligation to book a session afterwards.

I offer:

• Face-to-face counselling in Castleford, West Yorkshire (WF10)

• Online counselling across the UK

Online sessions take place by secure video call, so you can attend from somewhere private and comfortable without needing to travel.

The first session gives us more time to begin understanding what has brought you to counselling.

There is no expectation that you tell me everything immediately. We can go at a pace that feels manageable.

We might talk about what has been happening in your life, what has been difficult recently, what you would like from counselling and anything that feels important for me to understand.

It is also another opportunity for you to get a sense of how it feels to talk with me.

I work primarily from a person-centred approach.

This means I will not arrive with a programme for you to follow or assume that I know what you should do.

You set the direction of our work.

That does not mean I will simply sit silently while you talk. I listen closely, respond to what you bring, reflect things I notice and ask questions when they may help you understand something more clearly.

There is no correct way to “do” counselling.

Most clients choose to meet weekly, particularly when counselling begins, because regular sessions can help the work develop.

We can discuss what is realistic and useful for you when we first speak.

There is no fixed number of sessions.

Some people come to counselling for a relatively short period to explore something specific. Others value having a longer-term space to understand themselves and their experiences more deeply.

I am happy to work short-term or open-ended, depending on what feels useful to you.

We can review how counselling is going as the work develops.

No.

You do not need to be referred by your GP or another professional, and you do not need to have a mental-health diagnosis.

You can contact me directly.

People come to counselling for many different reasons.

You might be experiencing anxiety, grief, loneliness, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, shame, uncertainty, feeling stuck or simply a sense that something in your life needs attention.

I also have particular interests in LGBTQ+ wellbeing and experiences and hoarding-related difficulties.

My practice is open to adults of all identities and backgrounds. You do not need to fit neatly into one of my specialist areas to contact me.

No.

Some people come to counselling with a very clear problem they want to explore. Others simply know that something does not feel right.

You might feel anxious, stuck, lonely, overwhelmed or dissatisfied without being able to explain exactly why. You may also find that what initially brings you to counselling leads us somewhere unexpected.

You do not need to arrive with a goal, a diagnosis or a carefully organised story.

Yes.

I offer LGBTQ+ affirming counselling and have particular experience and interest in working with LGBTQ+ people.

As a gay man myself, I understand that sometimes it is useful to speak with someone without first having to explain the basics of LGBTQ+ life.

You might want to talk about sexuality or identity, but you might equally want to discuss relationships, work, grief, anxiety, loneliness or something completely unrelated.

Yes.

Hoarding-related difficulties are a particular area of interest in my work.

Counselling is not about forcing you to throw things away or judging the way you live. We can instead explore what possessions, acquiring, saving, decision-making, attachment and letting go mean for you.

Change does not have to begin with a clear-out.

Counselling is a confidential space, and protecting your privacy is an important part of the work.

There are some limited circumstances in which I may need to share information — for example, where there are serious concerns about safety or where I am legally required to do so.

I will explain confidentiality and its limits clearly before we begin working together, and you are welcome to ask me questions about this at any point.

Like other practising counsellors, I also undertake regular professional supervision. This supports safe and ethical practice. Clients are not unnecessarily identified during supervision.

That is exactly what the introductory call is for.

Counselling is a relationship, and qualifications or a particular therapeutic approach cannot tell you everything about whether you will feel comfortable talking with someone.

You are welcome to ask me questions, get a sense of how I respond to you and take some time to decide.

If either of us thinks that another type of support might be more appropriate, we can talk about that openly.

That is completely fine.

You do not need to know any counselling terminology or understand different therapy approaches.

I can explain how things work, and you can ask questions at any point.

You will not be expected to know what you are supposed to say.

Yes.

I offer online counselling to adults across the UK.

For some people, online counselling is simply more convenient. For others, being able to speak from a familiar environment makes starting therapy feel easier.

The counselling itself is still based on the same relationship, attention and confidentiality as face-to-face work.

Yes.

I offer online counselling during the evening, including some appointments as late as 11pm.

This can be useful if work, caring responsibilities or other commitments make conventional daytime appointments difficult.

If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, please let me know as soon as you can.

Sessions can be cancelled without a charge up to 24 hours prior to the session starting.