Counselling provides a confidential space to explore your thoughts and feelings with a trained professional. It helps you work through challenges and gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

Sometimes, opening up to friends or family feels too vulnerable, and you may worry about being judged or burdening others. In these cases, counselling can offer a valuable alternative.

Working with a trained counsellor gives you the freedom to speak openly and honestly, knowing you won’t be judged. The sessions are dedicated to you, and you decide when you're ready to finish—there's no obligation to continue unless you choose to.

Choosing to begin counselling is a deeply personal decision and one that only you can determine if you're ready for. Counselling isn't a quick fix; it involves exploring the vulnerable or hurting parts of yourself, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or painful. However, it can also be incredibly rewarding and transformative.

You might be ready for counselling if you notice any of the following signs:

• A persistent feeling that something isn’t quite right

• Overwhelm or difficulty coping with daily life

• Constant overthinking or an inability to "switch off" your thoughts

• Experiencing a low mood or feeling more tearful than usual

• Feeling "stuck" or uncertain about an issue or your general life direction

• Increased frustration, anger, or difficulty managing emotional reactions

• A desire for change

Before starting counselling take the time to consider:

• Am I ready to engage fully?

• Can I be honest about my feelings?

• Can I commit the time and resources needed?

If you’re still unsure, consider arranging a free 30-minute introductory session. We can discuss how counselling works, without any commitment. It’s important that you feel we are the right fit and that counselling is right for you.

Each counselling session lasts 60 minutes, and I offer a range of appointment times from Monday to Saturday, between 9 am and 8 pm. We can schedule sessions weekly or fortnightly, depending on what feels right for you. 

There is no minimum or maximum number of sessions required; it’s entirely up to you. Some clients find that a shorter period of sessions is enough to address their concerns, while others prefer a longer-term approach for deeper exploration. I typically suggest starting with 6 sessions, after which we can review your progress and decide together if further sessions would be beneficial difference.

At Graceful Therapy, I believe in making counselling accessible to everyone. That’s why I offer individual counselling sessions for £40, with discounts available for students and those on reduced incomes. 

To help you decide if I am the right counsellor for you, I offer a free initial 30-minute introductory session. This session, conducted over the telephone or online, is a chance for you to learn more about me, discuss what brings you to counselling, and explore how we might work together. It’s a relaxed, no-pressure opportunity to see if my approach aligns with your needs.

To support your commitment to the process, I offer a 10% discount when you book 6 sessions at the same time. This can be a great way to plan for your counselling journey and ensure consistency in your support.

It’s normal to feel nervous about your first session, especially if you've never experienced counselling before. To help ease this, I offer an introductory session before regular sessions begin. This session is an opportunity for me to introduce myself, explain how I work, and for us to discuss our working agreement or "contract," outlining our mutual expectations.

Once our working agreement is in place, we can start scheduling sessions to explore what has brought you to counselling and what you hope to achieve. My role is not to provide advice, dictate what you should do, or diagnose you. Instead, I offer a supportive space where you can explore who you are, what you want, and the best path forward for you.

I am currently just offering online and telephone sessions to provide flexibility and affordability, making it easier for therapy to fit into your schedule. Online counselling is a convenient option for many people, providing flexibility in scheduling and allowing you to engage from the comfort of your own home. It can be particularly useful for those who have mobility challenges, a busy lifestyle, or prefer a familiar environment.

To ensure a smooth online counselling experience, make sure to choose a private, quiet space for your sessions. This helps maintain confidentiality and focus, allowing you to get the most out of your time. If you're new to online counselling, I’m happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have.

Online counselling is ideal if you prefer a more flexible approach to therapy or if visiting a counsellor in person is challenging. It can be equally effective as face-to-face counselling, with the added benefit of accessibility. During our sessions, I'll be in a quiet, undisturbed room, and I encourage you to find a similar private space where you can talk freely without interruptions. It’s also essential to have a stable internet connection and a device with video capabilities.

If you have any concerns about online counselling, we can talk them through during our first session. It is important that the process does not cause you discomfort and if after trying it you feel that it’s not the right thing for you - that’s OK.