Frequently Asked Questions

What issues can counselling help with?

People come to counselling for many reasons. You might be feeling anxious, low or overwhelmed. You may be coping with bereavement, navigating trauma, feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns or finding relationships hard to manage. Some clients arrive with a recent event that has shaken them, others with a long standing sense that something isn’t quite right.

I work with teens, young people and adults from St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead and across Hertfordshire. I also welcome neurodivergent clients, including those with ADHD or autism, who may be managing overload, burnout or the day to day demands of school, work or family life. Together we slow things down, notice what is happening inside, and build ways of coping that feel realistic and kind.

All sessions take place on Friday afternoons online.

Are you trained in trauma and PTSD support?

Yes. I am trained in Rewind Therapy, which is often used to support people living with trauma or PTSD. Rewind is known for closure without disclosure, meaning you do not have to retell the details of what happened for the work to be effective. Many people find that deeply relieving, especially if talking about the event feels too much.

My approach is gentle and contained. We pay attention to safety and steadiness first, then work at a pace that respects your nervous system. Clients often describe feeling a little more spacious and less on edge as therapy progresses, with fewer flashbacks, fewer intrusive thoughts and a greater sense of choice in daily life.

What is Rewind Therapy and how does it work?

Rewind Therapy helps the brain store traumatic memories differently so they stop feeling so immediate and overwhelming. You remain in control throughout the process. The work is structured, calm and focused, and it can sit alongside ongoing counselling. Many people notice a gradual reduction in hypervigilance, anxiety and distressing imagery in the weeks that follow.

Rewind can be helpful for single incident trauma and also when the past feels messy or complex. It is suitable for teens, young people and adults, and we will always prepare carefully so you feel safe before we begin.

Do you offer counselling for teens and young people?

Yes. I support teens and young people who may be dealing with anxiety, low mood, bereavement, friendship issues, school pressure or emotional overwhelm. Sessions are steady and supportive, giving space to name feelings, understand triggers and find ways of coping that feel realistic.

Sessions can take place online, either at home or in school. Many young people prefer this as it reduces travel and helps them stay connected to their school day. When sessions take place in school, a confidential room and appropriate IT access are needed.

Parents and carers are usually involved in the initial phone call and in setting up appointments. After that, sessions are confidential. I would only contact parents or carers if there is a safeguarding concern or a risk that needs immediate attention.

How do you support adults?

Adults come to counselling for many reasons, including anxiety, bereavement, low mood, trauma, relationship patterns, work stress or a general sense of being overwhelmed. Sometimes there is a clear story to tell. Sometimes there are no words, only a feeling that life is heavier than it needs to be.

Counselling offers a quiet, grounded space to hear yourself think. We focus on understanding what is happening in your mind and body, how past experiences may be showing up now and what helps you feel steadier. Sessions for adults also take place on Friday afternoons online.

Do you work with neurodivergent clients?

Yes. I welcome clients who identify as neurodivergent, including those with ADHD or autism, as well as people who are exploring whether this might describe their experience. Some people don’t use this language at all but recognise themselves in feelings of being overwhelmed, misunderstood, worn down by expectations, or struggling to fit into environments that don’t suit them.

Many clients come because they are feeling overloaded, burnt out or exhausted by the day‑to‑day demands of school, work or family life. We pay close attention to pacing, sensory needs, communication style and what helps you feel comfortable and grounded. Sessions are adapted to suit how you think, process and express yourself, rather than expecting you to fit into a particular way of working.

I work flexibly and collaboratively. This might mean allowing more time to think, using fewer direct questions, working visually or practically at times, or gently slowing things down so sessions feel manageable rather than pressurised.

Some people like to have supportive or grounding items nearby during sessions, such as a fidget, soft object or something meaningful to them. As sessions take place online, you are welcome to have anything with you that helps you feel settled and focused. There is no right or wrong way to be in the space.

Sessions are always shaped around your preferences and needs, with the aim of creating a calm, respectful and supportive environment where you don’t have to mask or explain yourself.

How long will counselling take?

There isn’t a right number. Some people find short term work helpful, especially when focused on a particular issue. Others value longer term therapy where there is time to notice patterns and make steady change. Sessions are usually weekly because meeting regularly helps build trust and momentum. We review together as we go, and you remain in charge of the pace and length of the work.

Where do sessions take place?

I offer online counselling for adults and young people. I work with clients across Hertfordshire, including St Albans, Harpenden and Wheathampstead, and further afield.

Online sessions can be helpful if you prefer not to travel, if you have a busy schedule, or if you feel more comfortable in your own space. For young people, sessions can be arranged to take place during the school day where a confidential room and access to Google Meet are available.

Is counselling confidential?

Yes. What you share in counselling is confidential, unless there is a risk of harm that must be addressed. I explain how confidentiality works clearly at the start so you know where you stand. For young people, parents and carers are involved only in the initial arrangements, unless a safeguarding concern arises.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is a gentle conversation about what brings you here and what you hope might change. There is no pressure to tell your whole story or to talk about anything before you feel ready. We agree some simple ground rules, consider what support might help and decide together on next steps.

What is it like having counselling online?

From experience, many people find online counselling feels more comfortable than they expect. Sessions can take place at home or, for young people, in school, which often means less disruption to the day and no travel time.

Being in a familiar space can help people feel more at ease. Some clients like to have things nearby that help them feel grounded, such as a blanket, a fidget toy, a soft cushion or a crystal. You are welcome to use whatever helps you settle and focus during the session.

For online counselling to work well, it’s important that you are the only person in the room and that the space is private and confidential. You shouldn’t be able to be overheard, and I’ll check this with you at the start of sessions so we both feel confident about privacy.

What if I don't know what to say?

Many people worry about not knowing what to say in counselling. There is no expectation to talk continuously or to arrive with things prepared. Silence, uncertainty and taking time to think are all welcome. We work at your pace.

How do I book a session?

You can get in touch by email or through the enquiry form. Many clients from St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead and across Hertfordshire begin with an initial conversation to see whether working together feels like a good fit. All appointments are on Friday afternoons.