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I currently have some availability for new clients.

I offer appointments daytime and evening, Monday to Friday.  I work primarily in person, but also offer online and telephone counselling.

I am a person centred counsellor with more than 25 years experience.    Prior to qualifying as a counsellor, I was a lecturer and it was students often coming to me with their problems, as well as my own keen interest in personal development and self awareness,  that led me to train in counselling.  I also taught counselling part time for over ten years.

My counselling experience includes long and short term counselling in education, with NHS staff, industry and the voluntary sector.  I also have a private practice where I see a wide range of clients dealing with issues such as anxiety and depression, bereavement loss and change, difficult relationship situations such as bullying or abuse and the many other challenges that we can encounter in life.  

I have trained in other counselling approaches such as cbt, solution-focused, trans personal psychology and mindfulness, which I may use, occasionally, but always within a person centred framework.  Every client is unique, so therapy is tailored to meet individual needs and desired outcomes.

As I have also trained in person centred expressive therapy, clients may also use art, writing, journaling, movement or bodywork as part of their therapeutic journey.  However, this is always optional and completely up to the client.  Although only a minority of clients embrace this way of working, a creative approach can be very helpful.

I am based on the outskirts of Standish, near J.27 of the M6 so am convenient for Chorley, Wigan, Leyland, Preston and Warrington.  I endeavour to be flexible and work around client needs and availability as far as scheduling appointments is concerned   For example a client may want in person sessions, but car trouble or winter weather may make it easier to move to an online session for a while.

I provide a welcoming, comfortable and confidential space.  As a person centred counsellor I offer a supportive, empathic and non-judgmental relationship, within which life’s difficulties and painful situations can be explored, to gain the clarity to move forward in a happier and more positive way.  Therapy eases emotional pain as we gain insights and grow in self awareness and personal development. We can let go of so much that was holding us back, as fears and old wounds are released.  We develop new ways of approaching life and get to know ourselves at a deeper and more authentic level, so we know what needs to change and how to change it.  

I work from a home based practice, but I no longer have noisy young children, so clients can rest assured that my room is quiet, peaceful, and as a conservatory, it is at the rear of the house, accessed directly by an independent pathway.   There is plenty of parking on the road at the side.

Prior to committing to counselling I always offer potential clients a free half hour initial consultation.  This gives people an opportunity to meet me and see if they  are comfortable with me and the way I work.  It also can clarify whether counselling is definitely the right step to take.  There is no obligation to commence counselling after this meeting.