What to expect.
If you've never done anything like this before, or it's been a while, it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous about what actually happens.
Here's exactly what the process looks like from start to finish.
The discovery call.
Before anything else, we have a free 15-minute call. No commitment, no pressure. It's just a chance for you to tell me what's going on, ask anything you want to know, and get a feel for whether this is right for you.
If I'm not the right fit, I'll say so and point you somewhere that is. It has to feel right for both of us.
Most people come off that call feeling clearer than they did before it. Even if they haven't decided anything yet.
Your first session.
The first session is about getting a good idea of where you are right now. We talk about what's happening, what you've experienced, and what you want to be different. I'll ask questions, but you don't have to have all the answers.
It's just a conversation. Most people leave feeling two things: relieved that they finally said it out loud, and more hopeful that things can actually change.
Ongoing sessions.
Sessions are 50 minutes, either weekly or fortnightly, depending on what works best for you. The work is responsive - some weeks we'll go deeper, some weeks we'll focus on something practical that's come up. They're very led by you.
I work intuitively, which means I often get a sense of what could be going on that isn't being said. I pay attention to what's present and what your nervous system is telling me. It's a personal experience that has the whole of you as the focus.
How we meet.
I work with clients all over the UK online via Google Meet or telephone - from the comfort of your own space.
I also see clients face to face in Manchester, including walk and talk sessions if you'd prefer something a little different.
FAQs.
Before you start
What if I've never had therapy before?
Good - come with no preconceptions. You don't need to know how this works or what to say. You just need to show up. A lot of the women I work with have never done anything like this before and they're often surprised by how natural it feels. Some even tell me they look forward to their sessions, which they never expected.
What if I'm not sure it's right for me?
That's exactly what the discovery call is for. You don't have to be certain before you reach out - you just have to be a little curious. We'll figure out together whether this is the right fit. And if it's not, I'll do my best to point you somewhere that is.
Do I have to have a major problem to work with you?
Absolutely not. That quiet sense that life is fine but not quite right - that you should feel more settled or more alive than you do - is one of the most common reasons people come to me. You don't have to be at crisis point. You just need to feel like something's missing.
I'm worried I'm going to feel judged.
Nothing you say in our sessions will shock me, disappoint me, or change how I see you. I'm not here to evaluate you, only to help you. The things you're most ashamed of and most afraid to say out loud are often the things that need the most care. You'll know pretty quickly whether it feels safe. And if it doesn't, it's okay to tell me.
Is counselling clinical?
The way I work, no. You'll be having a real conversation with a real person who genuinely wants to help. I'm warm, direct, and while I'm professional in my role, I don't hide behind it. There's even laughter in sessions, and clients have told me they didn't realise how cathartic that is. That said, the work is always purposeful. We're always moving towards something.
Do you offer a consultation?
Yes - a free 15-minute discovery call before we begin. No commitment, no obligation. Just a conversation to see if we're a good fit.
How it actually works
What if I don't know what to talk about?
Most people don't, and that's absolutely fine. Sometimes the most important thing that comes up is the thing you didn't plan to say at all. I'll ask questions, I'll follow what's present, and we'll find our way together.
How long does it take to see results?
Most people notice something shifting within the first few sessions - even if that's just feeling lighter. It builds from there. How long the overall work takes depends on what you're carrying and what you want to change. We don't put a number on it. We work until it's done.
How many sessions will I need?
There's no fixed number. Some people work with me for a few months and feel like they have what they need. Others choose to keep going because they want to go deeper. We review as we go - you're never locked in.
What's the difference between counselling and coaching?
Counselling tends to focus more on understanding and processing. Coaching is more forward-facing - goals, decisions, action. In practice I blend both. We reflect when reflection is what's needed, and we move when moving is what's needed.
You mention spirituality - do I have to be religious?
Not at all. You don't need any spiritual beliefs or background to work with me. None of it is imposed or expected. When I talk about spirituality I mean concepts and ideas - we won't be meditating or making mood boards. What I do talk about is intuition, gut feeling, and intention, because these are things everybody understands even if they don't always follow them.
Can you explain confidentiality?
Everything you share in our sessions stays between us. I won't discuss your sessions with anyone else without your consent. There are a small number of legal exceptions - specifically if I have serious concerns about your safety or someone else's, or if required by a court of law. If that ever became relevant I would always aim to talk to you about it first. If you have specific questions before we start, please ask.
Can you actually help with what I'm going through?
The women I work with come with all kinds of struggles - anxiety, low confidence, people-pleasing, feeling invisible, going through a major life change, running a business while quietly battling imposter syndrome. What they all have in common isn't the specific problem. It's the feeling underneath it - that they're somehow in their own way, and they're tired of it. If that's where you are, the best thing to do is book a discovery call.
Ready to take the first step?
The first step is just a conversation. Free, no commitment, no pressure.