Counselling That Works With You, Not On You

I offer private, confidential, person-centred counselling for adults, which means we work together as genuine partners. You’re not a problem to be fixed, and I’m not here with a preset agenda. Instead, we’ll explore what matters to you, at your pace, in ways that actually help.

What Does Person-Centred Really Mean?

It means you’re in the driver’s seat. You decide what we talk about, what we leave aside for now, and how deep we go. My job is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can think out loud, untangle difficult feelings, and discover new perspectives.

I won’t just sit there nodding like a therapist in a TV drama, but I also won’t interrogate you or push you where you’re not ready to go. Counselling is a two-way process – I’m actively engaged, asking thoughtful questions, offering reflections, and suggesting different ways to look at things when that might be useful.

The key difference? If something isn’t working for you, we change it. Simple as that.

What Actually Happens in Sessions?

Every session is different because every person is different, but here’s what you can typically expect:

We Talk… and We Listen

Sometimes we have flowing conversations. Other times, I listen carefully – not just to what you’re saying, but to what might be missing or unsaid. Often the things we don’t notice about ourselves are the most revealing, and we can gently explore those together.

Silence is Okay

Some sessions you might need quiet space to sort through your emotions. There’s absolutely no pressure to fill every moment with words. Silence can be powerful, and you’ll never feel rushed.

We Try Different Approaches

If talking through something directly isn’t helping, I might suggest we approach it from a different angle. This could be a simple creative exercise – nothing complicated or scary, I promise! Sometimes drawing a timeline, creating a visual map, or exploring a metaphor can help you see things in a completely new way.

Clients are often surprised by how a five-minute exercise can unlock something that’s been stuck for years.

We Keep Checking In

At the end of each session, we’ll briefly reflect on what was helpful and what wasn’t. This feedback helps us shape future sessions so they’re genuinely productive for you. If the counselling feels stuck somehow, I’ll suggest different tools or ways of working.

There’s always a way to make progress – we just need to find what works for you.

You’re the Expert on You

Here’s something important: my training has given me counselling qualifications and techniques, but you’re the expert on what’s working or not working for you.

My rule is simple – if you’re not making progress, I don’t blame you. Instead, we try something else. Different approach, different angle, different tools. Whatever it takes.

What Counselling Actually Does

One of my favourite quotes about therapy comes from Ernesto Spinelli, who put it beautifully:

“Therapy at its most fundamental level involves the act of revealing, reassessing, and reconstructing the life stories that clients tell themselves in order to establish or maintain meaning.”

— Ernesto Spinelli

In plain English? I help you relate to your past and present in a different way.

None of us can change what’s already happened, but we absolutely can change how it affects us today and tomorrow. We can rewrite the story you tell yourself about who you are and what’s possible for you.

That’s what counselling is really for.

First Time Seeking Counselling?

That’s absolutely fine. Most people feel a bit nervous before their first session – it’s completely normal to feel unsure about opening up to someone new.

Here’s what might help: our first session is really just a conversation. We’ll talk about what’s brought you here, what you’re hoping to get from counselling, and whether we feel like a good fit. There’s no commitment, no pressure, and you can ask me anything.

Many clients tell me they feel relieved after that first session – just having taken the step and realised it wasn’t as daunting as they’d feared.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you want tomorrow to be different, let’s talk about it.

Call me on 07879 344133 for a free, informal chat about what you’re looking for. We can discuss whether counselling might help, answer any questions you have, and arrange a first session if you’d like to go ahead.

Alternatively, email me at simon@octopustherapy.co.uk and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.