My Approach to Counselling in Bristol
How we can work together
I work pluralistically, meaning our sessions are shaped around your individual needs, preferences, and goals.
I draw from evidence-based approaches that support building self-compassion, managing anxiety, behaviours and stress, as well as building acceptance and resilience. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Person-Centred Therapy, as well as offering a chance to simply explore whatever has brought you here, without pressure or agenda.
Together we can work through identifying and managing strategies for anxiety, stress and depression with compassion and developing a greater understanding of yourself. We build self confidence and self esteem through improving self compassion, challenging negative automatic thoughts and building a kinder internal voice. I also work with clients experiencing relationship difficulties, low motivation and offer a space to explore experiences and develop a deeper relationship with yourself. You don't need to arrive with a clear picture of how you would like support, but together we can work towards enabling you to feel more confident, empowered and in control of your future.
I work from a place of building and developing acceptance, care and compassion towards oneself, including helping to give you the tools to work through difficulties and work towards improved mental health. Whether you're navigating anxiety, low self-esteem, stress, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, my approach is always centred around you.
Some days we talk and reflect, work through strategies, and problem-solve. Other days we may explore or use mindful approaches to ground and regulate. Both are welcome, and we'll always find what feels manageable, safe, and helpful for you.
I offer both short term and long term counselling sessions, and clients often choose to work initially together for 6 weeks with reviews. We can then re-contract if you would like to continue our sessions together, but there is no obligation to continue, and reviews are always aimed at helping you end therapy when you feel ready to. In-person or online counselling sessions are available, Monday 9am-7pm, Tuesday 9am - 6pm and Thursday 2- 7pm.
Our sessions will be
personalised
In our initial session, we'll take the time to get to know you, exploring your unique needs, personal history, and therapeutic goals. This session is an opportunity to establish a comfortable and trusting foundation for our work together, ensuring that your therapy is tailored to support your specific journey.
integrative
Everyone has different needs, and different approaches work for different people. I draw on many counselling modalities, including; Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Using creative therapies and developing mindfulness strategies to help you feel empowered and in control.
collaborative
I’ll work closely and collaboratively with you to identify your preferences and tailor our sessions to meet your goals. Through this we will work together to help identify and overcome your challenges.
My Approach
Being a pluralistic therapist means I don't work from a single model. Instead, I work with you to identify the approaches that best fit your needs, preferences and goals, and we choose strategies together.
I believe that communication and collaboration are essential for therapy to work. We'll have regular reviews and opportunities to change direction. If an approach isn't helping, we'll always make room to talk about it, reflect on your progress, and draw on the evidence-based approaches that are helping.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT looks at the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. If you find yourself stuck in patterns such as overthinking, self-criticism, avoidance or anxious spirals, CBT offers practical tools, including reframing and challenging negative automatic thoughts, to help you start shifting them.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is about changing your relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to get rid of them. We practise making room for feelings while stepping back from the thoughts, and assessing how you'd like to respond. It helps you move towards what matters to you, even when anxiety or self-doubt is in the room.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
CFT can be particularly helpful if you often say unkind or critical things to yourself, if your inner critic is loud, or if shame is part of what you're carrying. It helps you build your own compassionate inner voice and focuses on developing genuine self-compassion, towards yourself and others.
What to expect
The Free Consultation Call
Before anything else, I offer a free 30-minute phone or video call. It's a chance to ask questions, tell me a little about what has brought you to therapy, and get a sense of whether working with me feels right. There's no pressure to book a session afterwards.
The First Session
We'll spend most of our first session getting to know each other: what has brought you to therapy now, and what you'd like to be different. By the end, we'll have a clearer picture of what working together could look like.
Ongoing Sessions
Sessions are 50 minutes, weekly or fortnightly. In-person appointments take place at The Treatment Rooms, 14 Park Row, Bristol. Online sessions are held via Teams. I'll send you a link before each session, and there's nothing to download.
Reviews and Endings
I'll check in with you every week, and we'll hold a fuller review every four to six weeks to look at what's changing, what still needs attention, and whether the approach needs adjusting. Reviews are also a chance to plan an ending when you feel ready. There's no obligation to continue.
Getting started
To get started, we begin with booking in a free 30-minute initial session online or by phone. This gives us a chance to get to know each other, discuss what you would like to get from our sessions and explore how we can work together.
Whether you're seeking counselling for anxiety, stress, low self-confidence, or simply a supportive space to process life, let's explore it together.
In Person & Online
Monday 11am – 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pmThursday 2pm - 7pm
The Treatment Rooms
Park Row, Bristol BS1
Online Sessions
Via Teams
Get in touch via the button below, email, WhatsApp or book a call directly through Counselling Directory. I'll get back to you within two working days.