Absolutely - in fact people often do not know what specifically it is that they need to explore but know that something is not quite right for them. Counselling and other talking therapies are recommended by the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for a wide range of issues and concerns. Note that I only work with people over the age of 18.
Absolutely and something I strongly encourage. The introduction no-obligation call lasts for around 15 minutes. It provides an opportunity for you to find out about my approach to this work, and to arrange practical matters like a first appointment.
Appointments are usually available day and evening Monday to Friday. Weekend appointments are possible in particular circumstances.
Appointments are arranged at the initial call, or by text, Whatsapp, or email. You can have the same day and time each week, or change depending on your schedule and my availability.
Each one-hour appointment is charged at £55.00. I offer some concessionary rates on a case-by-case basis. Please contact for further information.
Payment needs to be received five days in advance to secure the appointment. Cancellations are charged unless at least 48 hour notice is given.
I am not a qualified crisis professional. Therefore, I strongly urge anyone who is feeling particularly vulnerable about their sense-of safety, or state of mind or health, to reach out to the experts in these situations. In the UK contact:
It is essential that you feel comfortable working with me, and I work hard to develop a safe, non-judgemental place for you to talk. Often this is a place where you will say things that you have never told anybody else. In exceptional and rare situations, I am professionally and legally compelled to break confidentiality. This includes serious concerns for your own safety/welfare (e.g. suicide) or that of others, or if I believe you may be involved in acts of terrorism, money laundering or trafficking drugs. This is all explained in my written Terms and Agreement document and is standard practice for all professional psychotherapists and counsellors in the UK. Further information is available at BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions Please discuss any concerns about this with me before signing the working Agreement form.
Some aspects of Recovery Coaching might seem like counselling or psychotherapy However, coaching is much more future-focused, about what client's are striving towards and helping them identify and implement the changes necessary to achieve their goal, just as in any form of coaching.
You will need to sign a Terms and Agreement which is standard practice for psychotherapists, counsellors and recovery coaches and usually done during or after the first appointment. This sets out the working principles that we both agree to follow
Our work together is strictly appointment based. Client's contact me between sessions only for practical matters like arranging or appointments.
Counselling and coaching sessions are online or face-to face. Online sessions use a secure platform specifically designed for counsellors and psychotherapists, provided by Psychology Today (it is very similar to Zoom or Google meets).
Face-to-face appointments are usually held in my home office, in Sale, south Manchester (M33) - free roadside parking, and about 12-15 mins walk from the metro-link stop in Sale (Manchester-Altrincham line) and bus services for Sale.
No. I am not clinically qualified to provide advice or recommendations on this or any medical matters. I encourage everyone to speak to a doctor about what is going on and arrange a health check-up. This is especially important for someone who is alcohol-dependent and needs medical advice to taper off rather than stop suddenly. I encourage people to continue to take their prescribed medication.
This is not routinely done. It is really important to develop a trusting, open relationship with the person I am working with, to help understand and support positive change for the behaviours causing problems. I can prepare letters/statements on your behalf and this will be charged at a full session-fee per item.
Yes, I do. I have even set up new meetings and national events, particularly for the LGBTQI community. However, that does not mean that I do not embrace other approaches to recovery. I go to AA for my own recovery, and if I met a client at the meeting, I would greet them in the same way as anyone else who was present, whilst maintaining confidentiality about working with them as a client.
Yes. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My Register Membership Number is 000644308 and Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
Yes - even though the UK does not require any training for people to call themselves a recovery coach, I self-funded my own training with the Recovery Coach Academy developed by the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).