Frequently Asked Questions

Do you only see men?

Not at all! My core area of work is with men and male issues but this is not limited to working with men only; I welcome all that wish to inquire.
What does 'Specialising in men's mental health' mean?

Throughout my professional career, I have found that a particularaly large number of men have chosen to see me over this time. I have sat with and talked through a wide range of male-specific issues and concerns as a result, and therefore have chosen an intended focus on helping more men, but not the exclusion of any female clients that wish to see me.
Will I have to talk about sex?

Sex can often be a difficult or embarrassing subject to explore, especially at the start of therapy. As with any subject, you only need to share what feels comfortable for you at the time. I treat all clients with respect, understanding and empathy within a confidential setting, so if the time feels right for you to share more intimate and personal reflections on your life, you'll be able to do so in a supportive and confidential environment.
How long does counselling last for?

Each session is 60 minutes long and is set at the same time on the same day each week to provide a sense of stability and regulatory. In terms of the overall length of therapy, we can discuss your individual needs at the assessment stage to see what suits you best. I operate my practice in an open-ended approach. This means that we will work together until you feel that you have reached a point where you can best support yourself, and we can plan an appropriate ending. I would recommend 8 sessions as a minimum contract in order to gain a good enough sense of what you need from therapy and for the therapeutic relationship to have enough of an opportunity to flourish and be useful.
What happens if I can't make a session?

If you're unable to make an arranged session, please let me know as soon as you are able to. I appreciate that life situations can get in the way of a pre-arranged appointment resulting in cancelling sessions and I will do my best to offer alternatives to maintain weekly regular attendance, however sessions cancelled with less than 7 days notice do incur a cancellation fee if there are unable to be rearranged within the week. Ideally, you'd be able to attend sessions regularly to allow the therapeutic relationship to develop as successfully as possible. If you're struggling to make your appointments on a regular basis, alternative appointment options can be talked through.
What should I do if I'm late?

If you think you'll miss the start of the session, please let me know as soon as you're able to by phone, text or email.
How do I pay?

I accept payment by cash or card. Card payment incur an additional charge of £0.99p. I usually require payment on the day of the session. I can arrange monthly invoices for business contracts, usually payable within 10 days of receipt.
Are you insured?

Yes. I have full indemnity and public liability insurance as well as attending regular supervision, in accordance with BACP guidelines.
What public transport serves your location?

SouthWest Trains to Brentford train station to/from Waterloo London Underground District Line or Overground services to Gunnersbury station to/from Richmond Various bus routes throughout the Brentford area. See home page for more details.
Do you have disabled access?

My practice room is located on the first floor, which means there will be a staircase to access it and therefore is not wheelchair accessible.
What makes you different to all the other counsellors?

I am as individual and alike as every other human being out there. What makes us all unique is our own individuality and sense of self and my belief is that there are no two human beings alike in the world, regardless of how similar some of us may appear to be at first. I would recommend trying out several counsellors to gain a feel for who's right for you. Building a relationship with the right counsellor for you, is one of the most important aspects of successful therapy.
Can I bring a friend with me the first time?

An accompanying friend or family member is often seen as supportive and helpful for a lot of 'first time' situations that we encounter, which may otherwise seem daunting to accomplish on our own. If you need the help and support of a friend to get you here, or walk you up to the door, then I would recommend utilising that as best you can. The individual therapy session itself can only be between yourself and me. If you feel nervous about attending, then I would recommend waiting until for a time when you do feel able to manage the first session. Guides for the blind and language interpreters including sign language specialists, would be the exception, as well as parent(s) accompanying their child (under the age of 18) for a small portion of the initial assessment session, if mutually agreeable by both client and parent.
Will you prescribe medication if I need it?

No. Counsellors are not able to prescribe medication for clients. This would be the work of a psychiatrist, which is a differently trained field of expertise. If you feel that medication is something you need for your mental wellbeing, then contact your GP in the first instance.
The problems I have aren't mentioned here, am I still able to come and see you?"

Absolutely! Problems or difficulties are very personal to each and every individual and my approach to all of them is with empathy, warmth and compassion. The fundamental aspect of counselling is for you to be able to speak as freely as you're comfortable with and for me to be able to hear and understand what's troubling you in a confidential and safe environment.