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I currently have availability on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Criticism, disagreement or the possibility of disappointing someone can sometimes feel much bigger than the immediate situation. You may go quiet, agree when you want to say no, avoid a difficult conversation or withdraw from the people closest to you. At other times, you may become defensive or react more strongly than you intended.

You might appear capable and composed, yet privately spend a great deal of time worrying about other people’s reactions, questioning yourself or trying not to get things wrong. When someone is upset with you, it may become difficult to know what you think, feel or need.

Over time, you may find yourself repeatedly giving way, holding things in and then feeling resentful, misunderstood or cut off from your emotions.

I work with adults who want to understand why this happens and respond differently. You may want to speak more honestly, say no without feeling guilty, cope better with disagreement or stay connected to someone without abandoning your own needs.

I work with men and women from a wide range of backgrounds. Many of my clients are professionals, managers, business owners or people carrying significant responsibility, but this is not a requirement. You may simply have reached a point where keeping quiet, keeping other people happy or pushing your feelings aside is costing you too much.

I offer face-to-face counselling in Shenfield, near Brentwood, and online counselling throughout the UK.

In our sessions, we can look closely at what happens when you feel criticised, misunderstood, exposed or under pressure.

Your mind may go blank. You may lose the words, feel tension in your body, want to leave the conversation or suddenly become angry. These reactions often happen very quickly. By noticing them earlier, we can begin to understand what sets them off and what you are trying to protect yourself from.

This does not mean endlessly analysing every reaction. It means becoming more aware of what happens before you automatically go quiet, give way, withdraw or fight back.

My original training was in person-centred counselling, and I am now undertaking advanced training in Gestalt psychotherapy. In practical terms, this means I pay attention not only to what you tell me, but also to what you notice emotionally and physically while we are talking.

I will not pressure you to discuss anything before you are ready. I will, however, take an active interest, ask questions and tell you honestly what I notice. I am not a therapist who sits silently and expects you to do all the talking.

I have completed more than 800 supervised client hours in private practice, bereavement counselling and community counselling. Before becoming a counsellor, I spent around 35 years in business, finance and senior leadership roles. I understand workplace pressure, responsibility, burnout, career change and how difficult it can be to admit that you are struggling.

I work with anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, bereavement, low self-worth, shame, anger, loneliness, work stress, emotional disconnection and major life changes.

I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation before you book a full session. You can tell me briefly what has brought you to counselling, ask questions and decide whether talking with me feels comfortable and useful enough to continue. There is no obligation to book.

During our first full session, we will look more closely at what is happening in your life, what you would like help with and what you hope might change.

You do not need to arrive with a clear explanation. You may know that something feels wrong without yet knowing how to describe it. You decide what to talk about, and you do not have to tell me everything in the first meeting.

I will explain confidentiality, fees, cancellations and the practical arrangements. We can also discuss whether you would prefer face-to-face sessions in Shenfield or online counselling.

Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly. The first session gives both of us the opportunity to decide whether working together feels right. If we continue, we will occasionally look at whether the sessions are helping and whether anything needs to change.