288 questions
Questions about men's mental health
How to help a man who is struggling mentally?
I would start with a calm invitation to talk and listen to what he tells you. Describe the change you have noticed rather than deciding what is wrong. Ask what would help, and offer practical support without taking over. You can suggest a GP or counselling, but let him choose where possible. If he cannot keep himself safe, seek urgent help instead of waiting for an appointment.
Where is the best place for a man to get help with his mental health?
I would look at what you need rather than name one best place. Your GP can assess symptoms and discuss treatment. NHS Talking Therapies in England accepts self-referrals for anxiety and depression. Peer groups offer a different kind of support. If you want private man-to-man counselling, my welcome call gives you a chance to ask questions before deciding. My practice is not an emergency service.
Does counselling help men?
Counselling can help you explore a difficulty and work towards changes you choose. Being a man does not determine which approach will suit you. In my work, I use Person-Centred Therapy skills and CBT techniques where appropriate. We agree a focus and review whether the conversations are useful. I cannot promise a particular result or that a fixed number of meetings will be enough.
How long is the waitlist for NHS counselling?
The wait depends on your local service and the support offered. NHS Talking Therapies in England has national standards for a first appointment within six weeks for 75% of people and within 18 weeks for 95%. These are service standards, not a guarantee of your start date or the gap between appointments. Ask your local service about both. If you enquire about working with me, I will confirm my current availability.
What are the common signs of poor mental health in men?
I would pay attention to changes in how you feel and manage daily life. These might include persistent worry, low mood, disturbed sleep, withdrawing from people or losing interest in things you enjoy. Irritability or increased drinking can also be reasons to seek support. No single sign tells you what is wrong. A GP can assess symptoms, including physical symptoms with another possible cause.
What are the signs of depression in men?
Depression can involve persistent low mood, loss of interest, hopelessness, low energy, changes in sleep or appetite and difficulty concentrating. You may also feel irritable or withdraw from people. These signs are not exclusive to men and do not confirm a diagnosis. If symptoms persist or affect daily life, speak to your GP. You can also ask me about counselling alongside appropriate medical support.
What are five signs that I might need a mental health day?
Five changes worth noticing are feeling unusually exhausted, becoming more irritable, struggling to concentrate, having disturbed sleep and pulling away from people. They are reasons to check what you need, not a test that tells you to take a day off. Consider rest, practical support and what is driving the pressure. If the difficulties continue, a break alone may not be enough and a GP or counsellor can help you consider the next step.
What is the biggest mental health issue in men?
I would not reduce men's mental health to one issue. Anxiety, depression, alcohol or drug difficulties, grief and relationship problems can overlap, and prevalence depends on what is being measured. In a conversation with you, I want to understand what is affecting your life rather than fit you to a ranking. If there is an immediate risk to your safety, urgent support comes first.
What are the signs that a man might need therapy?
If worry, low mood, anger, relationship difficulties or a pattern you want to change is affecting your life, you can ask about counselling. You do not need to reach a crisis or arrive with a diagnosis. My welcome call is a chance to discuss what you want help with and whether I can offer suitable support. Persistent or unexplained physical symptoms also deserve a conversation with your GP.
What to do on a day you feel depressed?
I would start with something manageable rather than expect yourself to fix the whole day. Eat something, drink water, choose one small task and contact someone you trust if you can. A short walk may help if it feels manageable. If low mood continues or you are finding it hard to cope, speak to your GP. If you cannot keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help in England, call 111 and select the mental health option.
What is a red flag for a therapist?
I would take pressure, sexual behaviour, exploitation, shaming or misleading qualifications seriously. You should be able to ask about training, fees, confidentiality and boundaries, and raise concerns about the work. Confidentiality has limits that should be explained before you begin. My NCPS membership can be checked, and you can use the Society's complaints process if you need to raise a concern about my practice.
How can I talk to a counsellor for free?
In England, you can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without paying. Your employer, college or university may also offer counselling, subject to eligibility. Listening services such as Samaritans offer support, although that is different from counselling. My welcome call is free and gives you a chance to ask about working with me. The counselling that follows is paid work, with fees agreed before it begins.
What are signs I need to see a therapist?
You can consider counselling when something is affecting your relationships, work or daily life, or when you want help understanding a recurring difficulty. You do not have to wait two weeks before asking for help. A GP is also an appropriate route for persistent symptoms or concerns about your health. I use the welcome call to understand your enquiry and discuss whether my work fits what you need.
What can a therapist not tell you?
If you mean what I can share about you, our conversations are confidential within the limits I explain in the working agreement. Relevant material may be discussed anonymously in clinical supervision. Serious safety concerns or legal requirements may mean information has to be shared, and where possible I discuss that with you. If you mean what I can promise, I cannot guarantee a cure, decide your life choices for you or give medical advice outside my competence.
What are the top 10 common counselling mistakes?
I would focus on ten things to avoid in my own practice. Assuming I understand you before listening. Imposing my goals. Giving instructions instead of exploring your choices. Interrupting. Using techniques without explaining them. Ignoring your feedback. Moving faster than you agree to. Blurring boundaries. Leaving fees or confidentiality unclear. Continuing without reviewing whether the work fits your needs. This is a statement of how I aim to work, not a ranking of mistakes across the profession.
Who is not a good candidate for therapy?
I would ask whether my service is suitable for you at this time rather than label you unsuitable for therapy. An acute crisis, possible psychosis or mania, or alcohol or drug withdrawal may require urgent medical assessment or specialist care. That does not mean counselling can never help. If your needs fall outside my competence, I will explain this and discuss other support. Feeling uncertain about counselling is something we can talk about in a welcome call.
Before your first session
Do I need to know what to talk about before I come?
You can start with what prompted your enquiry. We discuss what you want from counselling and agree a focus.
Do I need to know which service I need?
Use the free welcome call to ask about the formats. We discuss what you want to work on and whether I can offer suitable support.
What if more than one thing is affecting me?
We can discuss several concerns and agree which to focus on first.
Sessions and scheduling
How long is a session?
Standard counselling conversations last 50 minutes. You can also ask about 90-minute conversations.
How often do we meet?
You can start weekly. As things settle, we can move to fortnightly if that suits your schedule and the pace of the work. There is no fixed requirement - we agree what makes sense as we go.
Can I attend online?
Yes. Online sessions are available UK-wide via secure video call or phone. Online means no commute, no one seeing you walk in, and privacy from wherever you are. The work is the same.
Brief Therapy
Does SST mean I can only have one conversation?
No. I approach each conversation with the intention of helping with your chosen concern in that meeting, while keeping further help available. You can return for another focused conversation or discuss an agreed series or ongoing counselling. I do not assume one meeting will resolve everything.
What can a Single-Session cover?
One agreed concern, such as a decision, a difficult conversation or a response to a recent event. We agree what is realistic for the appointment.
Can I book more than one SST session?
Yes. You can book another conversation if you need it, subject to availability. We review what would help rather than require you to finish after one meeting. You can reflect and try agreed steps between meetings, but you do not have to wait to ask for further support.
How is SST different from regular counselling?
SST focuses each conversation on a concern you choose, without requiring an ongoing series in advance. Further help remains available. Ongoing counselling provides an agreed continuity of support, with the focus developing across meetings. The brief therapy page explains that format and its fee. The fees page shows ongoing counselling options.
Do I need to prepare anything before the session?
There is an optional guided discovery form to help identify a focus. You can also make a note of what you want to discuss and any questions.
What is FACT, and how is it different from a single session?
Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy runs as a short planned course, usually two to four sessions, rather than one standalone appointment. It looks at what matters to you, what you do when difficult thoughts and feelings turn up, and what you want to do differently. The first session is structured and ends with something specific to try before we meet again, and that part is purposeful because it shifts things between sessions.
How do I know which brief format I need?
You do not need to decide beforehand. On the free welcome call I will ask what you are bringing, explain what each involves and say which I think fits and why. The recommendation is mine to make and the decision stays yours.
Will it actually work?
Will counselling actually help?
We agree what you want to work on and review whether sessions are useful. I cannot promise an outcome or a number of sessions. Tell me if the work is not meeting your needs so we can discuss the approach or other support.
Is therapy just for people who are really struggling?
You can enquire about a specific concern, a decision or something you want to understand. We discuss suitability before arranging sessions.
Is therapy just for weak people?
Counselling is a professional service for discussing concerns and agreed changes. Strength or weakness is not a criterion for booking.
Getting started
Do I have to be in crisis to book?
No. You can enquire about something you want to work on. If you need urgent help, use an urgent support service rather than waiting for a private appointment.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
The welcome call is a chance to ask about my approach and discuss what you want from counselling. If you begin sessions, we review whether the work fits your needs.
I've never spoken to a therapist before - what's the first call like?
The welcome call is free. We discuss what prompted your enquiry, your questions and availability. It is not a therapy session, and appointments are agreed separately.
What does integrative mean in practice?
My foundation is person-centred therapy. I also draw on training in CBT, FACT and Restorative Practice, discussing how we use those approaches in the work.
New dads and fathers
I became a dad and I feel completely disconnected. Is that normal?
We can discuss your experience of becoming a parent. If a change in mood or other symptoms concern you, speak to your GP or health visitor. This FAQ cannot determine whether you have depression.
My partner had a traumatic birth and I can't stop thinking about it.
You can discuss what happened and its effect on you in counselling. We consider the support you need, including whether specialist treatment or a conversation with your GP is appropriate.
I'm a new dad but I feel angry, not sad. What's going on?
Anger alone does not establish a diagnosis. We can explore particular situations and how you respond. Speak to your GP about persistent changes in mood or other health concerns.
What the sessions are actually like
What if I don't know what to say?
You can describe what prompted the appointment or ask questions about the process. We can work from there.
What happens in the first session?
We discuss what has brought you to counselling, what you want from it and the working agreement, including fees and confidentiality. We agree how to proceed.
What if I start crying?
We can pause or continue, and discuss what you need at that point.
Specific things men bring
I think what I have is anxiety, not just stress. Do you cover that?
Yes. The anxiety guide describes examples of concerns you can discuss and how I approach the work. Counselling here does not provide a diagnosis.
Do you work with anger specifically?
Yes. We can examine particular situations, your responses and their impact. The anger guide explains the service and when to seek urgent support.
I'm not in crisis, I'm just burnt out. Is that still a reason to come?
Yes. You can discuss work pressure, exhaustion, boundaries and decisions about work. The burnout guide explains the counselling offered.
Can you help with drinking, gambling or other habits that have gone too far?
We can discuss your concerns and whether my training and service are appropriate. My specialist qualification is in drug and alcohol counselling. The addiction guide explains counselling for alcohol and drug concerns.
My relationship is ending, or already has. Is that something you cover?
Yes. I offer individual counselling about relationship breakdown. This is not couples counselling, mediation or legal advice.
I carry a lot of shame I've never told anyone about. Do you deal with that?
You can discuss shame and how it affects you. We agree the focus and pace. The shame guide describes examples of this work.
I feel guilty about something, even though I can't fix it now. Is that something to bring here?
We can explore the event, its consequences, your responsibility and how you want to act now. The guilt guide explains this work.
Confidentiality and privacy
Is it confidential?
I explain confidentiality and its limits before sessions begin. Relevant material may be discussed in clinical supervision. Information may need to be shared for serious safety concerns or legal requirements; where possible, I discuss this with you. The privacy notice explains how information is used.
Will my GP find out?
I do not routinely contact your GP. Information may need to be shared in the circumstances explained in the confidentiality agreement, including serious safety concerns or legal requirements.
I worry someone will see me going to therapy.
We can discuss online or telephone appointments and practical privacy arrangements. I cannot guarantee you will not meet someone you know when attending in person.
How long it takes
How long will it take?
We agree the frequency and review the work. There is no fixed timetable for an outcome. Single-session therapy is a separate format focused on one agreed concern.
How soon will I notice a difference?
I cannot promise a timetable. We discuss what you want to change and review how sessions are affecting you.
Is there a minimum number of sessions I have to commit to?
No. PAYG lets you book one conversation at a time. If you choose a plan, we agree the number and dates beforehand, and you can still stop. The payment and cancellation policy explains refunds.
Is this different from talking to a mate?
How is this different from talking to a mate?
Counselling is a booked professional relationship with an agreed focus, fees and confidentiality arrangements. Friendship is a different relationship; one does not have to replace the other.
How is this different from a men's group like Andy's Man Club?
This practice offers individual counselling. Peer groups offer a different setting and support from other participants. Check directly with a group about how it operates.
If you've tried therapy before
I've tried therapy before and it didn't work. Why would this be different?
We can discuss what did not work previously, what you want now and how I approach sessions. A different experience cannot be guaranteed.
I started therapy once but stopped. Is that held against me?
We discuss your current circumstances and what you want from sessions. You can also talk about why you stopped and anything you would want to do differently.
Services, fees and access
What happens on the free welcome call?
The welcome call is free. We discuss your enquiry, questions and availability. It is not a therapy session, and any appointment is agreed separately.
Do you only work with men?
Private practice is male-focused - it's the work this practice is built for. Women are welcome too: many book to better understand or support a partner, father, brother or son. The workplace and consultancy services support whole teams regardless of gender.
What if I need help right now?
This practice is not a crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. Samaritans is available on 116 123. In England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for urgent mental health help.
Online and telephone counselling
Do you work with men outside the North West?
Yes. I offer online and telephone counselling across the UK. My in-person consulting room is in Southport.
Is online therapy as good as being in the room?
We discuss whether online sessions fit your needs, privacy and access to a reliable connection. We review the format during the work. In-person appointments are available in Southport.
Do you have an office near me?
My consulting room is in Southport. I offer remote appointments elsewhere in the UK and do not have rooms in the other areas listed on this site.
What do I actually need for a session?
For video, a device with a camera and microphone, a reliable connection and somewhere private to speak. For telephone, a phone and a private space. We agree joining details and what to do if the connection fails.
Is it confidential if I am at home?
I explain confidentiality and its limits before sessions begin. Choose a space where others cannot overhear or interrupt. Headphones do not prevent people nearby from hearing your voice. Tell me if privacy at home is difficult.
What does online counselling cost?
The same as in person. £60 for a 50-minute conversation, £90 for 90 minutes, or £275 for 5 sessions paid upfront. There is no surcharge or reduction for working online, and the first welcome call is free.
Suicidal thoughts and suicide first aid
Will talking about suicidal thoughts make things worse?
Samaritans recommends asking directly about suicide when you are worried about someone. In a session, I will ask about what is happening and your immediate safety. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
What happens if I tell my counsellor I'm thinking about suicide?
I ask direct questions about what is happening and what support is needed. We discuss immediate safety and next steps. If there is a serious safety concern, information may need to be shared with an appropriate service. Where possible, I discuss that with you.
Is a Safe Plan the same as a no-suicide contract?
No. A safety plan records practical steps, contacts and support for a crisis. It is not a promise not to act on suicidal thoughts and does not replace emergency help.
What does ASIST-trained mean in practice?
ASIST is a two-day LivingWorks workshop covering suicide intervention and collaborative safety planning. I use that training within counselling. This practice is not an emergency or medical service.
Do I need to be in crisis to bring this up?
You can discuss current or past suicidal thoughts in counselling. If you need urgent help, use an urgent support service rather than waiting for an appointment or a reply from this practice.
Restorative Practice
Is restorative work here a meeting with the other person?
No. This is individual work. It does not arrange a meeting between parties or require contact with another person.
Isn't Restorative Practice just for offending or the justice system?
Here it is used within individual work to explore what happened, who was affected and what may be needed next. It is not a formal justice process or mediation service.
What's the difference between shame and guilt?
We can explore regret about an action and wider judgements about yourself. I use your description rather than requiring you to choose one label.
Can this help me repair a specific relationship?
We can explore your actions, responsibilities and boundaries. I cannot promise repair or another person’s response. Contact or reconciliation is not a requirement.
Do I need to have harmed someone to do this work?
No. We can discuss an event or a broader concern about responsibility, guilt or shame and agree the focus.
Fees and payment
How do I pay?
By bank transfer. Payments are not taken through this website, and nothing is set up to recur.
Do I have to pay for all my sessions upfront?
No. PAYG is available at £60 for 50 minutes or £90 for 90 minutes. The 30-day plan costs £220 for four conversations or £275 for five, paid in advance. Intensive work is £340 for four longer conversations. Maintenance is £110 monthly for two fortnightly conversations paid in advance, with no automatic renewal.
Do I have to commit to a number of sessions to start?
No. You can book one counselling session at a time and review the work as you go. Paying £275 upfront for 5 sessions does not commit you to attending all 5 either - if you stop, the unused balance is refunded. The published booking and cancellation terms apply.
How long can I use my session credit?
PAYG credits are available for 6 months from the first conversation in that booking. The 30-day plan has an agreed schedule within 30 days of the first full conversation. Intensive and maintenance dates are agreed in your working agreement. Contact me if circumstances prevent you using an appointment so we can discuss rearranging it or a refund.
What happens to unused sessions?
If you paid as you go, I refund unused pay-as-you-go credits at the amount you paid for each conversation. If you paid £275 upfront, I recalculate the sessions already provided at the standard £60 rate and refund what is left - never less than £0, and stopping early never leaves you owing anything. My cancellation terms still apply.
welcome call
What happens on the free welcome call?
Tell me what you want help with, and ask whatever you need to. The welcome call is for deciding whether to work together and is not a therapy session.
Do I have to book therapy after the call?
No. The call is for asking questions and working out whether you want to start. If you do, we arrange sessions separately afterwards.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly with me.
Do I have to commit to a set number of sessions?
No. You can book one session at a time at £60, or pay £275 upfront for 5 sessions if you already know you want some continuity. Neither is a commitment to finish a set number.
Is what I say confidential?
I explain confidentiality and its limits before sessions begin. Relevant material may be discussed in clinical supervision. Information may need to be shared for serious safety concerns or legal requirements; where possible, I discuss this with you.
Seafarers and offshore workers
Can I have a session on board or offshore?
We can discuss this before booking. You need a private space and a connection suitable for a video or phone call. Appointments can take place off duty or during work time with permission from your HR or welfare team, when you can step away from duties without affecting your rest time. Tell me your location and time zone so I can check whether I can provide conversations there. If these arrangements are not workable, we can discuss appointments during leave.
What if my crew change or shift pattern changes?
I understand that deployments, crew changes and shift patterns can move at short notice. Each conversation paid for in advance is held as a credit to use at a mutually practical time. Contact me as soon as you know your plans have changed so we can review your appointments and look for alternative dates, subject to availability. Credit validity and cancellation terms in our working agreement still apply.
Will you contact my employer or crewing agency?
I do not routinely send session information to your employer or crewing agency. Counselling has confidentiality limits, including safeguarding concerns, serious and imminent risk of harm, and disclosure required by law. I explain these before we start. Relevant session material may also be discussed anonymously in clinical supervision. The privacy notice explains how information is used.
Can you advise on my ENG1 or offshore medical?
I do not assess fitness for duty or decide medical certification. For an ENG1, ask an MCA-approved doctor. For an offshore medical, ask the doctor carrying out that assessment. Give the examiner accurate information and ask what you need to disclose. I cannot promise that counselling or a health condition will have no bearing on a medical assessment.
Do sessions have to be about work?
No. We agree what you want to work on. That might be a work issue, a relationship, bereavement, anxiety, alcohol or drug use, or something else you want to discuss.
Counselling appointments
Who will I see for counselling?
You will work with me, Chris Brotherton, throughout. The welcome call is a chance to ask about how I work, my training and when I am available.
What can I discuss in counselling?
We work out what you want to work on together. You can bring relationships, work, grief, anxiety, low mood, alcohol or drugs.
Can I choose video, telephone or in-person counselling?
Yes, where that format works for what you need and I have availability. Remote sessions are available across the UK, and in-person appointments are in Southport.
How do we decide how often to have counselling?
We talk about what you need and when you are free before booking, then see how often meeting makes sense as the work develops.
How do I arrange my first counselling appointment?
Start with a free welcome call. We talk about whether I can help with what you are bringing, what it costs, when we could meet and the working agreement, before arranging any sessions.
How I work
Do I have to choose a therapy approach before booking?
We discuss what you want to work on and how I might approach it. You can ask questions about any method or exercise.
What is the foundation of your counselling approach?
My work is grounded in person-centred therapy. Your experience and the focus we agree guide the conversation.
How do you use CBT and FACT in sessions?
I draw on my training to explore particular situations, thoughts, feelings and actions. Any exercise or work between sessions is discussed with you.
Does Restorative Practice mean contacting another person?
No. Individual restorative work can explore responsibility, impact and boundaries without contacting anyone else.
Can we change how we work during counselling?
Yes. We review the work and discuss changes to the focus or approach, including whether another service would be more suitable.
About Chris
What is your professional registration?
I am an Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and an Addiction Professionals Advanced Practitioner Member. The About page links to my professional register entries.
Where can I read about your qualifications?
The training and qualifications section on the About page lists my counselling qualification and further training.
Why do you focus your practice on men?
I focus on men because that is where I have chosen to build my private practice. I do not assume you will think, feel or communicate in a certain way just because you are a man. The point is focus, not a stereotype.
How do you decide which therapy approach to use?
We start with what you want help with, not with a therapy label. My foundation is person-centred, and I may draw on CBT, FACT or Restorative Practice where they fit what we are working on. You can ask about any of it, and we change it if it is not useful.
Can I speak to you before deciding to book therapy?
Yes. The free welcome call is for exactly that: ask about working together and check availability. Therapy appointments are agreed separately.
Contact and enquiries
What should I include in an appointment enquiry?
Include your name, how you would like me to reply, preferred appointment times and whether you want online, telephone or in-person sessions. A brief description is enough for an initial enquiry.
Should I send my full history in an enquiry?
Keep your initial message brief. We can discuss personal details in the appropriate setting after making contact.
Can I use the contact page to book an welcome call?
Yes. Choose the free welcome call button to open the calendar and select an available time.
How can I contact you about an existing appointment?
Use the contact details in your working agreement or the email and phone details on the contact page. The agreed cancellation terms apply.
Can I use an enquiry message for urgent mental health help?
This practice does not provide an urgent response service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. The Suicide First Aid page lists further urgent support.
Appointment locations
Where is your in-person consulting room?
My consulting room is in Southport. The other locations listed describe areas served remotely or places clients may travel from.
Do you have a consulting room in every listed location?
No. Southport is the only in-person location. Please check the relevant location page for how appointments are offered.
Can I have remote counselling elsewhere in the UK?
Yes. Online and telephone appointments are available across the UK, subject to suitability and availability.
When will I receive the appointment address or joining details?
We confirm the arrangements when agreeing your appointment. Ask if you need location or access information before deciding to book.
Can I change between remote and in-person appointments?
We can discuss a change of format, subject to suitability and availability. The booking and cancellation terms still apply.
Choosing a topic
Are the topic guides a diagnostic checklist?
No. They describe examples of concerns you can discuss in counselling. They do not diagnose a condition.
Can I bring more than one of the topics listed?
Yes. We discuss how the concerns relate to your circumstances and agree a focus for the work.
Can I ask about a concern that is not in the topic list?
Yes. Describe it briefly when enquiring so we can discuss whether I can offer suitable support.
Does each topic have a separate counselling fee?
No. The counselling session rate applies across these topics. Single-session therapy has its own fee.
Should I choose a topic before booking an welcome call?
You can describe what prompted the enquiry or ask about how counselling works. A topic label is not required.
Using the resources
Do I need an account to use the self-help activities?
The public worksheets and activities can be opened without an account.
Are the resources a replacement for counselling?
They are self-help materials. They do not provide an individual assessment or replace medical care or counselling.
Can I bring a completed activity to a session?
Yes. You can ask to discuss an activity or what you noticed while using it.
Do I have to complete worksheets before counselling?
No. Any work connected with your sessions is discussed and agreed with you.
What should I do if an activity feels too difficult?
Stop the activity and consider what support you need. You can discuss it in a session. Use urgent support services if there is an immediate safety concern.
Reading the articles
Are the blog articles individual therapy advice?
No. They are general information and commentary. They do not assess your circumstances or provide a diagnosis.
Can I ask about an article during counselling?
Yes. You can bring a question or a passage you want to discuss.
How do I find an article on a particular subject?
Use the search and topic filters on the blog page. The resource library also includes articles alongside guides and activities.
Do I need to read the blog before an appointment?
No. Reading the articles is optional.
Where should I look for appointment details rather than articles?
The Services and Fees pages explain appointments and prices. The Contact page lists ways to enquire or book an welcome call.
Partner information
How do I read more about an organisation listed here?
Open its profile to read the description and follow its website or contact links.
Does appearing on this page mean a service has space available?
No. Contact the organisation directly to check current availability, eligibility and any costs.
Do I book partner services through this practice?
Contact the organisation using the details in its profile. Appointments with this practice are arranged separately.
Are partner services covered by your working agreement?
Each organisation is responsible for its own services, terms and privacy information. Check those with the provider.
Can I suggest a correction to a partner profile?
Use the contact page to send the organisation name and the detail that needs checking.
Domestic abuse counselling
Can I ask for help if there has been no physical violence?
Yes. Threats, controlling behaviour, sexual pressure, emotional abuse and financial control can be reasons to seek support. A specialist adviser can help you consider what is happening.
Do I have to leave my partner before counselling?
No. You can speak with me without having decided whether to stay or leave. If you are at risk, a specialist domestic abuse service can help you consider safe options.
Is this couples counselling?
No. I work with you individually. Abuse requires attention to your safety rather than treating it as a shared communication problem.
Can I speak with you after the relationship has ended?
Yes. You can bring the effect the relationship has had on you, concerns about continuing contact or difficulty feeling safe. I will discuss whether my work fits the support you need.
How do I arrange a safe first conversation?
Before booking, consider whether messages or calendar notifications could be seen by someone else. Use a safe contact method and tell me what contact is safe for you. If you need urgent safety advice, contact a specialist service or the police rather than wait for my reply.
Anxiety counselling
Is what I’m feeling actually anxiety, or just stress?
A counselling conversation can explore what you are experiencing, but it is not a diagnosis. A GP can assess symptoms, including physical symptoms that need medical attention.
Do I need medication before I start counselling?
Medication is a question for your GP or prescriber. We can discuss counselling alongside any care you already receive.
How long does it take?
We agree how often to meet and review the work. I cannot give a reliable number of sessions before understanding your circumstances.
Will I have to talk about my childhood?
We discuss the parts of your history that are relevant to the work you want to do. You can ask about the purpose of any question.
What if I don’t know what’s causing it?
Describe what you have noticed, including when it happens and how it affects you. We can start there.
Anger counselling
Is anger something you can actually work on in counselling, or do I just need to calm down?
We can examine specific situations and responses and agree what you want to work on. I do not promise a particular result.
Will you tell me my anger is wrong?
We will distinguish the feeling from what you do. Actions and their impact are part of the discussion.
What if I’m worried I might hurt someone?
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not wait for a counselling appointment. We can discuss appropriate specialist support for concerns about harming others.
How is this different from an anger management course?
This is individual counselling, with a focus agreed with you. It is not a standard anger-management course.
Can we look at a recent argument in counselling?
Yes. We can discuss what happened, your response and its effect, then consider what you want to change.
Burnout counselling
I've had time off and I still feel the same. What's going on?
We can discuss what has changed and what has not. Persistent exhaustion or other health symptoms also warrant a conversation with your GP.
Do I need to quit my job to recover?
That is your decision. Counselling can help you examine options, practical constraints and what matters to you.
Can my employer find out I’m going?
I do not routinely contact employers. Confidentiality has limits, including safeguarding and legal requirements, which are explained before sessions.
How many sessions does burnout usually take?
We agree the frequency and review the work. There is no fixed recovery timetable I can promise.
Can we discuss boundaries around work?
Yes. We can examine specific demands, your options and the practical consequences of setting a boundary.
Addiction counselling
Do I have to admit I’m an addict before I can book?
You can describe your concerns in your own words. We discuss the work you want to do and whether I can provide it.
Is the goal always to quit completely?
Goals are discussed with you, alongside any medical advice. If you may be physically dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice before stopping suddenly.
What actually qualifies you to work on addiction specifically?
I hold a specialist qualification in drug and alcohol counselling and am an Addiction Professionals Advanced Practitioner Member. My training is listed on the About page.
Will you tell my family or employer?
I do not routinely contact family or employers. Confidentiality has safeguarding and legal limits, explained before we start.
Does addiction counselling include medical withdrawal care?
No. Speak to your GP or local drug and alcohol service about withdrawal care. The coaching programme is also separate from medical treatment.
Relationship problems counselling
Is this the same as couples counselling or mediation?
No. This is individual counselling for you. Your partner or former partner does not attend, and it is not mediation or legal advice.
Can I come if the relationship is not over yet?
Yes. You can start while you are still in the relationship, including while you are deciding what to do. We can work with it as it stands.
What if the relationship ended a long time ago?
That is still worth bringing. A relationship that ended years ago can still be shaping how you trust people, what you expect of yourself, or how the next one is going.
Will you take my side?
I will listen to your account of it and ask questions about it. I am not going to decide who was right, and I won’t make judgements about someone who is not here and cannot answer.
What if I am the one who caused the damage?
If there are things you regret or wish you had handled differently, we can look at them honestly without making that the whole story of who you are. We can understand what happened, what effect it had and what you want to do differently now. Repair may or may not be possible, and it is not something counselling can demand from another person.
What if something was done to me?
It belongs here, whether or not it was physical and whether or not you have ever called it harm. That includes partner violence or abuse, and rebuilding trust in yourself and your own judgement afterwards. We go at whatever pace works for you.
Will counselling save my relationship?
I cannot promise what will happen between two people. Counselling can help you understand what is happening, communicate more clearly and work out what you want to do next. The other person’s choices remain theirs.
Can I discuss contact with a former partner?
We can explore your choices and boundaries. Counselling does not decide legal arrangements and does not require contact or reconciliation.
What if there are children involved?
We can discuss your concerns as a parent. Counselling does not determine child arrangements and does not replace legal or safeguarding advice.
Shame counselling
How do I know if it's shame, or just low mood?
We can discuss the experience without first choosing a label. A GP can assess persistent low mood or other health concerns.
Is this only for something I've actually done wrong?
No. The work can concern an experience, a relationship or how you judge yourself. We start with what you describe.
Will talking about it make it worse?
Discussing painful material can be difficult. We agree a pace, review how the work affects you and discuss further support if needed.
What actually qualifies you to work with this?
My foundation is person-centred counselling, with a Level 5 Diploma in CBT (CPCAB) and further training in Restorative Practice and FACT. See the About page for training and registration details.
Do I have to tell you everything about a shameful experience at once?
We discuss the focus and pace. You can begin with how the experience affects you now.
Guilt counselling
Isn't guilt just something I should get over?
We can examine what the guilt concerns and how it affects your life now. There is no instruction to simply put it aside.
What if what I feel guilty about can't be fixed?
We can discuss the loss or consequences, your responsibility and how you want to act from here. Not every consequence can be changed.
Is this the same as confession, or being told I'm forgiven?
No. I do not grant forgiveness or decide what another person should feel. We examine your experience and choices.
How is guilt work different from working on shame?
We can discuss both regret about an action and broader judgements about yourself, using your own description rather than insisting on a distinction.
Will guilt work require me to apologise to someone?
No. We consider your circumstances and responsibilities. Contact with another person is not a requirement.
Low Confidence counselling
Isn't low confidence just how some people are?
We can explore particular situations and experiences rather than treating confidence as a fixed description of you.
Will this turn me into someone loud and pushy?
We agree your aims. The work does not require you to adopt a different personality or style.
How is this different from a confidence-building course?
This is individual counselling, based on your circumstances. It is not a set course or presentation-skills programme.
Isn't this the same as self-esteem?
The terms overlap in everyday language. We can discuss both how you feel about a particular task and how you see yourself more broadly.
Can we focus on confidence in one particular situation?
Yes. We can use a specific example, such as speaking at work or setting a boundary, to agree the focus.
Low Self-Esteem counselling
Isn’t this just confidence by another name?
We can discuss both confidence in a particular situation and your broader view of yourself. You do not need to choose one label.
Will counselling make me arrogant?
That is not an aim I set for you. We discuss what you want to change and what that would look like in your life.
What if my self-esteem issues come from something specific - a parent, a relationship?
We can explore that experience and its effect on how you see yourself now. I will not assume that one relationship explains everything.
How long does this kind of work usually take?
We agree appointments and review progress. I cannot promise a set number of sessions.
Can we discuss how I respond to criticism?
Yes. We can explore a recent example, what it meant to you and how you responded.
Trauma counselling
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis before I can talk to someone about this?
You can enquire without a diagnosis. A qualified health professional can assess possible PTSD and advise on treatment.
Do you use EMDR or other trauma-specific therapies?
I do not offer EMDR. We discuss my counselling approach and whether specialist trauma treatment would be more appropriate.
What if I don't want to talk about the details of what happened?
Tell me that at the outset. We can discuss your current needs and the boundaries you want for the conversation.
Will this bring things up that make it worse before it gets better?
I cannot predict how a session will affect you. We review the pace and discuss other support if the work is not appropriate.
What if it happened a long time ago - does that matter?
You can enquire about an earlier experience. We discuss its current effect and the support you need.
Depression counselling
How do I know if this is depression or just a rough patch?
A GP can assess depression. We can discuss your experience, including how long it has lasted and its impact, without making a diagnosis here.
Do I need medication?
Discuss medication with your GP or prescriber. Do not change prescribed treatment on the basis of this page.
I became a dad recently and I don't feel connected. Is that depression?
A change in mood after becoming a parent is something to discuss with your GP or health visitor. Counselling can also explore your experience of parenthood.
What if I'm not sure it's bad enough to justify counselling?
You can enquire about what you are experiencing. We discuss suitability and the support available.
How long does it usually take to feel different?
I cannot promise a timetable. We agree a focus, review sessions and consider other care where needed.
Grief & Bereavement counselling
Is it normal to still be struggling years later?
You can seek counselling about a loss that happened years ago. We discuss its place in your life now.
What if I feel things I'm not supposed to feel - relief, anger, guilt?
You can describe those feelings in counselling. We explore what they mean to you without prescribing how you should feel.
I don't cry much. Does that mean I'm not grieving properly?
Crying is not a requirement for counselling. You can describe your experience in the way that works for you.
What if the loss wasn't a death - a relationship, a job, a version of my future?
Yes. We can discuss a separation, loss of work, health changes or another loss that matters to you.
Do I need to bring photographs or belongings to a grief session?
No. You can ask to bring something if you want to discuss it, but there is no requirement.
Loneliness counselling
Isn't loneliness just something you fix by being more sociable?
We can look at the kind of connection you want and what would make that easier. More social activity is not a goal I assume for you.
Can counselling actually help with loneliness, or do I just need more friends?
Counselling can provide a place to examine relationships and choices. It does not replace friendship or community contact.
What if I don't think I'm the type to open up to people?
We can discuss what feels difficult about speaking with someone and how you want sessions to proceed.
Is this really a 'counselling' issue, or should I just try harder socially?
You can bring loneliness to counselling. We discuss your circumstances and the support or practical changes you want to explore.
Can we discuss feeling lonely within a relationship?
Yes. We can explore the kind of connection you want and your experience of the relationship.
Career & Redundancy counselling
Isn't this more of a career coaching issue than counselling?
Counselling focuses on the personal effect, the decisions you face and how you want to respond. CV writing, job search strategy and employment advice are separate services.
I feel embarrassed even bringing this up. Is that normal?
Redundancy can affect confidence, identity and how you think other people see you. You can describe that without having to justify why it matters.
What if it wasn't redundancy - just a career I've fallen out of love with?
We can discuss dissatisfaction, retirement, a planned change or a decision to leave as well as redundancy.
Can counselling help while I am still waiting for a redundancy decision?
Yes. We can work with the uncertainty, the effect on daily life and the choices currently within your control.
Does counselling include CV writing or job placement?
No. This service focuses on your experience, relationships and decisions. I can help you distinguish that work from practical career or employment support.
Finding Purpose counselling
I don't have a specific problem - is this still for me?
Yes. We can begin by discussing what prompted your enquiry and what you would like to explore.
Is this the same as a life coach?
This is counselling with an NCPS Accredited Registrant. We agree a focus that may include decisions, feelings and your relationships.
What if I can't explain what's wrong on the first call?
You can describe what prompted the call or ask questions about counselling. We can discuss the next step from there.
Can we discuss a change in what matters to me?
Yes. We can explore your priorities and the decisions or relationships affected by that change.
Do I need a long-term goal for counselling about purpose?
We can begin with the questions you have now and agree what you want to explore.
Fatherhood counselling
Can I ask about counselling before my baby is born?
Yes. You can talk with me about becoming a father, your concerns and what you want to prepare for.
Can I discuss being a dad after separation?
Yes. We can discuss how separation affects you as a father and the relationship you want with your child. Counselling does not replace legal advice about arrangements.
Does feeling low after becoming a dad mean I have depression?
Feeling low does not by itself confirm depression. If it persists or affects daily life, speak to your GP or health visitor. We can also discuss whether counselling fits the support you want.
Do I need to attend with my partner?
No. This is one-to-one counselling for you. We can discuss your relationships without your partner attending.
Can I choose phone or video appointments?
Yes. Phone and video appointments are available across the UK, subject to availability. In-person appointments are in Southport.
Self-talk counselling
Does harmful self-talk mean I have a mental health condition?
Self-criticism alone does not establish a diagnosis. We can explore how it affects you in counselling. If persistent low mood or other symptoms concern you, speak with your GP as well.
Will you tell me to think positively?
I will work with the account you bring. We can consider a more accurate and useful response without requiring you to praise yourself or dismiss something difficult.
Can we discuss how I speak to myself after an argument?
Yes. We can examine the argument, your actions and the judgement you made afterwards. Taking responsibility and attacking your whole character are different things.
What if I understand the thought is unfair but still believe it?
You can bring that difficulty to counselling. We can look at when the thought returns, what gives it weight and how you respond. Recognising a pattern does not mean it changes immediately.
Can I try a practical exercise before booking?
Yes. Choose one recent event and use the CBT thought record linked above. Notice the facts, your interpretation and a fairer alternative. You can discuss what you noticed if you decide to contact me.
Counselling in Southport
Do I have to come in person?
No. Online sessions run by secure video or phone, and in-person appointments are in Southport. You can mix the two, or start with one and change later.
Will I run into anyone I know?
I cannot guarantee that you will not meet someone you know. We can discuss privacy arrangements and the option of online or telephone appointments.
How much does an hour of counselling cost?
The current options include PAYG at £60 for 50 minutes, a £275 five-conversation plan and longer intensive work. The full Fees page shows every current option and the booking terms.
Can I get evening or weekend sessions?
Yes. Weekday evenings run to 8pm, with Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots. In-person evening slots go first because there are fewer of them, so the free welcome call is the quickest way to see what is genuinely open.
What should I check before travelling to my appointment?
Confirm the Southport address, appointment time and any access requirements with me before travelling. The location named on this page does not imply another consulting room.
Counselling in Formby
Does the welcome call commit me to counselling?
No. You can ask questions, tell me what you would like help with and decide whether to work with me. There is no obligation to book counselling afterwards.
Will I run into people I know?
I cannot guarantee that you will not meet someone you know. We can discuss online or telephone appointments if that is a concern.
What does it cost?
Counselling costs £60 per 50-minute session, whether online or in person, or £275 for 5 sessions paid upfront. See the Fees page for booking and cancellation terms.
Can I ask about appointment arrangements before booking?
Yes. Use the free welcome call or contact details to ask about the format, location and availability before agreeing an appointment.
Counselling in Liverpool
Do you do evenings or weekends?
Yes. Weekday evenings to 8pm, Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots. An online evening session costs you the hour it takes and nothing either side of it.
Is online counselling actually as good?
We discuss whether online sessions fit your needs, privacy and connection. We review the format during the work. In-person appointments are available in Southport.
Counselling in Ormskirk
I work on a farm / on the tools - are there sessions outside 9 to 5?
Yes. Weekday evenings to 8pm, Saturday mornings and Sunday slots exist, and online sessions remove the travel time entirely. The free welcome call is the quickest way to find a time that actually fits.
Counselling in Preston
Do you do evenings or weekends?
Yes. Weekday evenings run to 8pm, with Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots. Online sessions do not have to sit at the same time each week.
Counselling in Ainsdale
Can I get evening or weekend sessions?
Yes. Weekday evenings to 8pm, Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots. Ainsdale is one stop up the line from the room, so a late in-person slot and online sessions the rest of the time is a workable mix.
Counselling in St Helens
Do you do evenings or weekends?
Yes. Weekday evenings to 8pm, Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots, and online sessions do not need to sit at the same time each week. If you work a rota, bring it to the free welcome call.
Counselling in Prescot
Do you do evenings or weekends?
Yes. Weekday evenings to 8pm, with Saturday mornings and some Sunday availability. Bring the shape of your week to the free welcome call rather than trying to work it out from a page.
Counselling in Knowsley
Do you do evenings or weekends?
Yes. Weekday evenings to 8pm, Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots. Availability shifts week to week, so the free welcome call is the only reliable way to know what is actually free.
Counselling in Burnley & Pendle
I work shifts. Can you actually fit around that?
Usually, yes. Weekday evenings run to 8pm, Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots exist, and online sessions do not need to be at the same time every week. Bring your rota to the Q&A call and we can look at it properly.
I am already on an NHS waiting list. Should I wait?
That is your call and both can run alongside each other. You can start here to have somewhere to put it while you wait, then take the NHS place when it comes. Nothing here requires you to give up your position in a queue.
Is online counselling really going to do anything?
We discuss what you want to work on and whether online counselling is a suitable format. We review its usefulness during sessions rather than assuming an outcome.
Who else can I talk to locally, for free?
Andy’s Man Club runs free weekly peer groups for men and needs no referral - it can be used alongside counselling or instead of it. Their groups page at andysmanclub.co.uk/groups lists what is currently running and is the place to find your nearest. Samaritans and CALM are there any time.
Counselling in Cheshire East
I travel for work. Can session times move around?
Yes. Online sessions do not have to be the same slot every week, and they can happen from a hotel room or a parked car as easily as from home. What matters is that you are somewhere private and not about to be interrupted.
Can I be seen outside working hours?
Weekday evenings run to 8pm, with Saturday mornings and some Sunday slots. Availability changes, so the free welcome call is the quickest way to find out what is actually open.
How soon could I start?
Ask about current appointment availability on the welcome call. We agree suitability, the working agreement, payment and the appointment before sessions begin.
What if I am not sure online is right for me?
Then the first session or two will tell us. I would rather find out early that it does not suit you than have you push through something that is not working. Nothing here commits you to a block of sessions.
Counselling in Wirral
Is online counselling private if I live in a small place?
Choose a space where you can speak without being overheard or interrupted. Tell me if this is difficult. Confidentiality and its limits are explained before sessions begin.
Do I need good broadband for this to work?
Not especially. Video works on an ordinary home connection or a phone signal, and if the picture becomes a distraction the session can carry on by voice. Sound matters far more than picture quality.
Can I have sessions during the working day?
Yes, if that is what fits - a lunch break, a gap between jobs, or the evening once the house is quiet. Bring your week to the free welcome call and we can find something that holds.
What happens on the free welcome call?
You say what is going on, I say whether I think I can help, and we work out whether the format suits you. There is no assessment to pass and no obligation at the end of it. If I am not the right fit, I will say so.
Counselling in Greater Manchester
Why would I work with someone outside Greater Manchester?
Mostly you would not need to, and I would say so. Where it makes sense is if you want a counsellor who works specifically with men, or you would rather the person you talk to is not part of the same city you live and work in. If neither applies, someone local is a perfectly good answer.
Do you work with men in Manchester city centre as well as the boroughs?
Yes. Online has no catchment, so the city centre, the ten boroughs and the towns between them are all the same to me. Where you are matters far less than whether you have somewhere private to talk.
Can we do a session from the office?
If you have a room with a door that shuts and nobody walking in, yes. A booked meeting room works, so does a car in the car park. What does not work is an open-plan desk with headphones, because you will manage the room instead of the session.
How long do people usually work with you?
It varies widely and I would rather not pretend otherwise. A single session to get clear on one decision is an option; so is working over several months. Sessions can be booked one at a time, or as a block of five paid upfront.
What if I need someone in person later on?
Then that is worth doing, and I will help you look. Starting online does not commit you to staying online, and it does not make it harder to move to someone local afterwards.
Counselling in Chester & Cheshire West
Chester is a small place. How private is this really?
We discuss privacy arrangements for remote sessions. I explain how information is used, clinical supervision and the limits of confidentiality before we begin. Your surroundings need to allow a private conversation.
Do you take clients from north Wales?
Online has no border, so practically yes. The pages on this site cover England because that is where the work is concentrated, not because anywhere else is excluded.
What if my partner wants to come too?
This is one-to-one work rather than couples therapy, so no. If the relationship is the main issue, a couples counsellor is the better fit and I will say so on the call.
Do you keep a record of what I say?
Brief notes only, encrypted and identified by initials. They exist so the work has continuity between sessions, not as a file on you, and you can ask what is in them.
How much does the first conversation cost?
The welcome call is free and there is no obligation attached to it. It exists so neither of us commits to something that is not going to work.
Counselling in Blackpool & the Fylde
My work is seasonal. Can I start and stop?
Yes. Pay-as-you-go exists for exactly this, with no commitment beyond the session booked. Blocks are the thing to avoid if your year comes in waves, since unused sessions expire.
Can I do a session on a day off rather than an evening?
Daytime slots exist and are often easier to get than evenings, which are the most contested. Worth asking on the free welcome call rather than assuming evenings are the only option.
What if I am not sure I can afford it?
Check the Fees page before booking and ask about costs on the welcome call. You can also ask your GP or local services about publicly funded support.
Do you work with men in recovery?
Yes. Addiction work is part of the background here rather than an add-on, though counselling sits alongside recovery support rather than replacing it.
Is it awkward on a phone rather than video?
A lot of my work happens on the phone by choice. Whether a call or a video session suits you better is worth trying rather than deciding in advance.
Counselling in Blackburn & Darwen
What happens if I have to cancel?
Cancel with at least 48 hours notice in writing and the fee is refunded in full. Inside 48 hours it is not, because the time was held for you and cannot be filled at short notice.
Can I pay weekly rather than in advance?
Each pay-as-you-go session is paid before it happens, so in practice yes - you are paying week by week rather than committing to a block. Blocks are the option that requires payment up front.
Is there anything you will not work with?
Active crisis needs a different kind of help than weekly counselling, and I will say so rather than take it on. Couples work and under-18s are also outside what I offer.
What if I want to change counsellor later?
Then you should, and it does not need to be a difficult conversation. Fit matters more than loyalty, and I would rather help you find someone who works than keep you out of politeness.
Counselling in North Wales
Do you offer sessions in Welsh?
No. Sessions are in English only, and I would rather say that plainly here than let you find out on the call. If you would rather work in Welsh, that is a good reason to look for a Welsh-speaking counsellor locally, and it will make the work better rather than merely more comfortable.
Does being in Wales change anything practically?
Not for private counselling. NCPS registration covers the whole of the UK and the terms here are the same wherever you live. What differs is the NHS, which is run separately in Wales, so any waiting list you are on there is a different queue from an English one.
I live in Flintshire but work in Chester. Which page applies?
Either, and it makes no difference to what happens. There is a Chester page because people search that way, but the sessions, the price and the format are identical whichever side of the border you count yourself on.
The signal where I live is unreliable. Is that a problem?
Tell me before booking. Video and telephone both need a reliable connection. We discuss the format and agree what to do if a call drops; an alternative arrangement may be needed.
Counselling in London
Does the fee change because I am in London?
The published counselling fee is the same for online and in-person appointments. There is no separate London rate.
I share a flat. Where else could I take a session?
What if I move flat or change job part way through?
Nothing changes. There is no catchment area to fall outside of and no transfer to arrange - the work carries on wherever you end up, including outside London entirely.
My university offers free counselling. Should I use that first?
If your university offers free counselling and it fits what you need, it may be worth using. Check what it offers, including any session limits or eligibility rules. If it does not fit what you need, this is another option.
Further guidance
These answers describe how I work. For medical information, NHS services and professional standards, you can check the guidance below.
Still have a question?
Use the contact page to send a brief enquiry or arrange a free welcome call. You can also check fees, cancellation terms and how I handle your information. For urgent support, use the contacts on the suicide first aid page.