What you can work on
Relationships are one of the main reasons men get in touch. You can bring conflict, separation, communication that keeps going wrong, a loss of trust, a decision you are weighing up, or no longer recognising yourself in a relationship.
This is individual counselling rather than couples counselling: the focus is you, what the relationship is bringing up and what you want to do next. Read the relationship counselling guide.
Conversations can also cover anxiety, low mood, anger, grief, redundancy and career change, alcohol or drugs and other difficulties affecting how you are living, feeling or relating to other people. We start with what has brought you here and work out what you want to work on.
Read the topic guides for examples of the work.
How I work
My work is grounded in person-centred therapy. That means we start from your account of what is happening, rather than from a method I have decided on in advance.
Where it helps, I can bring in more structured ways of working. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can give us a structured way to look at the thoughts, assumptions and habits that keep showing up, and whether there is another response you want to try. Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) can help when difficult thoughts or feelings keep pulling you into the same struggle, so we can get clearer about what matters and what you want to do next. Restorative Practice gives us another way to look at what happened, what people needed, what the effects have been and whether there is anything you want to repair or do differently. These are not stages you have to work through. We decide together what is useful.
Read about my approach or learn more about my training and experience.
Appointments and fees
Counselling costs £60 per 50-minute session pay as you go, or £275 for 5 sessions paid upfront, which works out at £55 a session. You are not required to book a set number either way. We agree how often to meet, and see how often meeting makes sense as the work develops.
- Online video sessions: join from a private space with a reliable connection.
- Telephone: agree a number and a private place to take the call.
- In person in Southport: appointments at the Southport consulting room.
See fees and booking terms before booking.
Brief therapy
Two shorter formats sit alongside ongoing counselling. Single-Session Therapy works one 50-minute conversation at a time, focused on an agreed concern, with further support available. It costs £95, with optional guided discovery beforehand and optional feedback around three weeks later. Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) runs as a short planned course, usually two to four sessions at £60 each.
Which fits is worked out on the free welcome call rather than chosen in advance.
Before sessions begin
We talk about whether I can help with what you are bringing, when we could meet, what it costs and the working agreement. The agreement explains confidentiality and how I handle your information, and when serious safety concerns or legal requirements may mean sharing information.
Ask about an appointment
Start with a welcome call to talk about what you want to work on, ask whatever you need to and check availability. It is not a therapy session.
Frequently asked questions
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.