Counselling in
Brighton & Hove

Counselling for Anxiety

Anxiety, like a persistent shadow, can follow us through our days, casting doubt over our steps and clouding our minds with worry. In my counseling sessions, we embark on a journey together to understand the language of your anxiety. It’s not just about managing symptoms; it's about delving into the narrative of your anxiety, listening to its story, and understanding its roots. We explore the unique ways it weaves into your daily life in Brighton, from the moment you wake up to the bustling crowds on the pier or the quiet solitude of your home.

Our sessions are a space where your anxieties are not just heard, but truly listened to. It's a place where you can unburden yourself of the weight of unspoken fears and tangled thoughts. Together, we gently unravel the threads of your experience, finding patterns, and exploring new perspectives. It’s about creating a space where you can breathe a little easier, find clarity amidst the chaos, and begin to see your world in a different light.

The approach I take is not one-size-fits-all; it is as varied and dynamic as the people who walk the streets of Brighton. Whether you find peace by the shore or solace in the quiet corners of the Lanes, our sessions are tailored to resonate with you. We may incorporate a range of techniques, from mindfulness to cognitive-behavioral strategies, all depending on what suits you best.

a bridge, symbolising counselling crossing into better times
a bridge, symbolising counselling crossing into better times
a lighthouse symbolising addiction counselling
a lighthouse symbolising addiction counselling

Addiction Counselling

The journey through addiction counseling is not merely about cessation but about discovering and addressing the underlying issues that fuel addictive behaviors. It's a process of peeling back layers, uncovering hidden wounds, and confronting unhealed traumas. We work together to untangle the knots of addiction, learning to understand its triggers and finding healthier, more sustainable ways to cope.

As we tread this path, we focus on empowerment and self-discovery. Addiction often takes away the sense of control and agency, and part of our work is to reclaim that. You will learn to recognize your strengths, to harness them in service of your recovery. Our sessions are tailored to your individual needs, incorporating a variety of therapeutic approaches, from cognitive-behavioral techniques to mindfulness practices, always aligning with what resonates most with you.

Recovery from addiction is a journey of transformation, often challenging, but also filled with potential for growth and self-realization. It's about building a life where you are not just surviving without addiction, but thriving beyond it. In the therapeutic space we create together, you are not defined by your addiction; you are seen as a whole person, deserving of compassion and capable of profound change.

Counselling for Stress

In this safe space, your experiences of stress are not merely acknowledged; they are deeply explored and understood. It's about discovering the unique contours of your stress and what triggers it, how it manifests in your body and mind, and how it weaves its way through your daily life. We delve into the narrative of your stress, listening attentively to its story, and understanding its origins.

My approach to managing stress is as individualised as the patterns of your life. It's not just about coping strategies, but about identifying and addressing the root causes of your stress. Together, we examine your life's complexities, from work pressures to personal challenges, unraveling the threads that contribute to your stress. We explore ways to untangle these threads, seeking to bring clarity and calm to your mind.

We may employ a range of therapeutic techniques, tailored to suit your needs and preferences. This could include mindfulness practices to ground you in the present moment, cognitive-behavioral strategies to reshape unhelpful thought patterns, or relaxation techniques to soothe your nervous system. It's about equipping you with the tools to not only navigate through stressful times but to emerge stronger and more resilient.

a pathway to symbolise stress relief from counselling
a pathway to symbolise stress relief from counselling

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there” Rumi

When I read this extract of Rumi’s poem if feels to me that it encapsulates therapy in such a beautiful way. For me therapy is the process of engaging in the field of presence with one and other. Presence is that quality of being that supports a growing sense in us that we matter, our voices matter and can be heard and our history has value, and yet, there is more, there is a feeling of being seen in an environment where empathy thrives, where the non-judgmental and congruent space brings a sense of support and potential healing.

The possibility of being met where you are creates a sense of cohesion and openness that is dynamic in its own way, travelling deeper and yet without a sense of being in a hurry, we can take the time needed to discover the map of you and to reconnect once again to your north star, a part of us that gets lost when there is conflict, trauma, depression, anxiety and so many other difficulties in life and the coping mechanisms that we develop throughout it to feel safe and keep going.

In the humanistic tradition, which I practice, the core standing point is that we are all essentially good and that because life happens, we develop defences that helps us to protect ourselves; therapy can offer you a space to understand these places in you and the mechanisms you developed, and little by little discover that underneath it all, your essential being is there, waiting for you and that all you have learnt and experienced in life adds to your potential…working through the post-traumatic distress we can find the growth that becomes treasure and bounty.

It is indeed a process, and the therapeutic relationship is the perfect companion to travel the territories of the inner life and how it manifests in the outer world. We are indeed individuals and in therapy we work together and connect with what you bring, what is important to you, your struggles and your triumphs, your curiosity and your disbeliefs, everything is welcome.

With this in mind, it is also important to note can that we are affected by the systems we belong and the impact this conditioning has had in how our life has developed, in therapy this exploration can create a deeper sense of understanding and a reconnection with our autonomy.

I work with you and your experience, I have been working with therapy, in many modalities for over 10 years and bring with me a depth of experience of working with people from all walks of life. I offer an inclusive space and have experience working with many issues, to name a few, depression, anxiety, loss of meaning, gender identity, body dysmorphia, feelings of isolation and non-belonging, trauma, relationship issues, stress, work related conflicts, addictions, outdated belief systems, social anxiety, parenting, etc.

I offer a 20 min free consultation call and I am very much looking forward to meeting you