My Approach

The name of my practice, Velaris Counselling, derives from the Latin meaning you are covered. This is the atmosphere I try to foster in sessions. I endeavour to provide a secure space for you to be yourself without judgement.

One thing that makes me stand out is my commitment to client safety. This doesn't only mean the safety of data protection or secure video links, but emotional safety too. I encourage my clients to go through therapy at their own pace. I don't believe in 'pushing' people to discuss traumas unless they feel comfortable enough to do so, and I understand that sometimes trust is built over many sessions. I prioritise the emotional wellbeing of my clients, which involves honouring the length of sessions and providing safe endings. I will always let you know when we are near the end of a session, so we can wrap up in a safe way and leave you feeling secure to go about the rest of your day. 

I believe that every human being is unique. It is one of the miracles of life! I strive to honour the experiences of every individual that I work with. I don’t know what it is like to be you—only you do. My first question to new clients is: “what led to you seeking counselling?” The answer is different every time and that is the starting point for our work together.

Person-centred counselling was developed by the American humanist psychologist Carl Rogers (1902–1987) and today it is one of the main types of psychotherapy. This modality offers an alternative to the traditional expert-patient dynamic. Empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence lie at the heart of a person-centred approach. In practice, this means that I will strive to be honest with you. You will know going in what my polices about confidentiality are, and I will never claim to be competent in an area I am not. I work on the principle of 'what you see is what you get.' I am not hiding anything in sessions; this doesn't mean I make lots of personal disclosures, but instead it means that I am being my true self in the room with you. 

My ‘toolkit’ of knowledge allows me to draw on different techniques to help my clients, whilst remaining rooted in ethical practice. Counselling is centred around your needs, meaning you can request a session wholly dedicated to directive intervention, or we can integrate this into our talking sessions. There is no one way to 'do therapy' and I encourage my clients to explore what feels right for them. I will never impose a generic structure, because I aim to tailor sessions to the individual needs of every person I work with.

I have experience in:

• anxiety management techniques to help you feel calmer and more in control
• self-harm management techniques to help you regulate your emotions in a healthier way
• grounding exercises for trauma processing to help you stay in the present moment

I cannot provide you psychiatric treatment or advice, but I often work with clients who have received this elsewhere. If I feel that you may benefit from a higher level of care or a different therapy that I am not trained to deliver, I will communicate this to you when it is appropriate to do so. Next steps may involve writing a letter to your GP that we have worked on together, or making a referral to another therapist. I am part of an extensive network of private therapists, all of whom have their own specialities. My priority is the wellbeing of my clients at every stage of their journey, no matter where that journey takes them.

You may want to discuss:

• Anxiety
• Depression 
• Self-harm
• Bipolar (I or II)
• LGBTQIA+ 
• Relationships 
• Childhood 
• Sexual assault 
• Self-esteem 
• Intrusive thoughts
• Panic attacks
• Nightmares 
• Chronic stress 
• Dissociation 
• Perfectionism 

… but if you aren’t sure where to begin, that’s okay too.