Approximately one in four of us will suffer some form of mental health illness during our lifetime.

There is stigma around mental health issues which has a negative impact on both employer and employee. For the employee, because shame and an inability to be open means that it is harder for them to get help, and therefore problems persists and worsen. For the employer, because they may end up discriminating against highly capable employees at the recruitment stage or during employment by not supporting staff. Furthermore, by failing to support employees they fail to get the best out of them in the workplace.

Where organisations have provided support for staff with mental health problems the outcomes have been positive all round. Employees are able to take time off as and when it is necessary without feeling uncomfortable. Their workload and responsibilities can be managed in order to support their needs and in so doing, they will be more productive, useful members of staff.  Most importantly, their illness is not compounded because of concerns about what their colleagues might be thinking.

As a qualified counsellor I am able to work with employees struggling with experiencing personal issues whether or not there are specific work related aspects involved. A series of Thoughtful Conversations, allowing the individual to talk about their problems in a trusting, safe environment is a highly effective way of helping people to deal with periods of depression, stress, anxiety or panic attacks.

I can work with employees for a pre-agreed number of session or on an open ended basis. Meetings are weekly and 50 minutes each at an agreed, regular time.

You are your own universe.
You are unique in all of existence.

We have known each other for a tiny fraction of the time that you have been alive.  How can I know what brings you to counselling?

All I can tell you now is that I am willing and committed to go with you wherever your exploration takes you as you learn about yourself and as you form and follow the path to who you want to be.

If that exploration takes you into the darkest places or parts of you, the most frightening or loathsome, I will try my very best to be alongside you.

I will do my very best not to judge you but to accept you whatever you tell me. 

I will do my very best to listen as well as I can, and try to understand exactly how you feel.