INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMATIVE COUNSELLING IN BIRMINGHAM AND ONLINE

Frequently asked questions

What is relational therapy?

I work from a relational perspective. This means that the therapeutic relationship is at the very heart of how we work together. The idea behind this is that if our pain or hurt has occurred in relationships then it can also be healed in relationships. This type of therapy features in a number of therapeutic modalities. In Gestalt therapy it can be called dialogue, in which the therapist endeavours to be as authentic and genuine as possible and encourages you to do the same. In relational therapy there is emphasis on recognising the therapist as another complex person in the room, with their own flaws, ideas, motivations and humanity. With this as a base point, we can face pains, pitfalls and triumphs as they arise in our sessions, and then translate these experiences to relationships in the world outside our sessions. Relating to one another is not something we are commonly taught to do and yet it is natural in life for some of our greatest joys to come from the various relationships we share with others, as well as some of the greatest pains. By understanding new ways of relating through relational therapy, we can begin to understand ourselves more deeply and re-write our relational patterns.

What is integrative therapy?

I have training in a mix of different modalities of therapy, and I use a combination of them depending on what works for my clients, creating a unique approach that is highly specified to each individual person. I have training in and utilise Gestalt therapy, psychodynamic therapy (attachment focused) and CBT.

How much does therapy cost?

The cost per session is offered on a sliding scale, normally between £75 and £90. I offer some concessionary rates for those in financial hardship and those who experience systemic oppression. Please contact me for more details.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

People often find therapy useful if they are feeling stuck, or if patterns of emotions or behaviour feel hard to change. Difficulties in managing relationships and regulating emotions often lead people to seek support in therapy. Some people simply need space outside of their day-to-day life to explore what is happening. The fact that you are here, reading this, suggests it may be worth us having a conversation to work out what might be helpful for you.

What issues can therapy help with?

I work with clients experiencing a wide range of different problems, challenges and areas they would like to focus upon. These include:


Abuse

Anger

Anxiety

Attachment issues

Addiction

Chronic health conditions

Cultural identity

Depression

Disassociation

Gender identity

Sexual identity

Self confidence

Self-harm

Relationship challenges

Relationship diversity (polyamory/non-monogamy)

Trans identities

Trauma

Workplace difficulties

Low mood

Low self-esteem

Sex work

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, confidentiality is an important aspect of the work we will do together in therapy. Having a space away from other people to share whatever comes to mind is central to the process. There are some limitations, such as what happens if you are at risk of harm to yourself or others, and how I receive supervision for my work as a therapist. We will have the chance to discuss these limitations when we begin working together.

What is LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy?

LGBTQ+ affirmative counselling is counselling that isn’t just LGBTQ+ or queer friendly but instead recognises the often complex nuances of being a member of this community. It recognises how homophobia, transphobia and structural violences affect mental health. It considers how existing and growing up in spaces that aren’t affirming can change our ways of thinking, being and behaving. This therapy knows that being queer, trans or LGBTQ+ is as natural and diverse as the natural world that surrounds us.

Do I have to be LGBTQ+ to work with you?

Not at all. I have experience working with people who are in the LGBTQ+ community as well as people outside of this community, and with people who are questioning their sexual, relational or gender orientation.

Do you work with friends/families and partners of trans/queer people?

Yes, if you are a friend or family member of a trans or queer person and you are struggling with this, coming to therapy can be an important step towards making helpful changes to your life and relationships.

What sort of accommodations or adaptations can you make?

This is highly individual and it is something we can discuss in our initial phone call or assessment sessions, or at any point throughout our work together. The following is not an exhaustive list, but to give some examples of accommodations and adaptations I can make, I can:

  • offer appointments every two weeks rather than weekly
  • accept payment in advance or on a monthly basis if administrative tasks are difficult
  • send reminders for sessions
  • offer flexibility if sessions need to be cancelled
  • offer phone calls/video appointments if working in-person is difficult.
What will happen when I begin in therapy?

Once you enquire via phone or email we will arrange to have a 20-minute initial phone call, which is a mutual assessment about our suitability to work together. If at this stage I think you may be better suited to a different therapist or specialty, I will signpost you to some other people. If we both decide to go ahead, we arrange an initial session together and we will agree a time at which we will meet each week. Your first paid session will be an opportunity a further mutual assessment in which we will think about what you might need from therapy and whether our work together will take place over a specified period or in an open-ended manner. 

How long will I be in therapy for?

Every person has different needs from therapy. The amount of time required to work with different issues and open up space for change is something that requires careful attention. I will work closely with you to ensure that you have the time you need, whether that turns out to be a short-term period of work over just a few weeks or a longer engagement spanning several months or years.

Is online therapy different from in-person therapy?

Working online differs from working face-to-face in various ways. For example, it means that many of the non-verbal ways in which we might communicate when sharing a physical space, such as body language and gestures, are not available to us. Working remotely also means that the challenges of travelling to and from therapy are no longer a barrier. The benefits and drawbacks of working remotely are something we can discuss if you think online therapy might be an option you want to explore.

What is the difference between counselling and therapy?

The terms 'counselling' and 'therapy' are often used interchangeably, and you will see both of them are used on this website to describe my work. They do have different meanings and implications in terms of my training and the ways in which I work with my clients.


While some practitioners are just trained as counsellors and others just as psychotherapists, my training blends the two and I am affiliated with both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).


When working with any counsellor or therapist, it is important that you have an understanding of how they approach their work. There are different approaches and modalities in both counselling and psychotherapy, and many of them overlap. Having a discussion with your counsellor or therapist about how they trained, what they specialise in and how they tend to work can help you to form a good working relationship with them.

Resources

Accessing mental health services and support is not always easy for members of marginalised groups, but thankfully there are some brilliant organisations working hard to provide care, education, and spaces where you can connect with others.


On this page you’ll find a selection of links to resources that my clients and I have found helpful. I am always looking to add more, so if you know of a resource I might want to signpost here, please contact me with the details.

Asexuality

If you experience little or no sexual attraction, or if you experience of sexual attraction doesn’t fit with other descriptions of sexuality, the following links might help you to explore asexuality and what it means to be an ‘ace’.

Bisexuality

Approximately 624,000 people in England and Wales identify as bisexual. That’s around 1.3 per cent of the population! If you want to find out more about bisexuality, which is by no means limited to the binary genders of male and female, the links below might be of interest.

Birmingham

Having practised as a therapist in Birmingham for a number of years, I can recommend the following local resources to people in the area.

Black, Indigenous and People of Colour

The resources below have been helpful to Black, Indigenous and People of Colour seeking inclusive, culturally responsive, intersectional mental health care and support.

Counselling & therapy directories

The following directories may be helpful if you are searching for an inclusive counsellor or a therapist who is based in the UK.

Domestic violence

If you or someone you know requires support or advice relating to domestic violence, the following UK-based organisations can help.

Friends and families

The following resources can help the friends and family members of LGBTQ+ people to support each other, share information, and strengthen the community against prejudice and discrimination.




Free/low cost therapy and counselling

You can find therapists who offer their services at more affordable rates at the following links. These rates are often made possible by services offered by supervised therapists in training or those on clinical placements.



Helplines

If you need telephone support, the links and phone numbers below will connect you with organisations who can provide care and guidance.




  • Call 116 123 (Samaritans)

Journaling

Journalling is a valuable mental health tool. The following links provide writing prompts and support to help you get your thoughts down on the page.


  • Jen Grayson: A Trans Journal Prompts Support - https://jengreyson.medium.com/a-trans-journal-prompts-support-c3026bb713d1


Mental health crises

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, or you are worried that you might be heading towards one, you can contact one of the following organisations for support.


  • Call 116 123 (Samaritans)



  • 0300 102 1234 (Mind Support Line)



Neurodiversity

Many LGBTQ+ people are also neurodivergent. The following resources can help people navigating these identities find information, understanding and acceptance.


Self-care

While community and external sources of support are vital, the following resources offer insights into steps we can take to build resilience and show care towards ourselves.

Substance use/drugs and alcohol

Issues around drugs, alcohol and other substances intersect with LGBTQ+ lives in particular ways. Support and understanding can be found through the resources below.

Sexual health

Inclusive sexual health care is a hugely valuable resource. If you have benefited from services in your area that does not feature on this list, please let me know!

Trans, non-binary and gender diverse people

Young people

Safe and inclusive spaces are important for LGBTQ+ young people. The following resources can help to provide connection, support and solidarity.