Your Experience at Hark Therapy
What to Expect
Starting counselling can feel daunting, especially if you've never done it before. You might be wondering what actually happens in a session, whether you'll know what to say, or how it will all work. Let me walk you through what you can expect when you work with me.
A Compassionate, Safe Space
My aim is to lead with compassion and understanding, holding a space for you to share as and when you trust and feel comfortable in doing so. There's no pressure to disclose everything immediately, no expectation that you'll have it all figured out, and no judgment about where you are in your journey.
I am simply here to listen, guide, and walk alongside you in a safe and nurturing space. This is your time to be heard—really heard—perhaps in a way you haven't experienced before. You set the pace, you choose what we explore, and you decide how deep we go.
How I Work
I work ethically and confidentially, which means everything you share with me stays between us (except in rare circumstances where there's a serious risk of harm, which I would always discuss with you). You can trust that this is a private, protected space where your vulnerability will be met with care and respect.
I offer support for as long as you need—whether that's a few sessions to work through a specific issue, or longer-term therapy as you navigate more complex challenges. There's no set timeline, and we'll regularly review how things are going to ensure counselling continues to meet your needs.
Hark means ‘to listen’ & ‘pay close attention’
Hark means ‘to listen’ & ‘pay close attention’
An Integrative, Personalised Approach
My integrative, holistic approach allows me to use a range of counselling techniques and styles to best suit you. No two people are the same, which is why I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.
Some of the approaches I draw upon include:
Person-Centred Therapy - Placing you at the heart of our work together, respecting your own capacity for self-understanding and growth. This approach is built on empathy, genuine warmth, and unconditional positive regard for you as a person.
Psychodynamic Therapy - Exploring how past experiences and relationships might be influencing your current feelings and behaviours. This can help you understand patterns that might be keeping you stuck and gain insight into the root causes of your difficulties.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Looking at the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. CBT offers practical techniques and strategies to help you challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
I might also incorporate other therapeutic techniques depending on what will be most beneficial for your unique situation. The beauty of integrative counselling is that we can adapt our approach as your needs change and as our work together evolves.
What We'll Work Towards Together
By working together, you will hopefully gain a greater understanding and insight into the challenges that you're facing. Sometimes just making sense of what's happening can bring enormous relief. When feelings that seemed overwhelming and chaotic begin to make sense, they become more manageable.
You'll also learn techniques and strategies to help you deal with your difficulties—practical tools you can use in your daily life when things feel tough. These might include ways to manage anxiety, techniques for processing difficult emotions, strategies for setting boundaries, or methods for challenging negative thoughts.
With time, you will find solutions and ways to move forward with greater clarity and certainty. Counselling isn't about me giving you all the answers—it's about creating the space and support for you to discover your own answers, reconnect with your own inner wisdom, and build confidence in your ability to navigate life's challenges.
The Practical Details
Session Length - Standard counselling sessions are typically 50-60 minutes. This gives us enough time to really explore what's on your mind without feeling rushed.
Frequency - We'll discuss what works best for you, but most clients find weekly sessions helpful, especially at the beginning. As you progress, we might move to fortnightly sessions if that feels more appropriate.
Location Options - Choose what suits you best:
Face-to-face at my therapy room in Pure clinic, Alton
Online via secure video call
Telephone sessions
Confidentiality - Everything we discuss is confidential. I keep brief notes for my own records, which are stored securely and in line with GDPR requirements.
Consistency - I'll provide a consistent, reliable presence. Same time, same day each week (or fortnight) creates a sense of safety and routine that supports the therapeutic process.
Getting Started
The first step is simple and completely free of obligation.
Book Your Free 'Meet and Greet' Call
Get in touch to arrange a free of charge 20-minute 'Meet and Greet' telephone call. This is a relaxed, informal conversation—a chance for us to get to know each other and explore your needs and goals.
During this call, you can:
Tell me a bit about what's brought you to counselling
Ask any questions about how I work
Get a sense of whether we connect well
Discuss practical details like session format and scheduling
There's absolutely no pressure or commitment. This is simply an opportunity for you to see if counselling with me feels like the right fit.
Creating Your Session Schedule
If you decide that I am the counsellor for you, then we will work together to create a session schedule that works best for you. I understand that life is busy—especially if you're juggling work, family, and other commitments—so I aim to be as flexible as possible with appointment times.
We'll also discuss:
How often you'd like to meet
Which session format suits you best (face-to-face, online, or telephone)
Your goals for therapy
Any questions or concerns you have about the process
Your First Full Session
In our first proper counselling session, we'll take time to really explore what's brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together. I'll also explain more about how I work and answer any remaining questions you might have.
This first session is about building the foundation of our therapeutic relationship. There's no expectation that you'll dive into deep emotional work immediately—we'll move at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.
What If You're Still Unsure?
It's completely normal to feel uncertain or nervous about starting counselling. You might be asking yourself:
"Will talking really help?"
"What if I can't put my feelings into words?"
"Will I be judged?"
"What if I cry?"
Let me reassure you: all of these feelings are valid and incredibly common. You don't need to have everything figured out before you start. You don't need to be articulate or composed. You can absolutely cry (tissues are always available!). And you certainly won't be judged.
The beauty of that free initial call is that it gives you a chance to test the waters with no commitment. You might find that just having that first conversation helps you feel more comfortable about taking the next step.
You're Already on the Right Path
The fact that you're reading this and considering counselling shows real courage and self-awareness. You're acknowledging that you need support, and that's something to be proud of.
Whatever you're facing, you don't have to face it alone. I'm here, ready to listen, and genuinely hoping I can help.
Book Your Free Call | Email Me
Take that first step. You deserve support, and better days are possible.
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I support clients with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, grief and loss, life transitions, trauma, and many other challenges. If you're unsure whether I can help with your specific situation, the free introductory call is a perfect opportunity to discuss this.
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Integrative counselling means I draw on different therapeutic approaches and techniques to create a personalized treatment plan that suits your unique needs and circumstances. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor my work to what will be most helpful for you.
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Yes, I have experience in hypnotherapy, which can be a valuable tool for addressing issues such as anxiety, habits, phobias, and personal development. We can discuss whether hypnotherapy might be beneficial for you during our initial conversation.