Person-centred therapy

Andy Burnham became PM the same week my professional body called for counselling to be treated as core NHS infrastructure. This isn't about politics — it's about a harder truth: GPs aren't the problem, and short-term therapy genuinely helps many people. But even the community charities built to offer something longer-term are being squeezed into the same brief model, leaving people with deep-seated, longstanding issues fewer places to turn.

This week, a small Maidenhead charity turned 50. Number 22 Community Counselling Services trained me, gave me my first long-term client, and is still the reason I get to do this work today.

Many people come to therapy wanting to understand the emotional patterns they’ve carried from childhood. Exploring our parents or caregivers can gently reveal where these responses began — not to blame, but to understand ourselves with more clarity, compassion, and choice.

Being told to “just think positive” can make depression feel even heavier. Depression isn’t a mindset issue — it’s a complex condition that affects motivation, energy and emotional processing. With compassion and the right support, people can feel understood rather than judged.

Nostalgia for the 90s is everywhere — from cassette tapes to fashion trends — but why does it hit so hard in midlife? This article explores the psychology of nostalgia, why we’re drawn to the past, and when reminiscing becomes emotionally unhelpful.

Many older adults experience emotional challenges, yet they’re under‑represented in therapy. In my practice, I’ve noticed how practical barriers, generational attitudes and unfamiliarity with counselling can all play a role. This article explores those factors with curiosity, and gently invites support at any age.

Therapy is often misunderstood, shaped by TV portrayals and common myths. This article explores the realities of therapy and common misconceptions from a person-centred counselling perspective in the UK, offering a clear and reassuring explanation of what therapy really involves, what it isn’t, and how ethical counselling supports growth, understanding and independence over time.

Conversations about wellbeing are changing. What once centred on resilience, productivity, and “pushing through” is giving way to something slower, more reflective, and (possibly) more human. As we enter 2026, many people are sensing that old approaches to wellbeing are no longer enough — not because they failed, but because the context has changed. Rising levels of stress, digital overload, overwhelming world events, economic uncertainty, and emotional fatigue have left many

Starting counselling for the first time can feel daunting, especially at the beginning of a new year. This article explores what people commonly experience when they begin counselling, what the first sessions are really like, and how person-centred counselling offers a supportive, non-judgemental space to start, at your own pace.