The counselling experience begins before we sit down together. I decorated my Kirkbymoorside clinic window around the words “Rest, Relax & Restore” to reflect the space I hope to offer: somewhere to pause, feel heard and begin making sense of what is happening.

Creating a space that feels welcoming

For many people, contacting a counsellor can feel daunting. The surroundings cannot remove every uncertainty, but they can communicate warmth, care and the possibility of taking a breath.

I wanted the window to offer something positive to people arriving for counselling as well as those simply passing by. The flowers, leaves and hand-drawn details reflect my love of creativity and nature, while the words invite us to slow down for a moment.

Creativity in counselling

Creativity is an important part of who I am and can also become part of the therapeutic process when it feels helpful to the person I am working with. Images, metaphor, writing and other creative approaches can sometimes help us explore experiences that are difficult to express through conversation alone.

There is never any pressure to be artistic or to work creatively. It is simply another possibility within a relational and individual approach to counselling.

My counselling room is based in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire. I also offer online and telephone counselling, and Walk and Talk Therapy.