Humanistic counselling starts from the view that you are the expert on your own life, and that given the right conditions - genuine warmth, acceptance and a space without judgement - people are able to find their own way forward. "Integrative" means I am not tied to one single model. I draw on different approaches depending on what would be most useful for you, rather than fitting you to a method.

Counselling tends to be more open and exploratory. It gives you space to talk things through, be heard, and make sense of what you are feeling, at your own pace. CBT is more structured and focused on the present, looking at how thoughts, feelings and behaviour affect one another and building practical tools to manage specific symptoms. I am trained in both, and in practice many people benefit from a blend. We can talk about what would suit you at the start, and adjust as we go.

Yes, potentially. I am registered with BUPA, AXA and Aviva. If you have cover through your employer or a personal policy, it is worth contacting your insurer before we start to check what your policy includes and whether you need a GP referral or an authorisation code. The My Therapist Online team can help you sort out the practicalities.

I work with young people from the age of 16 upwards. Online counselling can suit this age group well, though it does depend on the young person having somewhere private where they can talk without being overheard. If you are a parent enquiring on behalf of your teenager, do get in touch and we can talk through whether it is likely to be a good fit.

That depends on what you are bringing and what you want from it. Some people come for a short, focused piece of work over six to twelve sessions; others prefer a longer, more open-ended space and stay for considerably longer. There is no obligation to commit to a set number, and we will review how things are going regularly so you always feel in control of the process.