Hi, I'm Simon
I'm a BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist living in Manchester and am passionate about supporting people with their mental health and allowing them to be the person they want to be.
I am experienced in providing a safe, confidential space where you can explore in your own time what you need to in order to meet your goals. I find it a privilege to join people on their journey toward better mental health and wellbeing
Part of my own journey with my mental health has been periods of therapy so I understand and own my own processes in the therapy room. It also allows me to offer a real understanding of what it’s like to be on the ‘other side of the room’.
I have years of experience working therapeutically with trauma and the impact it has on the way we encounter the world, others, and ourselves.
I have counselled individuals with experiences of depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, substance misuse, suicidal thoughts and self harm.
Whether you're looking to stabilise and find day to day more manageable or to process some of the experiences that you have had, I can offer a safe, stable, space that starts you on your healing journey whenever you are ready.
There are lots of reasons people come to therapy
Here are a few of the most common reasons to give you an idea of how I work in these areas:
The experience of being depressed, having negative self-talk, or lacking motivation, can feel paralysing. We may want to reach out but something inside keeps us silent and isolated. Therapy can offer a non-judgmental, safe space for you to speak about your individual experiences of depression in order for you to feel connected once again. I am qualified in PCE-CFD (Counselling for Depression) which is an evidence-based approach for working with depressive experiences.
Anxiety can bring an overwhelming feeling of worry, fear, and panic. With our thoughts racing, it can feel impossible to know what to do or where to start, making our daily lives exhausting and overwhelming. Therapy can help bring ourselves into our bodily experiences of anxiety, becoming aware of our physiological responses and tapping into our body's natural ability to calm and soothe an anxious mind. I offer a calming, safety-focused approach where we can lower the intensity of anxious symptoms, allowing us space to understand what may be driving them to be present in the first place
Our response to traumatic events are natural survival instincts that kept us alive when we were most under threat. As time passes, the immediate threat may be long gone but the impact on our minds and bodies remains. Post traumatic experiences can make us feel constantly on edge, wary of others, and scared to build relationships. Or we may feel numb to the world, full of anger or self-loathing, or experiencing ourselves losing track of time.
Therapy can help to frame all these experiences as our body’s natural responses to threat, taking away the shame and guilt that often is felt by those impacted by trauma. By working with the body to establish practices that emphasise safety, stability, and connection, over time we can become more in contact with the present and less impacted by past events. I offer a trauma informed approach based on years of experience working with survivors of trauma and attending training in the field of trauma.
Change is part of life but that doesn't mean it is an easy thing to manage. Sometimes a sudden change comes along - illness, bereavement, relationship break-up - that turns our world upside down and we feel lost and helpless. Other times, change is slow and subtle until we realise we aren't happy with how things are but don't know which direction to go next.
Therapy can give you a space to anchor and ground yourself when a change has caused your world to feel turbulent. I offer a space where you can come to terms with what has happened and explore what meaning this has for you. By giving yourself the time needed to acknowledge what has changed, we can work together to discover what the right course of action moving forward is for you.
My Training & Experience
I trained over 4 years in TA (Transactional Analysis) Psychotherapy. After 2 years I passed my competencies assessment allowing me to practice as a therapist. I spent a further 2 years deepening my knowledge and therapeutic skills and completed my Post Graduate Diploma in 2017, which included conducting a piece of qualitative research. My course required 4 years of personal therapy alongside my training which allows me to be self reflective and own my 'stuff' in the therapy room.
I have since gained a further qualification in PCE-CFD (Counselling for Depression) and attend ongoing professional training and workshops to further build my knowledge and awareness. I have also completed the process of becoming an accredited member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) where I had to demonstrate how my knowledge and skills had developed since qualifying to meet their higher standards of competency as an ethical and independent practitioner.
I have worked for charitable/third sector organisations as a therapist since 2016, most extensively in the field of trauma and sexual violence, and have been running my own private practice since 2019.
My Location
Didsbury Counselling and Therapy Centre
212a Burton Road
West Didsbury
M20 2LW
My sessions are offered either in my therapy room in Manchester or online via a secure video link from wherever you are in the UK.
I provide a safe and confidential space where you can go at your own pace to explore what needs to be explored.
Sessions
I offer short or long term sessions but there is no prescribed length – this is something we will work out together.
Sessions will usually take place weekly as I find this is the best way to get to where you want to get to in the time we have together. Again, we can speak about how this best works for us both.
Fees & Availability
I offer a free 20 minute introductory phone or video call. This is a great way to get to know each other a little, discuss any concerns or queries about starting therapy, and how we both feel about working together. There is no expectation to commit to sessions until you feel ready.
I charge £60 per session and sessions last 50 minutes.
For starting off, I advise individuals to come weekly as this is the best way to build an effective therapeutic relationship. Regularity of sessions can always be reviewed as we continue.
Get In Touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange a free 20 minute introductory call. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on +44 7307878523 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
I endeavour to answer all enquiries as soon as possible, and all contact is strictly confidential.