I understand that taking the first step to seek support can feel daunting. Stress means different things to different people. Issues that clients raise with me include: overwhelm, anxiety, too much going on, work taking over, issues at work, personal life issues, loss of confidence and self-esteem, grief, relationship issues, parenting struggles, generally not coping, health problems.
When you are stressed, your brain is in survival mode which affects your thinking, your physical health and your emotional well-being. You may end up resorting to unhealthy ways of coping and end up spiralling. I help ground you so that your primitive brain switches off and you can start to think more clearly and objectively. I help you understand what is going on and explore ways to do things differently. I also provide you with a variety of tools and advice to help, tailored to your particular situation.
Amongst other things, I can help you feel calmer, more in control, and remind you who you are and how to enjoy life.
WHAT IS STRESS?
What is stress? Ultimately, stress is what happens when the demands placed upon us exceed our ability to cope. It can affect our mind and the way we think, our body, resulting in a whole host of physical symptoms and conditions, our emotions and how we feel, and also our behaviour. Its impact on us, as individuals, and on those around us can be enormous.
ARE YOU STRESSED?
Ultimately, stress is what happens when the demands placed upon us exceed our ability to cope. It can affect our mind and the way we think, our body, resulting in a whole host of physical symptoms and conditions, our emotions and how we feel, and also our behaviour. Its impact on us, as individuals, and on those around us can be enormous.
- Are you easily irritated/angered?
- Are you more emotional and tearful?
- Do you struggle to concentrate and find yourself forgetting things?
- Are you losing or putting on weight?
- Do you feel tired all the time even if you sleep well?
- Are you struggling to get to sleep or waking early?
- Are you suffering from physical symptoms related to stress? e.g. panic attacks, muscle aches, migraines
- Are you bringing work home and working in the evenings?
- Are you missing meals or working through meals?
- Are you snacking on sugary and/or fatty foods?
- Are you relying on nicotine, caffeine, alcohol or other drugs to get you through the day?
- Are you lacking quality time for yourself and the important people in your life?
- Do you feel out of control?
- Are you running on empty?
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
My online 1-2-1 sessions are all about you. With nearly 25 years’ experience as a GP, I provide a safe and confidential space where you can explore what’s troubling you at your own pace and learn new ways to live your life.
To help you decide whether I am the right person for you, you’ll find more information below. I also offer a free initial 15 minute phone call.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I send you the zoom link prior to each session. In the first session, I may ask if you’re happy to complete a couple of simple questionnaires around anxiety and depression, but they are not essential. I’ll then ask you to tell me what has been going on for you and what prompted you to seek help. Asking you some general questions will help me build up a bit of a picture of you as a person which helps me support you. Thereafter, we see where the session takes us and likewise for further sessions. I will listen, ask questions to encourage reflection, sometimes use psychological tools if appropriate, and provide self-care tools which I think will help you. I may also provide practical advice. Each session is tailored to your specific needs.
Just tell me and we won’t go there, unless you change your mind at a later date.
It is very common for people who are struggling with stress to feel they just don’t have time to get help. This is because the impact of stress on on our lives leads to a lot of time wastage. Also, because stress changes our perception of time and makes us feel overwhelmed. The best way to reclaim time in your life, when you are stressed/overwhelmed, is to tackle it head on and, if needed, to get help.
I recommend thinking about sessions one at a time, not as a block. Take things one step at a time.
When you are feeling calm, try blocking one hour out of your diary over the next couple of weeks. Would you cope? That could potentially be a first session. In that session you would learn tools which would help you reclaim time in your life, amongst other things. If you were wanting to book a second session we’d find a date to suit you. You would be in control.
I charge £80 for one off hour-long sessions. If you’re happy to book a block of four sessions and pay upfront, they work out at £75 per session (total £300). If you’re wanting to book a block of 6 sessions and pay upfront, they work out at £70 per session (total £420).
In my experience, most people find that a block of 4 sessions works well. They can top up with a one off hour-long session if needed. However, some clients have booked an additional block of 4 as they’ve discovered further issues they’ve wanted to explore. Sometimes, a block of 6 feels right if there is a lot going on. It allows frequent sessions initially and then a bit more space between them. I’ve also had clients with ongoing issues which can’t be resolved and they have continued to have a session once a month or so to help them cope. For some people it helps just to book an initial one-off session and then take it from there.
As long as you let me know before 5pm the day before, that is no problem. If you cancel after this time, I’m afraid you will still be charged or it will be included as one of your block.