Matthew Hayes

I currently offer online counselling, with appointments available on Thursdays and Fridays during the daytime, alongside some early evening availability.

Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly at an agreed time. Please contact me with your availability so we can explore a suitable appointment. If your preferred time is not currently available, you are welcome to enquire about alternatives.

Hello, I’m Matthew, a BACP-accredited integrative counsellor. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can talk openly, feel heard and explore whatever has brought you to counselling.

You may be feeling overwhelmed, experiencing difficulties in your relationships, coping with a loss, or finding it hard to put your feelings into words. You do not need to have everything worked out before reaching out.

My approach has a person-centred foundation. This means that your experiences, needs and choices are central to our work. As an integrative counsellor, I also draw on other therapeutic approaches where these may help us understand your difficulties and explore ways forward.

Alongside my private practice, I work part-time as a university counsellor. My background also includes bereavement counselling, supporting bereavement volunteers through group supervision, and teaching counselling.

I have experience supporting people with anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship difficulties, loneliness and life changes. Bereavement and loss are a particular area of my experience, including supporting people bereaved by suicide.

I value a therapeutic relationship in which you can be yourself, without feeling pressured to present things in a particular way. We will work together at a pace that respects you and your circumstances.

I offer individual counselling online and face to face. Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £70 per session. A reduced fee of £45 is available for students, including trainee counsellors.

Face-to-face sessions provide a private, confidential space where you can talk openly, with parking available. Please contact me to discuss availability for in-person appointments.

Online sessions take place through Google Meet, allowing you to attend from a familiar environment. You will need a reliable internet connection, a camera and microphone, and a private space where you can speak freely without being overheard or interrupted.

I usually recommend beginning with weekly sessions at a consistent time, giving us regular space to explore what is happening for you and build our working relationship.

Our sessions may involve making sense of difficult emotions, exploring experiences and relationships, noticing recurring patterns, or considering changes you would like to make. We can review how the counselling is feeling for you as we go.

Before starting, I will explain our working agreement, including confidentiality and its limits, fees and cancellation arrangements, so you can make an informed decision about working with me.

The first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and explore what has brought you to counselling. You do not need to prepare a particular story or know exactly where to begin.

We can talk about what feels difficult at the moment, any hopes or concerns you have about counselling, and what you would like support with. You are welcome to ask questions about my approach and how we might work together.

Before we meet, I will send you a registration form to complete. We will also go through the practical arrangements and our counselling agreement, including confidentiality and its limits.

The initial session lasts 50 minutes and is charged at my usual rate, with the student concession applying where relevant. There is no expectation that you must commit to ongoing sessions afterwards. It is an opportunity to consider whether you feel comfortable working with me, and you are welcome to take time to decide.