Frances Levy

I currently have some limited availability in the week for online or face to face sessions, and a couple of slots available for online sessions at the weekend

I work in a grounded, evidence-based way that blends my person-centred background (trusting you as the expert in your own life) with effective tools and strategies to help you feel more in control of whatever’s left you stuck or struggling.

To start with, you’ll probably do more of the talking as I get to know you and what’s bringing you to therapy. But don’t worry—I’ll make sure we’re not just sitting in silence because you don’t know what to say. I’ve got the right questions to help us explore what’s going on, even if it’s something you find hard to put into words.

A lot of my clients say that they talk to plenty of friends and aren’t sure what therapy could offer that’s different. While the sessions are conversational, a big part of the work lies in noticing how we usually respond—especially when something feels uncomfortable—and giving ourselves the space to respond differently.

If you’d like to get a feel for how sessions might be, we can start with a 15–20 minute phone call to see if we’re a good fit.

My foundation is in person-centred psychotherapy, which I built on by training in psychosexual and integrative therapies. My work is grounded in existential ideas and often shaped by my background in business.

Clients often describe me as someone who “just gets it”—able to name the thing they haven’t quite put their finger on yet. I take this work seriously. It’s not just a job for me—it’s something I’ve chosen to keep studying and deepening because I believe in it.

People often come to me when they’ve got no idea where else to turn. Sometimes a partner has pushed them to ‘seek help,’ other times they just can’t stand the way they’ve been feeling anymore. Most are hoping for someone who won’t judge them—but who also won’t talk in jargon or soft clichés. I probably won’t mention your ‘healing journey’ unless you do. We use real language to grapple with real issues and create real change.

What makes therapy transformative, in my experience, is the relationship. It’s a kind of chemistry that can’t be forced. When you’re dealing with difficult things, it matters to know that the person sitting across from you doesn’t need everything spelled out to understand.

I often work with people who’ve felt judged or misunderstood—even by other therapists. I see people and the choices they’ve made as part of the full tapestry of their lives—what’s shaped them, protected them, and brought them to this point.

I want my clients to feel at ease in their first session—and curious about the possibility of change. But let’s be honest: most people don’t arrive at therapy feeling relaxed. If you’ve reached the point of booking a session, it usually means something isn’t working. Therapy should be uncomfortable at times—but it’s my job to build trust and understanding between us so that the discomfort feels manageable and worthwhile.

At the start of our session there’s a bit of admin and due diligence I need to cover, but we move through it quickly. If you’re feeling nervous, this part can be useful—it gives you a chance to settle into the space, whether we’re meeting online or in person.

I usually begin by asking if you have an idea of where you’d like to start. I encourage clients to trust wherever their mind goes, even if it feels random or less important than what they came in for. Often a first session feels a bit jumbled—like you’ve jumped between half-thoughts and scattered memories without landing anywhere. That’s completely normal. It’s my job to take in all of it and begin to shape it into something we can work with.

In that first session, I’m paying attention to your goals, the context that’s brought you here, and the key moments that seem to have shaped your current situation. Clients often leave feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion—relief that I “get it,” even if we haven’t fixed anything yet. That in itself can bring clarity. Hope. If you can, I recommend leaving a bit of space afterwards rather than heading straight back into the rush of everyday life.

Therapy with me is collaborative. You won’t be left floundering while I sit in silence. I’ll be in it with you, from the start—and we’ll figure it out together, even where to begin.