Neil Porter

I currently offer Walk & Talk counselling in the Allestree area of Derby, with flexible appointment times, including some daytime and evening availability.

Please get in touch to discuss available appointments and find a time that works for you.

I offer Walk & Talk counselling for people who may prefer being outdoors rather than sitting face-to-face in a traditional counselling room.

Walking side by side can make counselling feel less intense and more informal. There is no pressure to maintain eye contact and no expectation to walk at a particular pace or distance. We can walk, slow down, stop or sit for a while depending on what feels comfortable for you.

I particularly support people experiencing relationship difficulties, whether that's struggling to communicate, going through a separation, noticing repeating patterns or feeling disconnected from themselves or others. I also work with people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout and other emotional difficulties.

My approach is warm, down-to-earth and collaborative. I'll work alongside you to explore what's happening beneath the surface, understand the emotions and experiences involved, and find a way forward that feels right for you.

Walk & Talk sessions take place in a peaceful outdoor setting in the Allestree area of Derby.

My Walk & Talk counselling sessions take place in the Allestree area of Derby, in a peaceful outdoor setting with woodland and lakeside options.

There are different walking options depending on what feels comfortable for you. We can take a gentle, flat walk, spend some time in the woodland, or simply stop and sit if you prefer. The walking itself is never the goal — the counselling is.

Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50.

We'll meet at the Woodlands Road car park (DE22 2HH) before beginning our walk. As sessions take place outdoors, we'll also discuss practical considerations, including the weather and confidentiality.

If the weather makes walking unsuitable, we can arrange an alternative rather than feeling we have to brave the elements!

Before arranging your first Walk & Talk session, I offer a free, no-obligation introductory call. This gives us an opportunity to talk briefly about what has brought you to counselling, what you're hoping for and whether Walk & Talk feels like the right option for you.

For our first session, we'll agree on a meeting point beforehand and talk through how Walk & Talk counselling works, including confidentiality and what happens if the weather is unsuitable.

There's no expectation to walk a particular distance or at a particular pace. We can take things gently, stop or sit whenever you prefer.

Most importantly, our first session is an opportunity to get to know one another, begin exploring what's happening in your life and consider what you would like to gain from counselling.

I offer individual and couples counselling in person in Mickleover, Derby, and online across the UK. My working hours are flexible, including daytime and evening appointments. Please get in touch to discuss availability or arrange a free 15-minute introductory call.

I believe counselling should feel like a genuine conversation, where you feel heard, understood and able to be yourself. I see therapy as something we work through together. I don't see myself as the expert on your life — you are.

My work focuses particularly on relationships, whether that's difficulties with a partner, communication problems, recurring patterns, separation, or the relationship you have with yourself. I support individuals and couples in exploring what's happening beneath the surface, understanding the emotions involved and finding healthier ways of moving forward.

I'm not a passive therapist. Where it feels helpful, I may gently offer observations, ask thoughtful questions, share insights or help you explore practical ways forward. I believe counselling can offer more than understanding alone; it can also help you make meaningful changes in your life and relationships.

My approach is integrative and person-centred, allowing me to adapt how I work to your individual needs. I also draw on relational, trauma-informed and emotionally focused approaches.

My practice is holistic and spiritually open, so we can explore questions of meaning, purpose or spirituality where these are important to you, while fully respecting your own beliefs and values.

Relationships, understanding and finding a way forward

Relationships can bring us happiness and fulfilment, but they can also leave us feeling hurt, confused or stuck.

Perhaps you're struggling to communicate with your partner, finding yourselves having the same arguments or feeling increasingly distant from one another. You might be going through a separation, questioning your relationship or noticing familiar patterns appearing time and again.

I work with both individuals and couples experiencing relationship difficulties. Together, we can begin exploring what's happening beneath the surface, understanding the emotions and experiences that shape how you relate to yourself and others.

My approach isn't about deciding who's right or wrong, or telling you what your relationship should look like. It's about helping you understand yourself and each other more deeply, recognise patterns that may be keeping you stuck and explore what a healthier way forward might look like.

Alongside relationship counselling, I also support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout and difficult periods of change and uncertainty.

Whether you're coming to counselling alone or together, we can begin with where you are and work towards what matters most to you.

Before booking a first session, I offer a free, no-obligation 15-minute introductory call. This gives us an opportunity to talk briefly about what has brought you to counselling, what you're hoping for and whether we feel comfortable working together.

Your first counselling session is charged at my usual rate and lasts 50 minutes for individuals or 90 minutes for couples.

We'll begin by exploring what has brought you to counselling, any important background information and what you would like support with. If you're attending as a couple, we'll also begin understanding the difficulties you're experiencing in your relationship and what you each hope to gain from counselling.

We can discuss confidentiality, how I work, practical arrangements and any questions you may have. There's no pressure to share everything immediately.

Most importantly, the first session is an opportunity to experience how it feels to work with me and decide whether you'd like to continue.