Zoe Brook

9am and 8pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Therapeutic support provided for:

Anxiety

• • Social anxiety and self esteem
• • Generalised anxiety
• • OCD
• • School anxiety & refusal
• • Specific phobias
• • Intrusive thoughts
• • Perfectionism
• • Neurodivergent-related anxiety

Depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts

Emotional regulation

Sleep issues

Young People

I have 13 years’ experience working with children and young people, aged 9–18, primarily within private practice but also in partnership with primary and high schools.

Effective therapy begins with the relationship I build with a young person client. Walking into a therapy room and talking to someone you have never met before can feel uncomfortable, particularly for a young person who may not have chosen to be there themselves.

My priorities are to help them feel comfortable, listened to and understood. I want the child or adolescent to leave the first session feeling that I am an “OK” person to have in their lives; someone they can trust and who is genuinely interested in getting to know them as an individual.

This means taking the time to understand who they are beyond the difficulties that have brought them to therapy – what matters to them, their values, interests, relationships and their own unique way of seeing the world. I will always treat them with the maturity they deserve. 

This trust creates the foundations for a young person to truly engage in therapy and to enable the two of us to work together on the skills and strategies that will allow them to manage their struggles, now and in the future

Adults

That same curiosity and commitment to understanding the individual sitting in front of me is at the heart of my work with adults.

Together we will explore your current struggles and the negative impact they are having on your ability to lead a life that has meaning and purpose. We start to identify the difficult thoughts and feelings that are getting in the way of you enjoying life, before learning and putting into practice the skills that will enable you to step back and make space for the things that really matter.

This approach is effective for depression and self harm, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, intrusive thoughts, health anxiety, phobias, low self esteem, sleep and many more.

My therapy space

I have created a warm, private and relaxed space where clients can feel at ease. Comfortable chairs, a sofa, beanbag, soft lighting and plants helping to create a calm and peaceful environment. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are always available.

The room is conveniently located, with plenty of parking within two minutes and Sale tram station a three-minute walk away. It is easily accessible by road from across South Manchester.

Feedback about my practice from clients

Child & adolescent (consented & using pseudonyms)

Mum of Matt (15 yrs) OCD: “Our weekly session with Zoe was a beacon in our storm. Whilst under her care my son went from strength to strength and is now living a happy life without OCD.”

Mum of Leo (10 yrs) Panic Attacks: “We are so grateful for all your support and toolkit of strategies that you so warmly and patiently shared with Leo and ourselves. We have got our little boy back.”

Mum of Maya (17 yrs) Depression and low self-esteem: “It means so much to know there is someone keeping watch over Maya through difficult times. Strange that I don’t actually need to ask what you talk about. I just know the difference it is making.”

Feedback from adults

“I always felt that I wasn’t alone and I am grateful to have had this experience with someone so understanding.”

“When I first started my sessions I felt alone, afraid and not in control of my own mind. Zoe was that light in my week. I knew after each session I would be leave feeling a little more hopeful.”

"My anxiety and depression were preventing me from living my life the way I used to. I was determined to get back on track but I didn’t know how. Therapy with Zoe provided me with the direction and guidance I needed to help get back to my usual self. Zoe was so understanding and brilliant to speak to and I will continue to remain in touch and have regular check-in sessions in the future.”

Other client issues include, social and health anxiety, intrusive thoughts, phobias, self esteem, sleep

Pre therapy

Before signing up to therapy it can be really helpful to, not just, visit a website but to also speak directly with the therapist. Not only does this provide the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about what support they can provide and if this is right for you, but it will also help get a feel for how the therapist relates to you and responds to what you share with them.

I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation, giving you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about me and my practice and for you to talk through what difficulties you, your child or young person are currently struggling with.

If you are looking for therapy for a child or young person, I am always very happy to speak with them during this initial conversation. I'm open to any questions!

First session 

Clients of all age are often apprehensive ahead of their first therapy session. They might not know what is expected of them, what to say or even worry about how to do therapy "right". I reassure all my clients that they need to do no more than turn up.

I will lead the session with sensitivity, keep the conversation light if that feels the right thing to do and I have access to many therapy tools to help clients share without the pressure of talking.  It is on me to make the most of this session for you.

There is no need to know why you are feeling a certain way, what is behind how you feel or what it might be called. Whilst you may be able to identify with one or more of the list below, some terms may be unfamiliar, confusing or not fit the idea of what is going on for you That is perfectly normal and, whilst labelling can sometimes be helpful, it is certainly not always necessary.

Some of the issues people might feel they can identify with include depression, and self harm, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, intrusive thoughts, health anxiety, phobias, emotional regulation, low self esteem and sleep issues.