Steven Lowe

I offer appointments throughout the week, including mornings, afternoons and evenings. As I also work within education and school counselling, availability may vary from time to time, so please contact me to discuss current availability.

I often meet clients when they're facing a difficult change - in their circumstances, or in how they relate to a memory, a situation, or someone in their life. These changes can be difficult to make sense of and can leave people feeling stuck, unsettled, or unsure what to do next.

Often things begin to change once they're out of their head and laid out in front of them, because that's when patterns, pressures and possibilities become easier to see. I pay close attention to the way people talk about what's going on in their lives, and use questions to help them explore things from different angles and get a clearer sense of where they are. Sometimes that means making sense of thoughts and feelings; sometimes it means exploring instinct, meaning, values, or a sense that something is asking to be understood.

I believe that when people have a clearer sense of where they are, they're better able to decide how they want to move forward. Whether that means making a change, coming to terms with a situation, or understanding themselves a little better, the goal is greater clarity about what comes next.

People come to counselling for many reasons, but I often work with people who feel stuck, are facing a difficult change, or are trying to make sense of a situation that no longer feels straightforward.

As an integrative therapist, I draw on person-centred and cognitive behavioural approaches, adapting my way of working to the individual rather than expecting everyone to engage in the same way. Alongside talking therapy, I may use visual, creative or experiential approaches where they feel helpful. This can include using physical space, art materials, creative activities, personal interests, or practical ways of exploring situations that are difficult to put into words.

Alongside private practice, I work as a school counsellor and counselling tutor. I have extensive experience supporting young people through emotional, social and educational challenges, including ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity. Working closely with SENCO departments and ELSA provision has helped me develop flexible and creative ways of working that recognise different communication styles and ways of processing experiences.

I have a particular interest in life transitions, identity, meaning, spirituality and the stories people tell about themselves and their lives.

I offer in-person, online, telephone and walk-and-talk sessions, and work both short and long term depending on individual needs.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no pressure to commit beyond this session; its main purpose is to help you decide whether I am the right therapist for your needs and whether my way of working feels supportive and comfortable.

During this session, we will spend time getting to know you and what has brought you to therapy. We’ll explore your current concerns, relevant background, and what you hope to gain from counselling. I’ll also carry out an initial assessment, which helps ensure the work we do is appropriate, ethical, and tailored to your situation. This includes discussing practicalities such as confidentiality, boundaries, and how we would work together, so you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

If you have particular goals in mind, we can begin to identify these together, while recognising that goals can change or become clearer over time. If you’re unsure what you want from therapy, that’s absolutely fine — we can hold this lightly and allow it to emerge as the work develops.

Therapy sessions are usually one-to-one, but if having a trusted or supportive person with you for the first session would help you feel safer or more settled, I’m open to discussing this. My priority is that the first session feels welcoming, respectful, and grounded, giving you the space to ask questions, share at your own pace, and make an informed decision about how you’d like to proceed.