Christian Leggatt

I am currently available on Saturdays.

I believe that counselling begins with creating a space where you feel safe enough to be yourself. 

My approach is person-centred, which means I do not see you as a problem that needs to be fixed. Instead, I work alongside you, offering a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can explore what is happening in your life at your own pace.

I believe you are the expert in your own experience. My role is to listen deeply, understand your perspective and help you make sense of thoughts, feelings and experiences that may sometimes feel difficult, confusing or overwhelming. I will not tell you what you should do or offer quick solutions. Instead, we can work collaboratively to explore what matters to you and what you may need.

The session runs for 50 minutes.

We plan to check in every six sessions to review what we have worked on so far, what is working, and whether any areas need improvement in our session work. This would also be the time to assess if we should continue working together or not. 

As a person-centred counsellor, I believe counselling should be shaped around you as an individual. My approach is grounded in the core conditions of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence, and I aim to create a warm, respectful and non-judgemental space where you can feel safe to be yourself.

I understand that beginning counselling can feel daunting, particularly when exploring experiences that may be painful or difficult to talk about. I will work with you at a pace that feels comfortable, allowing you to decide what you are ready to explore and when. You do not need to have the “right” words or know exactly where to begin. Sometimes having someone genuinely listen and be alongside you can be the first step.

I have experience supporting people with anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse and substance-related difficulties. I take a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach, recognising that your experiences, relationships, culture and circumstances can all influence how you see yourself and the world around you. Emotional safety, boundaries and trust are important foundations of our work together.

My background as a counsellor, teacher and musician has shaped the way I connect with people. I have a particular appreciation for creativity and the different ways we can express and make sense of experiences, especially when words don't always feel enough.

Having lived across the Middle East and Asia, I also have an appreciation of different cultural perspectives and experiences. I welcome people who may feel that their cultural background, identity or lived experience would benefit from a counsellor with a broader cross-cultural perspective.

Ultimately, I want our sessions to be a place where you feel heard, accepted and respected, with the freedom to explore what matters to you and what you hope to gain from counselling.

Firstly, there is no expectation that you have everything figured out before our first session. You can take things at your own pace, and we can work together to understand what you need from counselling.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and for you to get a feel for whether counselling with me feels right for you.

We will begin with an introduction and a check-in, before talking through confidentiality, boundaries, safety and the practical aspects of how we will work together.

I will explain the commitments I make to you as a counsellor, including the standards I work within as a BACP-registered counsellor. Where appropriate, we can also discuss relevant medical information and create a safety plan together.

We will explore what has brought you to counselling, what you would like help with and what you hope to get from our sessions. We can talk about your expectations and any goals you may have, while recognising that these can change as our work develops.