Simon Baker-Cooke

Currently available for Thursday and Fridays sessions. Limited availability on Saturday and Sunday

My approach is person-centred, which means I believe you are the expert in your own life and experiences. I won’t judge you, make assumptions about you, or try to steer you towards a particular outcome. Instead, I’ll listen carefully and offer a safe, confidential and accepting space where you can be yourself and explore whatever you’re experiencing.

I work collaboratively and at your pace. There isn’t a set agenda or a need to arrive with everything worked out. Sometimes you may know exactly what you want to talk about; at other times, you may simply have a feeling that something isn’t right. Both are perfectly valid places to begin.

My particular area of interest is supporting people experiencing gender incongruity, gender dysphoria, or uncertainty around their gender identity. These experiences can bring up difficult questions about identity, relationships, the body, transition, family, or the future. My role is not to tell you who you are or what you should do. Instead, I’ll provide a space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly, including uncertainty, doubts or conflicting feelings, without judgement or pressure.

I also work with anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, loneliness, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, stress, life changes and feeling overwhelmed.

I believe that a good therapeutic relationship is at the heart of counselling. For me, that means being genuine, accepting and willing to meet you where you are. Together, we can make sense of what you’re experiencing and explore what might help you move forward.

Therapy isn’t about me having all the answers. It’s about creating a space where you can find your own.

Purple Willow Therapy is an online counselling practice offering a safe, confidential and welcoming space for adults to talk about whatever is troubling them.

I understand that making the decision to contact a therapist can feel daunting. You may know exactly what you want help with, or you may simply know that things aren’t feeling right. There is no need to have everything worked out before you get in touch.

Sessions take place online, giving you the opportunity to talk from somewhere you feel comfortable and private. We can arrange regular sessions at a frequency that feels appropriate for you, and I’ll explain everything clearly before we begin so you know what to expect.

My particular area of interest is supporting adults experiencing gender incongruity, gender dysphoria, or questioning aspects of their gender identity. You may be exploring who you are, struggling with dysphoria, considering transition, unsure about transition, or dealing with the impact that these experiences are having on your relationships, confidence or day-to-day life. You are welcome at Purple Willow regardless of where you are in that process.

I also offer counselling for a range of other difficulties, including anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, loneliness, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, stress, life changes and feeling overwhelmed.

I aim to make Purple Willow a place where you can speak honestly without worrying about being judged or having to present yourself in a particular way. What you bring to therapy is yours to explore, and I’ll work alongside you with openness, respect and compassion.

If you decide to get in touch, we’ll start with a conversation about what has brought you to therapy and whether you feel I might be the right person to work with. Finding the right therapist matters, and there is no pressure to make a commitment before you’re ready.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to meet, get a feel for how we might work together and talk about what has brought you to therapy.

I’ll ask you a little about what you’re experiencing and what you’d like support with, but there is no expectation that you will be able to explain everything straight away. You can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. If you’re unsure where to begin, that’s okay too — we can take our time and find a starting point together.

We’ll also talk through the practical side of counselling, including confidentiality, how online sessions work, and anything else you may want to know before we begin.

For me, the relationship between therapist and client is really important. The first session is therefore also an opportunity for you to decide whether you feel comfortable talking to me. There is no pressure to continue if you don’t feel I’m the right therapist for you.

If you’re coming to me because of gender incongruity or gender dysphoria, you don’t need to have worked out your identity, decided whether you want to transition, or know what you want to achieve from therapy. We can begin wherever you are.

The first session is charged at my usual session rate of £40. Sessions are 50 minutes and take place online.

Most importantly, you don’t need to prepare anything special. Just come as you are.