Olivia Watson

I currently offer early morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Additionally, I offer weekly, fortnightly or monthly sessions as I understand that counselling is a commitment and it can be difficult to fit sessions into a busy schedule. I aim to be as flexible as possible and welcome you to get in touch with your preferred dates and times; I will always do my best to accommodate a time that works for you. 

Hello, I’m Liv, a person-centred, integrative counsellor with a passion for supporting clients in the way that feels right for them. I believe that every client is unique, carrying many complex and meaningful parts that make up their identity. Because of this, I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach to counselling. Instead, I tailor our work together to suit you as an individual; your experiences, your pace, and your needs.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in empathy, compassion, and creating a space free from judgement. I believe that feeling truly heard and understood can be transformative but alongside this, I value adaptability. Some sessions may simply offer a steady, supportive listening ear. Others may provide space to process difficult emotions, untangle overwhelming thoughts, or explore patterns that you feel stuck in. At times, our work may gently and safely explore trauma, identity, relationships, or complex life experiences, always at a pace that feels manageable for you.

I work collaboratively, trusting that you are the expert in your own life. My role is not to direct, but to walk alongside you, offering insight where helpful, reflecting with care, and supporting you to develop deeper self-awareness and resilience.

Whatever your gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or cultural background, I aim to create a therapeutic space that feels warm, inclusive, and affirming. A space where you can delve deeper, express emotions freely, and feel validated in your experiences.

Reaching out for support can feel daunting, and I recognise the courage it takes to begin therapy. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, navigating a life transition, carrying the weight of past experiences, or simply wanting to understand yourself more fully, you are welcome here.

I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, grounded in an integrative and relational framework. My training exposed me to a range of therapeutic approaches and specialisms, allowing me to develop a broad, adaptable practice rather than working from a single model.

I work from a person-centred, integrative approach, meaning you remain at the heart of our sessions. I tailor therapy to suit you, drawing on reflective dialogue, active listening, elements of CBT, grounding techniques, creative tools, or psychoeducation where helpful. I offer both short-term and long-term therapy, depending on what feels right for you.

I have a particular passion for supporting women who have experienced trauma, whether directly or indirectly. I understand how often traumatic experiences, relationships, or societal expectations can become normalised, and I aim to offer a space where these can be explored safely, compassionately, and without minimisation. I also work closely with individuals navigating grief and loss. Grief is deeply personal and can feel isolating; therapy can provide space to speak openly, name complex emotions, and process loss at your own pace.

I primarily offer online sessions via telephone or video and am open to discussing adjustments to help you feel comfortable. As a client-led counsellor, I regularly check in about what feels most important, whether that relates to present challenges, past experiences, identity, or wider social concerns.

Your emotional safety and the quality of our therapeutic relationship are central to my work. I am committed to ongoing learning so clients feel understood without needing to educate or justify their experiences. Whatever you are carrying, you are welcome to reach out.

Your first session with me is not a formal assessment or a deep exploration of your experiences and I do not require you to complete lengthy paperwork beforehand. Instead, I will email you my counselling contract prior to our initial meeting so you have time to read through it at your own pace. In our first session, we can explore how you feel about the contract, clarify any questions you may have about confidentiality or the way I work, and discuss any anxieties or uncertainties about starting therapy.

I will gently invite you to share what has brought you to therapy, what may be on your mind, or what feelings are present for you as we begin talking. I understand that starting therapy can bring up a range of emotions, so there is no pressure to explain everything in detail or disclose more than feels comfortable. This initial conversation simply allows us to explore whether we feel like the right fit and whether I can adequately support you. It also gives you the opportunity to experience my person-centred approach and consider whether it feels aligned with what you are looking for in a therapist.

This session is also a chance to discuss any adjustments or preferences that would help therapy feel comfortable, affirming, and accessible for you. All of my sessions are offered at the same rate, whether online or via telephone, and whether short-term or long-term. I do offer concessionary rates where finances are a concern and am open to discussing fortnightly or monthly sessions to help make the costs of therapy more manageable.

By the end of our first session, we will have agreed whether we would like to move forward together, discussed how frequently you would like to meet, and ensured that any questions you have about me or my therapeutic process have been answered.