Mark Geldard

I have flexible availability and will do my best to find a time that works for you. Please feel free to get in touch to discuss my current availability. I’d be very happy to hear from you.

Taking the first step towards counselling can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you’re not quite sure what to expect or even where to begin. I believe therapy should offer you a space where you can feel heard, accepted and able to talk openly about whatever is happening in your life, without judgement or pressure.

My training is in Person-Centred Therapy, which is at the heart of how I work. I believe that you are the expert in your own experiences, and my role is to work alongside you, helping you to explore and make sense of your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Together, we can develop a deeper understanding of what is happening for you and what you may want to change, at a pace that feels right for you.

I have also developed an understanding of other therapeutic approaches, which can inform how I respond to what you bring to our sessions. I recognise that everyone experiences things differently, so our work together will be shaped by you, your individual experiences and what you need from counselling.

For me, the relationship we build is an important part of therapy. I aim to offer a warm, genuine and supportive space where you can be yourself and where we can explore not only the things you may be struggling with but also develop a greater understanding of yourself and what you might want to change.

I welcome people from all backgrounds, identities and experiences, and my practice is inclusive, affirmative and non-judgemental.

Whether there is something specific that has brought you to counselling, or you simply have a sense that something isn’t quite right and would like the space to understand it better, we can begin wherever you are.

I offer both short and longer-term counselling, depending on what you are looking for and what feels most helpful to you.

Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly at a regular day and time that we agree together. Having that regular space can be an important part of therapy, although we can discuss different arrangements where appropriate.

I believe counselling works best when it remains responsive to you rather than following a predetermined path. As our work develops, we will regularly take time to reflect on how things are going, what you are experiencing and whether our work together continues to meet your needs. If something isn’t working for you, I want you to feel able to bring that into our sessions too.

I currently offer counselling online via Microsoft Teams. You can attend from a private, quiet and comfortable space where you feel able to talk openly without being overheard.

There is no set length of time that you need to be in counselling. For some people, a shorter period of therapy may be enough to explore a particular issue or time in their life, while others may value having a therapeutic space for longer. We can talk about this together and review it as our work progresses.

Ultimately, this is your space. My role is to work alongside you and provide the time, attention and therapeutic relationship in which you can explore whatever you need to bring.

Before booking your first counselling session, I offer a free initial 30 minute telephone consultation. This is an informal conversation and an opportunity for you to tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions you may have and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking with me. It also gives me the opportunity to consider whether I am the right person to support you. There is no obligation to book a session afterwards if it doesn’t feel like the right fit.

If we decide to work together, your first counselling session will be a full 50-minute session at my usual session fee.

At the beginning, we will spend a little time going through our counselling agreement so that you understand how we will work together, including confidentiality and any questions you may have.

From there, we can begin to explore what has brought you to counselling and what you might hope to gain from our work together. There is no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about, and you don’t need to tell me everything in your first session. We can take things at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

The first session is also another opportunity for us both to consider how it feels to work together and whether continuing feels right for you.