Values & Ethics

My therapeutic practice is underpinned by deeply held values and ethics:

We are made, and re-made, by our relationships

Gestalt for me is more than a therapeutic approach, but a way of being. I believe everyone and everything are interconnected. Despite what hurts us love is fundamental to healing and growth. Enduring change involves going deeper into our selves and accepting all that we are. Contentment comes through discovering what gives our life meaning. And, we are always a unique ‘work-in-process’.

Diversity & difference

Many of my clients feel like outsiders, with intersecting and minoritised identities – including gender, sexuality, relationship, cultural, community, ethnic, spiritual, faith, health, dis-ability, family, and work. A number of my clients are neurodivergent, some with neuroqueer identities. My clients’ ages range from mid 20s to late 70s.

I understand that identities are more than labels — but complex experiences involving our sense of self, relationships, histories, and wider systemic factors.

I do not use labels or diagnoses unless you use them for yourself, and I oppose conversion therapy. I believe therapy should never be used to change, suppress, or ‘correct’ who someone is or wants to become.

I take responsibility to educate myself through continuous professional development and reflection; and I am committed to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, multi-cultural, sex-positive, trans and queer-affirmative practices.

History & context is always present

‘Normality’ is a made up societal standard. Mental ‘ill health’ and emotional distress are systemic issues, not just personal or family ‘problems’. As such, we cannot separate ‘othering’ and trauma from systemic, environmental, and historic inequities, such as colonialism, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, classism, or climate breakdown. I believe naming and engaging with structural inequalities – including those in mental health support – is integral to healing and growth.

Financial accessibility

I’m passionate about psychotherapy being as accessible as possible, and so I work with a sliding scale fee structure. You are asked to pay as much as you can afford – also acknowledging regional and national variations, for example York compared with London or Glasgow – that isn’t an overstretch but honours the sliding scale ethos. Those who can pay more help make it possible for me to offer reduced fee therapy to those who are unwaged.

All my therapeutic work is underpinned by clinical supervision, ongoing professional development, and ethical practice management – so I never work for free but I am open to a conversation about what might be mutually sustainable.