Therapy FAQs
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
You do not need to be in crisis to seek support. Many people come to therapy because something no longer feels sustainable, whether that is anxiety, relationship conflict, emotional overwhelm, sexual concerns, stress, burnout, grief, trauma, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves or others.
Some clients come with a clear goal, while others simply know that something feels difficult or “stuck.” Therapy can provide space to slow down, understand what is happening more deeply, and explore practical ways forward.
What can counselling help with?
I work with individuals and couples across a range of concerns related to emotional, relational, and sexual wellbeing.
This includes:
anxiety and stress
trauma and difficult past experiences
relationship conflict and communication difficulties
emotional disconnection in relationships
affairs and rebuilding trust
low or mismatched sexual desire
painful sex and sexual anxiety
pornography-related distress or compulsive sexual behaviours
erectile difficulties and sexual functioning concerns
shame, self-worth, and identity
grief and life transitions
You do not need to have the “right words” before starting therapy.
What is sex therapy?
Sex therapy is a form of counselling that explores concerns related to sexuality, intimacy, relationships, sexual functioning, and sexual wellbeing.
This may include:
low desire or mismatched desire
difficulty with arousal or orgasm
painful sex
erectile difficulties (erectile dysfunction, premature or delayed ejaculation)
sexual anxiety or shame
pornography-related concerns
emotional and sexual disconnection in relationships
Sex therapy does not involve any physical touch, nudity, or sexual activity in sessions. Conversations move at a pace that feels safe and respectful for you.
Many clients feel nervous before their first sex therapy session. This is very normal. You are not expected to disclose anything before you feel ready.
Do I need to attend sex therapy with my partner?
Individuals and couples are both welcome.
Some people attend alone because they want space to explore their own experiences, beliefs, behaviours, or concerns around intimacy and sexuality. Others attend together to work on emotional and sexual connection within their relationship. When partnered, I do highly recommend couple’s sex therapy as an effective way to support the couple as a sexual team and enhancing sexual wellbeing overall in the couple relationship. However, while recommended, it is not absolutely necessary.
If attending as an individual, where relevant, we may explore involving a partner in therapy in the future, but there is no expectation that both people attend.
What happens in the first therapy session?
The first session is an opportunity for us to begin understanding what has brought you to therapy and what you hope for moving forward.
Some clients arrive with a very clear concern or goal. Others feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or struggle to know where to begin. Both are completely okay.
Early sessions often involve:
understanding your current concerns
exploring relevant background and patterns
identifying goals for therapy
discussing what support may be most helpful for you
My approach is warm and practical. Your goals, comfort, and boundaries are prioritised throughout the process.
What if I feel nervous or uncomfortable talking about personal things?
Feeling nervous before therapy is incredibly common, especially when discussing relationships, intimacy, trauma, or sexuality.
You are not expected to share everything immediately. Therapy is not about forcing disclosure or moving faster than you are ready for. We work collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable and respectful.
Many clients are surprised by how relieving it feels to finally speak openly about something they have been carrying alone.
Is online counselling effective?
Research shows that online counselling can be highly effective for many mental health, relationship, and sexual wellbeing concerns.
Many clients find online therapy:
more accessible and convenient
easier to fit into work and family life
more comfortable than attending in-person
supportive for discussing sensitive topics from their own space
All sessions are conducted online via secure telehealth.
Can therapy help if my partner is unsure about the relationship?
Yes. Couples often begin therapy at different stages of readiness, motivation, or hope.
Sometimes one partner feels strongly committed to working on the relationship, while the other feels uncertain, disconnected, exhausted, or ambivalent. Therapy can provide space to better understand these dynamics, improve communication, and explore what each person needs moving forward.
The goal is not to pressure either partner into a particular outcome, but to support honest, respectful, and meaningful conversations.
What if we keep having the same argument?
Many couples find themselves stuck in recurring conflict patterns where both people feel unheard, misunderstood, criticised, or emotionally disconnected.
In therapy, we often explore:
the cycle underneath the conflict
emotional triggers and unmet needs
communication patterns
ways to rebuild safety, understanding, and connection
Often the issue is not simply the topic of the argument itself, but the pattern the couple becomes trapped within.
Can therapy help after an affair or betrayal?
Affairs and betrayals can deeply impact trust, emotional safety, identity, and intimacy within a relationship.
Therapy can support couples and individuals in:
processing the impact of the betrayal
understanding contributing relational patterns
rebuilding communication and transparency
exploring whether repair and reconnection are possible
navigating grief, anger, shame, or uncertainty
Healing after betrayal is rarely quick or linear, and therapy often involves moving slowly and intentionally through this process.
I think pornography is affecting me or my relationship. Can therapy help?
Yes. Some people seek support because they feel their pornography use has become distressing, compulsive, secretive, or difficult to control. Others seek therapy because pornography is affecting intimacy, trust, desire, or emotional connection within their relationship.
Therapy is not about shame or moral judgement. Instead, we explore the broader emotional, behavioural, relational, and psychological context surrounding the behaviour.
This may include:
patterns of coping or avoidance
stress and emotional regulation
shame cycles
intimacy difficulties
attachment and relationship dynamics
underlying emotional needs
Can therapy include a Christian perspective?
Yes. For clients who would like this, therapy can include exploration of faith, spirituality, values, and the impact these may have on emotional, relational, and sexual wellbeing.
Some clients seek support navigating:
sexuality and faith
shame or purity culture experiences
relationship expectations
sexual intimacy within marriage
identity, values, and beliefs
Clients from all backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences are welcome.
What approach do you use in therapy?
My approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, and collaborative. I aim to create a space where clients feel respected, understood, and supported, while also working toward meaningful and practical change.
Depending on your needs, I may draw from approaches such as:
Trauma-Focused ACT
Compassion Focused Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EMDR therapy
Therapy is tailored to the individual or couple, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Do I need a diagnosis to attend counselling?
No. You do not need a diagnosis or referral to access counselling.
Many people seek therapy simply because they want support, greater understanding, healthier relationships, or a space to work through difficult experiences.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your goals, the concerns you are bringing, and the type of support you are looking for.
Some clients attend for a short-term focused issue, while others engage in longer-term therapy for deeper or more ongoing concerns. Therapy is collaborative, and we regularly review what is feeling helpful and what you may need moving forward.
What if I have never been to therapy before?
Many clients attending therapy for the first time worry about:
saying the wrong thing
not knowing where to begin
becoming emotional
being judged
whether their concerns are “serious enough”
You do not need to prepare perfectly for therapy. Part of the process is creating space to explore what is happening with support and curiosity, rather than pressure or performance.