About me
Hello, I’m Libby. I’ve been practicing as a therapist and counsellor for 17 years, following a career in radio and television—a part of my life that taught me that one of the greatest gifts we can give to others is to truly listen, to the stories people tell and to the emotions beneath the words. In a world which so often is fast-paced and exhausting, the feeling of being genuinely heard can be life changing.
My own path to developing my potential wasn’t always easy, and I know what it’s like to sit with uncertainty, pain, or change. That’s part of what brought me to this work. For the past 17 years, I’ve supported individuals and couples in navigating life’s challenges and finding more fulfilling ways to live. I hold a Diploma in Counselling from the University of Southampton and I’m a Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
Over the years, I’ve developed a particular interest in the emotional patterns that form when people grow up needing to be strong, self‑sufficient or invisible in order to stay safe. I often work with clients who feel a push‑pull around closeness — wanting connection but fearing it — or who have learned to shape themselves around others’ needs. My work is grounded in attachment, relational trauma and the ways our bodies hold our histories.
People often come to therapy knowing that something isn’t quite right — that life could feel better, even if they’re not sure exactly what needs to change.
Whether you’re seeking support individually or as a couple, I believe we all have the capacity to change and grow, and that sometimes what is needed to start the process is a different perspective from someone with a fresh pair of eyes and ears.
Who I work with
Many of the people who come to me are strong, capable and outwardly coping, while privately feeling overwhelmed, unseen or unsure of who they are allowed to be. They may have learned to avoid conflict, keep the peace or put others first. Some feel like outsiders in their own families; others carry the impact of early emotional inconsistency, chronic illness or intergenerational patterns that still shape their relationships today.
I work with individuals and couples who want to understand these patterns and begin relating in ways that feel safer, more mutual and more grounded.
My Therapeutic Approach
My approach is relational, warm and attuned. I pay close attention to what happens between us in the room — including the subtle ways someone might distance, shut down, seek reassurance or hold back. These movements often tell us more about our emotional history than words alone.
I work with both the emotional and the physical. Many people carry their experiences in their bodies — through tension, pain, shutdown or overwhelm — and part of our work is helping you reconnect with your internal signals and develop a sense of safety within yourself, an important skill for individuals as well as couples.
I draw on a range of approaches to help you understand the younger parts of you who still shape your reactions today. Together, we explore how old patterns once protected you, and how you can now begin to choose something different.
How I work
I offer a confidential space where you can safely talk about your difficulties and explore new ways of relating to yourself and your loved ones. I don’t set out to fix you but to help you discover your own capacity for personal growth and change.
Common themes I work with
These themes can surface in your life as Anxiety, Depression, Difficulty in relationships, Trauma and post-traumatic stress, Anger issues, Midlife crisis, Low self-esteem and more. Counselling can help you gently untangle these knots and find more fulfilling ways of living.
- Fear of abandonment or rejection
- Conflict avoidance or difficulty expressing needs
- Feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions
- Chronic illness, disability, pain or medical trauma
- Identity loss or self‑erasure in relationships
- Intergenerational trauma or complex family dynamics
- Shame around vulnerability or emotional expression
- Feeling like an outsider in family or culture
- Wanting closeness but fearing it
My location
I see clients online and in my therapy room at my home on Locksway Road in Southsea.
My home is wheelchair accessible; there’s a Blue Badge parking space just outside and a path with a gentle slope up to the front door. The door itself has a low threshold. The bathroom and therapy room are both on the ground floor.
Please let me know if you need help opening the door or if there are other adaptations that I could offer, e.g forms and worksheets in large font or flexible session lengths to mitigate fatigue or pain etc.
Working with Chronic Illness and Disability
I welcome clients who live with chronic illness, disability or long‑term health conditions. I understand how these experiences can shape identity, relationships and emotional wellbeing, and I work in a way that is sensitive to fluctuating energy, medical trauma and the complex feelings that can arise around dependence, autonomy and the body.
Therapy is a space where all parts of your story — emotional, relational and physical — can be held with respect and understanding.
Fees & appointments
How Appointments Work
Appointments are usually arranged on a weekly or fortnightly basis, though we can discuss a rhythm that suits your needs. Each session lasts 50 minutes—or an hour for couples counselling—and takes place either in person or online, depending on your preference. If you need to reschedule, please give at least 24 hours’ notice so that the time can be offered to someone else.
Fees
Payment is made by bank transfer before each session and I’ll send you the details once we’ve confirmed the appointment. The current fee is £55 for individuals and £70 for couples. Fees remain the same for the duration of our work together.
I appreciate that our lives are complicated and I aim to be flexible when life’s problems get in the way.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of for coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right person to help. You can also call me on 07881 623081 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Confidentiality and Personal Information
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of counselling. What you share in sessions is treated with respect and privacy. I will not disclose information without your consent, except in rare circumstances where there is a legal or ethical duty to do so (for example, if there is risk of serious harm to yourself or others). We can discuss these boundaries together so you feel clear and safe about how your information is handled.
When we’ve agreed to meet, I’ll ask you to complete a few brief questions about your contact details, your full address and the name of someone who I may contact in case of emergency. These details are stored securely and destroyed when we complete our work together. I’m also registered with the Office of the Information Commissioner for data protection purposes.
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