Feeling unsure about starting therapy is completely normal. Many people wonder if their problems are “big enough” or if they’ll know what to say once they begin. The truth is, you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. Therapy can help you explore those uncertainties at your own pace. You might be ready if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, or simply curious about understanding yourself better. Beginning therapy in Sudbury or online can be the first step toward feeling calmer and more grounded in your life.

It’s very common to arrive at a session and feel unsure of where to begin. You don’t need to plan what to say - it’s my job to help you find the words. Sometimes we start with how your week has felt, or what brought you here in the first place. Therapy in itself can help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface. Even silence or confusion can be useful - it often points to what feels difficult to express. Over time, you’ll find it easier to put your thoughts and emotions into words.

Feeling anxious before your first therapy session is entirely natural. Many people in Suffolk tell me they worry about saying the “wrong” thing or not knowing what to expect. You don’t need to prepare anything - your only job is to show up as you are. Before we begin, you’ll have time to settle in and ask any questions. I’ll explain how sessions work and make sure you feel comfortable. It’s very common to feel a sense of relief once the first session starts and you realise you’re in a safe, supportive space.

Not necessarily. Therapy doesn’t always focus on childhood - it depends on what’s most relevant for you. Some people find it helpful to explore early experiences if they still influence how they think or feel today, while others prefer to stay focused on what’s happening right now. If you’re coming for anxiety therapy in Sudbury or online, we’ll work collaboratively to decide what’s most useful. You’re in control of what you share, and we’ll always move at a pace that feels safe for you.

No - therapy is a judgment-free space. You can talk openly about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of criticism. My role is to listen with empathy and curiosity, not judgment. Everyone has moments they’re not proud of or times they’ve struggled to cope. Many people find that speaking these things out loud helps release shame and self-doubt. In my counselling practice in Sudbury, I focus on helping clients feel safe enough to be completely honest, knowing they’ll be met with understanding.

Sometimes therapy brings up emotions you’ve been holding onto for a long time. As you start to talk about painful memories or patterns, you may notice stronger feelings at first. This can feel uncomfortable, but it’s often a sign that real healing is beginning. In our sessions, I’ll support you to move through those moments gently and at your own pace. The goal isn’t to feel worse - it’s to process what’s been overwhelming so it can finally ease. Many people find that, over time, therapy helps them feel lighter, calmer, and more in control.

Your first online therapy session is a chance for us to get to know each other and talk about what’s brought you to counselling. You don’t need to prepare anything - it’s completely fine if you’re unsure where to start. I’ll guide the conversation gently and explain how online sessions work so you feel comfortable from the beginning. Many people find that even one session brings a sense of relief - it’s often the first time they’ve been able to speak openly without having to filter their thoughts. You’ll finish the session with a clearer sense of how therapy can support you and what we might focus on together.

There’s no set timeframe because everyone’s needs and goals are different. Some people start to feel a shift after just a few sessions, while others find therapy most helpful over several months. It depends on what you’re working through and how deep you want to go. We’ll regularly check in about your progress so you can see what’s changing. Whether you’re working on anxiety, self-esteem, or emotional regulation, therapy is a process of gradual, lasting growth rather than quick fixes.

The number of sessions varies depending on your goals, the depth of what you’re exploring, and your circumstances. Some clients in Suffolk choose short-term counselling to focus on a specific issue, while others continue longer term to support ongoing self-development. I usually recommend starting with six sessions and then reviewing how things feel. You’re always in control of how long you stay in therapy - we’ll make those decisions together based on what’s working best for you.

You might notice that you feel calmer, sleep better, or handle difficult moments with more steadiness. Sometimes therapy helps you see situations differently, or you find yourself being kinder to yourself without realising it. Progress isn’t always dramatic - often it’s those small shifts that signal deeper change. In online counselling, we’ll regularly reflect on how things are going and adjust our focus as needed. You’ll always have space to share what’s working for you and what isn’t, so therapy continues to feel supportive and relevant to your life.

It’s completely normal to question whether therapy is working, especially if progress feels slower than you expected. Sometimes change happens quietly - you might not notice shifts until you realise you’re reacting differently to something that once felt hard. If things ever feel stuck, we’ll talk about it together. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and I’ll adapt my approach to make sure the sessions stay meaningful for you. Honest feedback is always welcome - it helps us make your online counselling as effective and supportive as possible.

It’s really common to have tried therapy before and left feeling like not much changed. Maybe it felt too focused on analysing the past, or you found yourself talking in circles without things actually shifting. What I offer is a little different.

This approach is modern, evidence-based, and rooted in mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rather than trying to “fix” your thoughts or dig endlessly into old stories, we focus on awareness - learning how to notice what’s happening underneath the worry without getting swept away by it. Together, we start to slow things down. You begin to understand the patterns that keep anxiety going - the self-criticism, the overthinking, the pressure to hold everything together. As you learn to relate to those thoughts and sensations differently, the noise starts to quieten. From

there, change begins to feel more natural and lasting - not forced.

Counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. Counselling tends to focus on specific challenges in the present, while psychotherapy often explores patterns that have developed over time.

In practice, the two overlap a lot. In online therapy, I blend both approaches depending on what you need - whether that’s understanding long-standing patterns or finding new ways to manage everyday anxiety and overwhelm.

Yes - research consistently shows that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions for most issues, including anxiety, low mood, and stress. Many people even find it easier to open up from the comfort of their own space.

I offer secure video sessions where we can see and speak to each other just as we would in person. The flexibility of online counselling also means you can attend sessions from anywhere, without travel time or extra stress.

The most effective therapy for anxiety isn’t about forcing calm or learning endless coping tools - it’s about understanding what’s happening underneath the surface. Anxiety therapy works best when it helps you recognise the patterns that keep you in survival mode - the racing thoughts, the tight chest, the fear of getting things wrong - and teaches you how to respond differently. In our online sessions, we use a blend of mindfulness, ACT, and person-centred therapy. You’ll learn how to slow your body’s stress response, step back from anxious thoughts, and reconnect with what’s really important to you. Over time, you’ll start to feel less ruled by anxiety and more able to move through life with clarity and calm. It’s not about learning to live with anxiety - it’s about no longer being led by it.

It’s a good idea to ask about a therapist’s training, approach, and experience with anxiety-related issues. You might also want to know how online sessions work and what kind of support is available between them. Starting therapy is a big decision, and asking questions helps you feel more confident about your choice. I’m always happy to explain how I work so you can see if it feels like the right fit for you and your goals.

Yes - anxiety and depression often overlap, and therapy can help you manage both together. We’ll look at how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours interact, using mindfulness and ACT-based tools to build emotional flexibility and self-compassion. Through online sessions, you’ll learn ways to recognise unhelpful patterns and create more balance in your day-to-day life. Over time, therapy can help reduce the intensity of both anxious and low moods while improving your overall sense of wellbeing.

Yes, therapy can be really helpful if driving anxiety is affecting your confidence or daily life. We’ll explore what’s happening in your body and mind when the fear appears, and I’ll help you learn calming techniques to manage those physical and emotional reactions. Online therapy can also provide a safe space to talk through any past experiences or thought patterns linked to driving. With time, you’ll begin to rebuild trust in yourself and feel more in control behind the wheel.

Absolutely. Overthinking often comes from a place of fear and self-doubt - your mind is trying to keep you safe by anticipating every possible outcome. In therapy, you’ll learn how to notice and step back from these thought loops instead of getting caught in them. Using mindfulness and ACT-based techniques, I’ll help you recognise what’s within your control and gently let go of what isn’t. Over time, this can reduce mental exhaustion and help you feel calmer, clearer, and more present.

People-pleasing often develops as a way to feel accepted or avoid conflict, but it can leave you feeling drained and unseen. In therapy, we’ll look at the beliefs and fears that keep this pattern in place - such as the worry that saying no will make you seem selfish or unkind. Through online sessions, I’ll support you to build confidence in setting boundaries and expressing your needs. You’ll learn that you can care for others without losing sight of yourself, creating more balance and self-respect in your relationships.

Many people struggle with boundaries because they’ve spent years putting others first or avoiding conflict. Therapy helps you understand the deeper patterns behind that - the guilt, fear of rejection, or need to keep the peace that can make it hard to say no. In online sessions, we explore what healthy boundaries actually look like for you and how to express them with confidence. You’ll learn how to notice when you’re over-extending yourself, communicate your needs

clearly, and handle discomfort without slipping into self-blame. Over time, you begin to feel calmer and more in control of your energy and relationships.

When everything feels “too much,” your body is usually signalling that it’s in survival mode. Therapy can help you slow down enough to understand what’s actually happening underneath the overwhelm - the thoughts, fears, or pressures driving the intensity. In our online sessions, we’ll work with both mind and body. You’ll learn grounding techniques to help you calm the physical stress response, and gentle mindfulness skills to create space around racing thoughts. As you begin to recognise early signs of emotional overload, you’ll feel more able to pause, breathe, and respond with steadiness instead of panic.

A racing mind often shows up when you’re anxious or under constant pressure to get things right. The more you try to “switch off,” the louder it becomes. Therapy helps by teaching you how to step back from those thoughts instead of fighting them. In online sessions, I’ll guide you through mindfulness-based techniques that help you notice thoughts without getting pulled into them. You’ll also learn how to calm your nervous system so your body and mind can finally slow down together. Over time, you’ll begin to experience quiet moments of stillness - the kind that remind you you’re not your thoughts.

You can book your first online counselling session by getting in touch through the contact form on my website. Once you’ve shared a few details, I’ll send you information about availability and next steps. Alternatively, you can book a free 15 minute call through my calendar link below. Before we start, you’ll have a short consultation to make sure this approach feels right for you. From there, we’ll arrange a regular time for your sessions. Everything is handled online, so you can start therapy from wherever you feel most comfortable.

I don’t currently have the capacity to offer concessionary or reduced-rate sessions, but this is something I hope to introduce in the future. I understand that therapy is an investment, and I want it to remain as accessible as possible. Please keep an eye on my social media pages for updates about low-cost online counselling options as they become available. In the meantime, if cost is a concern, we can discuss the frequency of sessions or flexible scheduling to help make therapy more manageable.

I’m not able to offer ongoing support between sessions, which I understand can feel difficult at times - especially when emotions feel intense or you’re working through something challenging. Keeping communication within scheduled online sessions helps us maintain a safe, contained space for reflection and progress. This also gives you the opportunity to practise the coping skills and grounding techniques we discuss in therapy. If you ever feel you’d benefit from extra support, we can talk about adjusting the frequency of your sessions or exploring strategies that help you feel steadier between them.

Absolutely. Therapy doesn’t have to rely only on words. Sometimes creative expression - such as journaling, art, or music - can help you access emotions that feel too difficult to describe. Online therapy provides the same opportunity. You can share what you’ve created or simply talk about the meaning behind it. Using creative methods in counselling can help you connect with feelings on a deeper level and discover new ways to understand yourself.

Therapy can feel like a big investment, especially when finances are tight. The cost reflects the years of professional training, supervision, and ongoing development that ensure your therapist can provide a safe, ethical, and effective service. When you invest in therapy, you’re also investing in your own long-term wellbeing. Many clients find that the clarity, self-understanding, and emotional steadiness they gain continue to support them for years after therapy ends.

Yes - therapy isn’t only for crisis or severe mental illness. Many people start counselling simply because life feels heavy or

overwhelming. It can help you manage daily stress, improve relationships, and find a greater sense of balance. In online sessions, we’ll look at the patterns that keep stress building - overthinking, people-pleasing, or constant self-pressure -

and learn how to create more calm and clarity day-to-day. Therapy is about improving quality of life, not just coping with difficulties.

Finding a therapist who feels right for you is an important part of the process. You’ll want someone who understands how these experiences affect both mind and body, and who can help you feel safe enough to explore what’s been happening underneath the surface. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, and grief, using a gentle, evidence-based approach that helps you process emotions at your own pace. In online sessions, we’ll look at how these challenges show up day to day - whether that’s constant overthinking, emotional exhaustion, or difficulty moving forward - and begin to build the steadiness and clarity you’ve been missing. It’s about finding a therapist you can trust and a space that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood.