Simon Vizard

馃彸锔忊�嶐煂� Queer-Affirming Counselling with Lived Experience

I'm Simon, a 53-year-old Gay Counsellor with 12+ years of experience supporting LGBTQ+ clients through shame, sexuality, grief, anxiety, and relationship challenges.

I offer a safe, non-judgemental space where you don鈥檛 have to explain yourself鈥擨 get it. My lived experience means I bring intuitive, affirming support that many clients say feels different from anything they鈥檝e tried before.

If you've hesitated to reach out, you're not alone. You're welcome here.

I provide confidential, non-judgemental support for people facing challenges, crises, trauma, and sensitive life transitions. My approach is person-centred and non-directive, creating a safe space where you can explore your experiences, find your own answers, and set new goals.

I have extensive experience working with issues around sexuality, sexual confusion, shame, relationship challenges, homophobia, and other sensitive topics. As a member of the Queer community, clients often say I bring an intuitive, understanding, and supportive perspective that can feel different from what they have experienced elsewhere.

Many clients come to me when navigating: loss and endings, sexuality and self-acceptance, relationship challenges, stress, anxiety, and depression, shame and sexually related difficulties. Clients often describe me as: caring, encouraging, open, supportive, and direct yet sensitive.

In addition to talking therapy, I also offer mindfulness practice, garden therapy, and pet therapy 鈥� my friendly dogs are often part of sessions for those who find comfort in animal companionship.

In our first session, we鈥檒l take time to get to know each other. I鈥檒l explain how person-centred therapy works, outline boundaries, and answer any questions you may have. This first meeting is also a chance for you to share what brings you here, and to see if I feel like the right therapist for you, and if I can support you in the way you need.

I believe progress is deeply personal. For some, it鈥檚 shown through regular attendance and steady change; for others, it鈥檚 the confidence to take what we鈥檝e explored and continue their journey independently with new awareness and peace of mind.

Homework is sometimes part of our work together. This could be journaling, reframing thoughts, or trying a simple exercise between sessions. It鈥檚 always tailored to your needs, explained clearly, and never judged if it doesn鈥檛 get done.

Why I Love Being a Therapist. 

Witnessing clients create meaningful change in their lives when they are ready, and hearing about their amazing successes along the way.

More about me: 

Outside of therapy, I enjoy a wide range of activities that keep me connected to both people and nature 鈥� from cooking, gardening, and spending time with animals (especially my dogs) to travel, conservation, and being outdoors. I also love swimming, badminton, horse riding, yoga, and mindfulness, and on rainy days you鈥檒l often find me with a good book or film.

Hi, I am Simon. I provide confidential, non-judgemental support for people facing challenges, crises, trauma, and sensitive life transitions. My approach is person-centred and non-directive, creating a safe space where you can explore your experiences, find your own answers, and set new goals.

I have extensive experience working with issues around sexuality, sexual confusion, shame, relationship challenges, homophobia, and other sensitive topics. 

As a member of the Queer community myself, clients often say I bring an intuitive, understanding, and supportive perspective that can feel different from what they have experienced elsewhere.

Many clients come to me when navigating: loss and endings, sexuality and self-acceptance, relationship challenges, stress, anxiety, and depression, shame and sexually related difficulties. Clients often describe me as: caring, encouraging, open, supportive, and direct yet sensitive.

In addition to talking therapy, I also offer mindfulness practice, garden therapy, and pet therapy 鈥� my friendly dogs are often part of sessions for those who find comfort in animal companionship.

Why I Love Being a Therapist

Witnessing clients create meaningful change in their lives when they are ready, and hearing about their amazing successes along the way.

My Interests & Joys

Outside of therapy, I enjoy a wide range of activities that keep me connected to both people and nature 鈥� from cooking, gardening, and spending time with animals (especially my dogs) to travel, conservation, and being outdoors. I also love swimming, badminton, horse riding, yoga, and mindfulness, and on rainy days you鈥檒l often find me with a good book or film.

I'm a Person-Centred Counsellor with a career spanning both corporate and therapeutic settings. Before retraining in counselling, I spent years in a senior Employee Relations role at Intel, supporting employees through bereavement, illness, redundancy, and other major life events.

As part of my counselling qualification, I worked with Swindon Men鈥檚 Sexual Health, where I supported clients with issues around sexuality, gender identity, HIV, anxiety, and depression. At my own private therapy practice, I provide a safe and confidential support to clients navigating a wide range of sensitive and life-changing challenges.

What It's Like to Work with Me

In our first session, we鈥檒l take time to get to know each other. I鈥檒l explain how person-centred therapy works, outline boundaries, and answer any questions you may have. This first meeting is also a chance for you to share what brings you here, and to see if I feel like the right therapist for you, and if I can support you in the way you need.

I believe progress is deeply personal. For some, it鈥檚 shown through regular attendance and steady change; for others, it鈥檚 the confidence to take what we鈥檝e explored and continue their journey independently with new awareness and peace of mind.

Homework is sometimes part of our work together. This could be journaling, reframing thoughts, or trying a simple exercise between sessions. It鈥檚 always tailored to your needs, explained clearly, and never judged if it doesn鈥檛 get done.