Helen Fairburn

At times, life can feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. This might be in response to a specific life event, a change in circumstances, or for reasons that aren’t always clear. When you’re struggling, it’s common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, confused or stuck - unsure of where to begin or what to do next.

Whatever has brought you to consider therapy, I believe we all have the capacity for change and personal growth. Counselling can support in making sense of your experiences, helping you move forward and feel more like yourself again.

My approach is gentle, collaborative and tailored to you. I aim to create a space where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings openly. Alongside feeling heard and understood, therapy can also be a space for growth. Together, if it feels helpful, we may look at patterns or beliefs that could be holding you back, helping you develop new perspectives and move forward in a way that feels right for you. This is always done with care, and at a pace that feels comfortable.

I offer both in-person and remote sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays. My practice is based in the Clifton Moor area of York, with free parking and accessibility for those with limited mobility.

I understand that accessing counselling - especially for the first time - can feel daunting, and that finding the right therapist is important. If you are thinking about starting therapy, you are very welcome to get in touch to arrange an initial conversation and see whether working together feels right for you.

If you decide to begin counselling, sessions are £50 for a 1-hour appointment. I ask that each session is paid for by BACS at least 24 hours in advance.

Sessions are usually held weekly, on the same day and time each week. We can think together about how many sessions you may need. We will regularly review how things are going, so that you can end your sessions when you feel ready, or continue if you feel further support would be helpful.

I understand that sometimes you may need to cancel or re schedule an appointment, or decide not to continue with counselling. I kindly for at least 24 hours’ notice where possible. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed sessions, may be charged at the full session fee.

In our first session, we’ll explore your reasons for seeking counselling in a little more detail, so that we can begin to more deeply understand what you would like to gain from the counselling process. We will also go through the counselling agreement, which outlines how we will work together, including things like confidentiality and boundaries. This helps us to create a clear, supportive and collaborative space for our work together, and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions.