Andrea McPherson

I currently have some availability on Friday and Wednesday afternoons. 

My usual practice hours are all day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. 

If seeking one-at-a-time therapy or single-session therapy, I can offer sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.

People often come to counselling when they feel overwhelmed, stuck in familiar patterns, or unsure about an important change in their lives. You might be struggling with anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-confidence, or the lingering effects of past experiences. Sometimes clients arrive with something very specific they want to work through; at other times, there is simply a sense that something doesn’t feel right.

I aim to offer a counselling relationship that is shaped around you. I listen carefully to your preferences for how we work together while supporting a process of meaningful reflection and change.

My approach is integrative, drawing on a range of counselling and psychotherapy perspectives. In particular, I blend person-centred and trauma-informed approaches to help you navigate emotional and relational difficulties at a pace that feels manageable.

Our sessions are collaborative, supportive and encouraging. I bring an emotion-focused, neuroscience-informed understanding of how trauma and stress can affect the body and mind.

I approach my work with openness and humility, allowing myself to be shaped by what I learn from my clients. My aim is to offer an affirming therapeutic relationship where you can feel respected and understood, even where our life experiences or perspectives may differ. 

Many of my clients are women in early adulthood or mid-life who find me through word-of-mouth recommendations. However, I welcome enquiries from people of all backgrounds and life stages who may be facing a personal crisis or looking for support during a difficult time.

I work with individual adults and young adults aged 16+. I do not currently offer couples counselling.

Sessions are usually weekly or fortnightly and can take place in person from my home counselling room or online. I also offer telephone sessions and, where appropriate, email-based therapy.

My counselling room is based in my home. There is a small step at the front entrance (which can be managed with a ramp), and the space is otherwise wheelchair accessible. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss accessibility or any other practical considerations.

My hope is that our first contact leaves you feeling reassured that reaching out was the right step.

Before booking a full session, I usually offer a 30-minute exploratory call (£20). This gives you a chance to get a sense of me, ask any questions, and see whether the way I work feels like a good fit for you. There is no obligation to continue afterwards.

If you decide to go ahead, I will send you my counselling agreement to read in advance. In our first session we can talk through it together, clarify anything that feels unclear, and adapt it where needed so that it supports the way we work together. Over time, clients have helped shape this agreement and I value the collaborative process it creates.

The rest of the first session is simply a space for us to begin. Some people arrive needing to talk freely and unburden themselves; others find it harder to know where to start. Both are completely welcome.

You can expect me to listen carefully, check my understanding, and gently explore your thoughts, feelings, and bodily responses where this feels helpful. Sessions usually last 50 minutes, which can sometimes feel as though the time passes quickly. As our work develops, we will aim to slow things down so that you feel increasingly comfortable and in control of the process.

If at any point you feel that I may not be the right therapist for you, we can talk about this openly.