On paper, you look like
you’ve got it sorted.

You’ve tried the usual self-help fixes, but the heavy feeling doesn't change.
sick of pretending it’s all fine when you’re running on fumes?

whats really going on

The fatigue of living
on borrowed scripts.

From an early age we absorb silent rules about who we “should” be —
until we mistake them for our own voice. In daily life, that usually shows up in a
few specific ways.

• the "Imposter" loop:
Even when you achieve something great, it feels hollow — like a performance, not a reflection of you.

• Chronically drained:
Your exhaustion isn’t just from a busy schedule — it’s the sheer energy it takes to keep the mask on 24/7.

• You’ve lost your compass:
Faced with a big choice, your first instinct is “what am I expected to do?” — not “what do I actually want?”

• You watch every word:
Swallowing frustrations and filtering opinions and boundaries just to keep the peace and keep everyone else comfortable.

• The midnight spin:
Your mind won’t shut off — reviewing how you performed today and worrying about how you’ll handle tomorrow.

the approach

Real talk. dropping the script.
finding your actual voice.

Therapy shouldn’t feel like a clinical interrogation or an exam you're trying to pass.
I practice from a humanistic, relational lens. That's just a professional way of saying I don’t view you as a
problem or diagnosis to be fixed, but as a whole human being with a real history, culture and background.

your brain is not broken. you can drop the mask here.

a conversation between equals

No clinical silence, no academic theories thrown at you. We get curious about your stresses and your patterns together, side by side.

honesty over comfort

We'll gently challenge the old scripts and habits keeping you stuck. It’s an active, collaborative process.

tracing the borrowed rules

We gently pin down the deep “I must” and “I should” beliefs you carry — and whose voice they actually belong to.

finding your real ground

We catch the instant you move into performance and help you land back in your body. Radically authentic - Building a life aligned with who you actually are, not feel you are supposed to be

focusing on the present

We look at the root causes, but we keep our feet on the ground. What can you actually do differently now to catch your breath?

dropping the filter

You don’t have to watch your language or clean up your thoughts. You show up exactly as you are.

meet joel

a real person in the room.

Hi
I’m an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist. Long before I trained, I found myself being someone people could come to when they needed a grounded honesty, steadiness, and someone who would really listen.My own therapy was a turning point. Sitting with someone who met me with presence and compassion helped me navigate some of the most challenging moments and through it I’ve taken control of my life. That experience didn’t just change me — it clarified my path. It’s why I’m here, doing this work.I now bring together humanistic, Gestalt, and person centred approaches to create a space that’s grounded, real, and shaped around you. I always begin with the person in front of me. My aim is to help you feel safe enough to explore what’s happening in your life and supported enough to move toward what matters.I bring my full, unvarnished human self into our sessions—my warmth, my directness, and a completely honest space. I believe that you’re capable of finding your own way once the noise clears. The messy parts, the angry parts, and the thoughts you usually hide away to keep others comfortable are all welcome here.— joel,

The professional ground I stand on

My professional training is rooted in a Gestalt informed, integrative approach. I completed a Professional Diploma in Counselling at The Albany Centre, where I trained extensively in humanistic and relational practice. Alongside this, I spent time gaining my qualifying hours in a community counselling placement, working with clients navigating identity, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions — experience that continues to shape the way I work today.I practise within strict professional and ethical frameworks, including those set by the NCPS, and I engage in regular clinical supervision to ensure safety, depth, and accountability in the work. Confidentiality and ethical integrity are central to my practice.Outside the therapy room, I work for a PSA accredited counselling body, contributing to professional standards, member support, and organisational development. Before becoming a therapist, I spent over a decade in project management and leadership roles across business and the charity sector, including work in debt advice, legal support, and homelessness services.I also hold a 2:1 degree in Business Psychology from the University of London, specialising in research into mental health in the workplace — an area that continues to inform my understanding of stress, burnout, leadership, group processes and organisational dynamics.

the practical stuff

let's see if we click.

My way of working is intentional and relational, and it won’t be the right fit for everyone — which is exactly how therapy should be. I work best with clients who feel energised by this kind of space.You might feel at home in this work if:Traditional or passive therapy left you feeling stuck, unseen, or boxed inYou’re neurodivergent, feel you have to perform or mask, or want a safe space to explore who you are beneath all thatYou want a therapeutic journey that feels alive, active, and deeply humanYou’re driven and committed to grow, evolve, and uncover your truest self

You don’t need to prepare anything before reaching out — simply show up as you are.
A free 15-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk, get a feel for each other, and see whether working together feels right.
No pressure, no obligation.

session investment format

50 minutes £65 per session in person or online

A limited number of reduced-rate sessions (£45) are available during daytime hours for people out of work
or facing financial hardship. If cost is a barrier, please just ask.Leave a note below or email me at [email protected] and I'll get in touch

the authentic path:
counselling with joel

Therapy that meets you where you actually are.

On paper, you look like you’ve got it sorted.

the practical stuff

session investment format

On paper, you look like
you’ve got it sorted.