Kirsty Taylor

I work Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday early morning and afternoons face to face. I work evenings in person on a Monday until 10pm, and can do sessions on a Thursday and other evenings online. 

Counselling is a confidential space to talk about and explore any issues that are causing you difficulty in your life. This can be something that has been troubling you for a while, or something that’s happened recently. Whatever it may be, counselling is a talking therapy that lets you have time and space to explore.

I am a humanistic, person- centred counsellor, meaning I believe you are the expert in your own life, and that my role is to walk alongside you, helping you discover the strategies, tools and coping mechanisms that exist within you. I offer a totally non- judgemental space and the time is there to do what you want to with it; some weeks you may want to sit in silence, to work creatively to express yourself, to cry, to talk.

My desire is to understand and empathise with what you are going through, to give you as much time as you need to explore what’s going on for you and to work together to provide some answers. I use integrative methods as appropriate, so there may be times when it feels useful to use things from other counselling methodologies.

I work openly and honestly and aim to have a transparent relationship. We will have informal reviews, where we can both talk openly and safely about how things are going and if you are happy. A lot of the real work in therapy comes with being able to have honest conversations in a safe space.

In couples therapy, I provide a space  to explore what you both want, and how to get you there. I also offer discernment counselling for those situations where the relationship may no longer be viable, but you want some assistance in how to end the relationship. Couples counselling is usually shorter term and more focused.

I understand that it can feel overwhelming to ask for help. I aim to provide a relationship that is healing, helpful and equips you with the tools, greater understanding and knowledge of yourself to live your life in the way that feels best for you.

I work from various settings in and around Didsbury and West Didsbury. The spaces are private, confidential and with good access and availability that should suit your needs. I am happy to find additional spaces further afield if you have any particular needs or are in a location a little further away , and would be more than happy to have an informal discussion about this before we begin. I also work online regularly. 

The first session is about us getting to know each other, and to have space to ask any questions you may have, or talk about any fears or worries around counselling. It can be useful to find out a little about what brought you to counselling too, although I understand it can feel very difficult to open up to a stranger when you first meet, so we go at the pace that you are comfortable with.

I am able to offer a free 30 minute introductory phone call  for us to have an initial chat and decide if we want to go ahead. It is really important that you feel comfortable, and absolutely ok if you decide not to go ahead. Counselling is an individual journey, and you usually know if you feel comfortable and safe. Equally, I will let you know if I don’t feel I am the right therapist for you as it is important we both feel we can work together.

It is preferable to do our first session face to face, but I understand this is not always possible due to busy lives and caring responsibilities, so we can have a phone or a zoom video call also. I am happy to work in the evenings and early mornings if this is helpful. I usually explain a bit about the type of therapy I offer, how it might be to work together and what you can expect from me. Primarily, I aim to offer a safe and confidential space for you to talk about anything at all that you need to. Often, people like a bit of time and space to think about working together after an initial meeting, and that is no problem. I work at your pace and understand that it can be a big step to decide to start the counselling journey. 

Couples counselling is usually more structured and short term work, and involves a more directive approach.

If you feel happy and you would like to begin working together, we would fill in a simple contract together, go through some formalities around confidentiality and safeguarding, and gather some background information. We would then begin our journey together.