Counselling Support in Lytham & Burscough
Life can bring challenges that feel overwhelming to face alone. Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to talk openly, gain perspective, and begin to move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
With decades of experience and a foundation in social work, I offer counselling grounded in empathy, understanding, and practical support.
What is Counselling?
Counselling is about creating a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly and honestly about whatever is going on in your life. At my counselling practices in Lytham and Burscough, I provide a comfortable environment and a non-judgmental approach, giving you the reassurance that what you share will be treated with respect and confidentiality.
Over many years of working with clients across different contexts and challenges, I have developed a mature, practical counselling approach that people often find both enabling and liberating. Counselling can help with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, loss, or simply a sense of feeling stuck.
There are different styles of counselling. Some are purely person-centred, where the focus is on listening and encouraging you to reach your own conclusions. While this can be helpful, many people find it frustrating if they feel they are not being offered “real help.” My style of counselling in Lytham and Burscough is often more guided and solution-focused. If I can see possible changes that may support your wellbeing, I will share them with you openly so that we can explore together whether they may help you move forward.
This means that when you choose counselling with me, you will find a flexible, collaborative process rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all model. The aim is always to help you feel better, gain clarity, and begin a recovery journey that makes sense for you.
What Counselling Can Help With
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Counselling Sessions in Lytham and Burscough: What to Expect
Counselling can be helpful for a wide range of issues. Many clients come with a general feeling of anxiety or low mood that seems to have no clear cause. In these situations, counselling provides the chance to explore whether there is a deeper backstory and, by drawing on other therapeutic models where appropriate, to find strategies that enable you to move forward positively.
For others, the need arises from grief, loss, or trauma. Counselling offers a safe place to normalise, validate, and process your thoughts and feelings. It is common to feel you are “going mad” or to compare yourself unfavourably to others who appear to be coping better. Counselling helps you recognise that your journey is unique and that healing happens best when you can progress at your own pace.
Counselling can also support you during times of significant change — such as a health diagnosis, divorce, retirement, job loss, or another life transition. In these moments, working with an experienced counsellor in Lytham or Burscough can provide perspective, reassurance, and a path towards adjustment and growth. Importantly, counselling isn’t only for crisis points — it can also be an opportunity to reflect, grow, and find greater clarity and peace in everyday life.
Every person brings their own story, challenges, and goals, and so counselling sessions in Lytham and Burscough are shaped around what you need most. Some clients use the time to reflect on current difficulties, while others focus on long-standing issues or recurring patterns in relationships and behaviour. There is no fixed programme — the emphasis is on creating space for you to be heard and to gain new perspective.
Sessions last up to 60 minutes and can be arranged at intervals that suit you. Some people prefer more frequent appointments when life feels particularly difficult, while others choose to space sessions out as they progress. This flexibility allows counselling to fit around your circumstances and needs.
Above all, counselling is a process of exploration. Together, we will focus on your experiences, your feelings, and your goals, working towards greater understanding, resilience, and a stronger sense of direction in your life.
Session Format & Availability
- 1:1 sessions (60 minutes) — in Lytham or Burscough; phone/video available if needed.
- Flexible programme — no set length; we agree the pace together.
- Between-session support — brief contact via email, message, or call.
- Booking options — start with a phone chat or one-off consultation.
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Counselling in Lytham & Burscough: My Approach
My counselling practice is centred on creating a supportive and flexible space where your needs come first. I work primarily on a face-to-face basis in both Lytham and Burscough, as this offers the strongest foundation for building trust and connection. Most sessions are one-to-one, but I also provide relationship counselling and am happy to discuss this option if it feels appropriate for you.
While in-person sessions are at the heart of my approach, I can also offer video or phone counselling as a supplement. For example, this might be a video call between clinic appointments, forming part of the programme we agree together. A counselling session lasts up to 60 minutes, and the format is tailored to what you need most at that time.
Many people find it helpful to begin with an initial discussion by phone, or we can arrange a one-off consultation in clinic to explore your situation and consider the way forward. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, understand my approach, and decide whether counselling with me feels like the right fit.
Above all, my aim is to offer counselling in Lytham and Burscough that is accessible, collaborative, and responsive to your circumstances — whether you are seeking support through a specific difficulty or simply want the space to reflect, grow, and move towards a clearer sense of direction.
Feedback from Local Clients
Russell was recommended to me by a friend, and I will always be grateful to her for this.
Russell has been a great support to me during a very tough time: my husband has been very ill, both physically and mentally: I don’t know how I would have coped without Russell’s assistance: he was able to get my husband out of a deep depression, and to get him to eat some food when he had no inclination to eat at all.
I have also been grateful for Russell’s helping me during this very difficult time.
Wendy
I had 6 hourly meetings with you over a 7month period. I felt comfortable talking and listening to you . I found you very professional and understanding.
My anxiety has improved so much and one of the hardest things was walking through your office door for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect . We chatted we laughed and put the world to rights but more importantly you were fantastic in my hour of need.
If I hear of anybody in a similar situation to me then I won’t hesitate to recommend them to you.
MArk
I wasn’t sure what to expect from therapy but my sessions have been invaluable. Russell has made me feel completely at ease discussing anything that was on my mind. I was able to let my guard down and talk about emotions and memories that I have never been able to speak to anybody else about, which has been a huge relief and helped me to move on.
Russells patience, understanding and guidance has enabled me to be more assertive, confident and to make positive changes. Russell has also helped me not just with my mental health but supported me in getting help with medical issues.
Sandra
You can read more feedback over on my client reviews page…
Lytham & Burscough Counselling - Frequently Asked Questions
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s natural to have questions before you begin. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common queries about counselling in Lytham and Burscough — from what happens in a session to confidentiality and costs. If you’d like to know more, please feel free to get in touch for an initial conversation.
What happens in a counselling session?
A counselling session is a safe and confidential space where you can talk openly about your thoughts and feelings. Sessions last up to 60 minutes and are shaped around your needs — whether that’s exploring anxiety, grief, relationship issues, or life changes. My role is to listen carefully, ask questions, and when appropriate, suggest practical strategies or perspectives that may help you.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is at the heart of counselling. Everything you share is treated with respect and privacy, within clear professional and legal boundaries. At our first meeting, I will explain exactly how confidentiality works so you can feel fully reassured.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
There is no set number of sessions. Some clients find a few sessions enough to gain clarity, while others benefit from longer-term support. We will agree the pace together, reviewing as we go to make sure the process feels helpful.
Do you offer online or phone counselling?
My counselling practice is primarily face-to-face in Lytham and Burscough. However, I also offer phone or video sessions as a supplement if you can’t attend in person or would like additional support between meetings.
What issues can counselling help with?
Counselling can support a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, low mood, bereavement, trauma, relationship challenges, and stress linked to life transitions such as retirement, divorce, or health diagnoses. It can also be a space for personal growth and self-reflection, even when you’re not in crisis.
How much does counselling cost in Lytham and Burscough?
Fees are always discussed clearly in advance so there are no surprises. Each session lasts up to 60 minutes, and payment arrangements can be agreed at the start. Please contact me to find out more about current fees and availability.