Graham Allen

I qualified as a Counsellor in 2001 - experience isn’t always the most important aspect of choosing who to work with but it does mean that I have been actively involved in many scenarios that bring clients to therapy. Most are looking to alleviate suffering at some level. The quality of relationship with the counsellor is one of the best predictors of outcomes in therapy, so this is important to you as a client and why an initial assessment session is a good way forward. As well as being a therapist I remain actively involved in league sport, cycle daily and am involved in mentoring

Men may not be obviously drawn to counselling and psychotherapy with so much emphasis on emotions, feelings. Many are schooled in supressing emotion in favour of action. Men may find it a challenge to open up to other men. But in my experience there is a huge relief if they can find a trustworthy ally. My route to training was slightly different to many therapists and through a long time playing team sport at league level I feel I am more than aware of the needs to display control, power, dominance which cannot simply be dismissed due to changing times.

An initial session payable at the normal rate but as a stand alone assessment is the best way to start , both us can meet and get a feel of whether we can work together