Welcome to Ashore Counselling and Therapy

Helping you navigate life's challenges

About Me

Hi, I’m Fiona.

I support people through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic illness, major life changes or diagnoses, and moments when life feels overwhelming, heavy, messy or stuck, helping them find clarity, strength, and a way forward.

I’m a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist (PGDip with distinction, BACP-Level 7) with a master’s degree in psychology. I offer both short-term counselling and longer-term therapy, in person in Brighton & Hove, or online across the UK.

As well as offering sessions privately, I currently work at the Phoenix Therapy Practice, where I offer low-cost counselling, and with The Brain Tumour Charity, providing free sessions for anyone affected by a brain tumour — whether patients, family members, or carers.

Meet me and find out more about me in this short video

My approach is compassionate, and down-to-earth, and tailored to you, drawing on both professional training and real-life experience. Whether you’re coping with a life changing diagnosis, navigating menopause, exploring your identity, or seeking space to heal from past experiences, I can help you navigate challenges with resilience and renewed hope.

Before training as a therapist, I spent 20 years in the police as an intelligence analyst, and also worked across public and private sectors. Those experiences brought me into contact with people from diverse areas of society and deeply shaped the way I work today — with empathy, respect, and a strong commitment to ethics and confidentiality. It also sharpened my attention to detail, helping me to notice things others might overlook — a skill I now bring into therapy to support each person as a unique individual.

I’m a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and take part in regular supervision and continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure I offer the best support possible.

• BACP Registered Member- MBACP 414867

• PGDip in Humanistic Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 7) - Distinction (University of Brighton)

• MSc in Forensic Psychology (University of Leicester)

• BSc Hons (Dunelm) in Psychology (University of Durham)

• DBS Enhanced Certificate

• Grief and Bereavement Training- Counselling Tutor

• Working with Clients affected by Brain Tumours- The Brain Tumour Charity

• Suicide Awareness Training- NHS

• Safeguarding Training- various, regular CPD

• Data Protection and Security- various, regular CPD

My Approach

I see each of us as unique — navigating life, relationships, and choices in our own way.

At the heart of what I do is connection — I listen deeply, validate your experiences, and make sure you feel supported and heard.

My role is to to be alongside you, offering a safe, collaborative space where you can just be yourself and explore what matters most to you.

I won't tell you what to do or keep you in therapy longer than you need

What I Bring

I bring real-life experience, compassion, respect, curiosity, and a down-to-earth style. I listen closely — not just to your words, but how they’re said and what’s left unspoken.

I also gently challenge alongside compassion, helping you notice patterns that might be holding you back.

My role is to then to support you to develop your own tools and explore new possibilities.

How Counselling Can Help You

Many people come to therapy feeling broken, stuck, or confused — and these feelings are completely natural and valid. Therapy is a space to be heard, understood, and accepted, as well as a place for growth. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, build resilience, and discover hope along the way, helping you find a path forward and create new meaning in your life.

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s absolutely normal to feel uncertain. I offer a free 15-minute introductory chat so you can ask questions and see if it feels like the right fit. The first session is a chance to get to know each other, clarify what to expect, and take that first step, comfortably, at your pace.

Why Work With Me?

Many of my clients choose to work with me because they are looking for:

• Support after a cancer or major health diagnosis

• Guidance through menopause or health-related life transitions

• Help coping with trauma or PTSD (including frontline workers, police, NHS staff and first responders)

• A safe, inclusive space as part of the LGBTQIA+ or neurodiverse community

• Therapy that feels real, grounded and human

We explore how your early life experiences may have shaped who you are today and how patterns from the past might show up in relationships, behaviours, and emotional responses. Understanding these patterns can help you gain insight, break unhelpful cycles, and make choices that feel authentic to you.

People come to me for help a wide range of issues and unique experiences. Please feel free to reach out even if you don’t see your particular situation mentioned below. Together, we can explore how my expertise aligns with your specific needs.

Some common areas I work with include:

Stress, anxiety, or panic attacks

Relationship problems

Grief, loss, or bereavement

Trauma or abuse

Menopausal or health-related transitions

Cancer diagnosis or chronic illness

Depression

Problems with confidence or low self-esteem

Family or workplace challenges

Exploring sexuality or gender identity

Burnout

Retirement transition

Separation and Divorce

Dreamwork

This list isn’t exhaustive — your experiences are unique, and together we can explore the support that’s right for you.

Sessions

Length: Sessions are usually 50 minutes long and held once a week, though this can be flexible depending on what works best for you.

Location: I offer sessions in person (in Brighton or Hove) to people in Sussex and the surrounding areas, online, or by phone serving the whole of the UK— whichever feels most comfortable and convenient for you.

Availability: Weekly, with flexibility where needed. Please contact me to find out my current availability.

Free initial consultation: There is a free initial 15 minute session to give us a chance to meet and see if working together feels right for you.

Fees

Cost: £65 per session - reduced rates are offered for counselling students, as well as online or telephone appointments.

Payment: In advance via BACS

Cancellations: I may require 7 days’ notice for in person cancellations, otherwise I ask for 48 hours' notice.

I try to be as flexible as possible and realise life can sometimes get in the way.

Contact me: To book a session or find out more, please feel free to get in touch — I’ll be happy to answer any questions

Get in touch

If you’re looking for counselling in Brighton, Hove, or online across the UK, I’d be glad to hear from you. You can also WhatsApp, text, or call me on 07792 209037. I’m happy to answer any questions or arrange a first session so we can explore whether counselling feels right for you.

Some frequently asked questions

In our first session, we’ll explore what’s brought you to therapy and what you’d like to get from it. You don’t need to have all the answers—therapy is about discovering them together. We’ll agree on how our sessions will work so you know what to expect, and we can check in regularly to make sure it’s feeling helpful. I usually schedule a review every six weeks, giving us a chance to reflect on your progress and adjust things if needed, so you always feel supported and understood. Click here to find out more

Counselling can be really helpful when you’re facing a specific issue or challenge and want to work through it in a focused, short-term way. Over a number of sessions, we explore what’s happening, gain clarity, and often find practical ways forward.

Therapy usually takes a deeper, more exploratory approach. It’s about understanding patterns, underlying life issues, or long-standing difficulties that affect your wellbeing. This can take longer and the number of sessions is often more flexible, depending on your needs.

Which approach is best really depends on you and what you’re facing. Some people find short-term counselling is enough, while others benefit from ongoing therapy. Sometimes the line between the two is flexible, and we can work together to find what feels right for you.

That really depends on you—your needs, your goals, and what feels helpful. Some people find short-term counselling is enough, while others benefit from longer-term therapy. We’ll talk about this in our first session and check in regularly as we go along. You’re always free to pause or stop therapy whenever it feels like the right time for you.

Everything you share in our sessions is private. That’s one of the main things that makes therapy different from talking to a friend or family member. Over time, as you get used to the weekly sessions and the safe space they offer, you’ll often find that being able to speak openly and in confidence is incredibly freeing.

I follow the ethical guidelines of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which means I am committed to confidentiality, professionalism, and working in your best interests. There are a few rare situations where I might need to break confidentiality—usually if there’s a risk of serious harm to you or someone else. Even then, I would aim to discuss this with you first. These situations are very uncommon, and for most people, what you share stays between us.

Yes, I do. Online sessions are fully secure and offer the same safe, supportive space as meeting in person. I also offer sessions by phone if that feels easier for you. My aim is to create a comfortable, welcoming environment wherever we meet—so whether it’s from home, by phone, or at the practice, you should feel able to relax and be yourself.

I usually aim to offer an initial session within 1–2 weeks. After that, we’ll agree a regular weekly time that works for you and fits with my availability. How quickly your ongoing sessions can begin will depend on whether I have a regular slot free at that time. If your preferred time isn’t immediately available, I can add you to my waiting list and let you know as soon as a space opens up.

It’s completely normal to feel unsure and starting therapy is a big step. We can take things at a pace that feels right for you, exploring what you need without any pressure. Starting therapy doesn’t commit you to a long-term process—you’re just seeing if this space feels supportive, safe, and useful for you. For an informal chat to discuss this further please feel free to get in touch

My fee is £65 per session, and payment is made in advance via BACS. I ask for a week’s notice if you need to change or cancel an appointment, but I realise life can sometimes get in the way, so try to be as flexible as possible. If appointments are cancelled without sufficient notice, the session will be charged in full.