Counselling & Psychotherapy in Brighton and Hove, and online across the UK
Chronic Illness Counselling
Compassionate support when lliving with illness changes your life
Living with chronic illness can be difficult in ways that aren't always visible
A space to talk about the emotional impact of illness, diagnosis, uncertainty and change.
Living with a chronic or long-term health condition can affect much more than your physical health. It can change how you see yourself, your relationships, your work, your independence and your hopes for the future.
You may be dealing with a recent diagnosis, ongoing symptoms, treatment, uncertainty or changes to the life you had imagined.
Sometimes the emotional impact of illness can be difficult to explain to other people, particularly when your condition isn't visible.
Counselling offers a confidential space where you can talk openly about what you're experiencing and explore what you need as you adjust to changes in your life.
When illness changes your life
A diagnosis or ongoing health condition can bring uncertainty, fear, frustration and grief. You may find yourself adjusting to changes that other people don't always see or understand.
You might be struggling with:
- Anxiety about your health or the future
- The emotional impact of a new diagnosis
- Grief for the life you expected to have
- Changes to your identity or sense of self
- Fatigue, pain or reduced independence
- Difficulties in relationships
- Changes to work or everyday life
- Feeling isolated or misunderstood
- The pressure of managing ongoing treatment or appointments
- Supporting someone else while managing your own emotions
There isn't a right or wrong way to respond to chronic illness. Therapy can provide time and space to explore what your experience means to you and what you need now.
A space to be heard
Talk openly about your experiences, feelings and concerns in a confidential and supportive space.
Living with uncertainty
Explore the anxiety, fear, frustration and uncertainty that can come with diagnosis and ongoing health conditions.
Finding your way forward
Make sense of changes to your identity, relationships, work and everyday life, and explore what matters to you now.
How can counselling help you?
There is no single way to respond to chronic illness. You may feel frightened, angry, exhausted, frustrated, isolated or overwhelmed. You may also find yourself grieving for aspects of your life that have changed.
You might want to explore:
- anxiety about your health or the future
- adjusting to a new diagnosis
- changes to your identity or sense of self
- grief and loss
- fatigue, pain or reduced independence
- relationships and communication
- changes to work and everyday life
- feeling misunderstood or unseen
- the emotional impact of treatment and medical appointments
- supporting others while managing your own health
Therapy isn't about telling you how to live with your condition or offering medical advice. It is a space to explore your own experience, at your own pace, and to understand what might help you navigate
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Health conditions and life experiences I can support you with
Sessions and Fees
Cost: £65
Session Length: 50 minutes
Availability:
I offer long term/open ended and short term sessions.
Please contact me to find out my availability, get a sense of me, and see if working together feels right for you. I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, grief, or big life changes, I offer a free 15‑minute call to see if working together might help.
Location
I offer counselling in Brighton & Hove with step free access, as well as online across the UK.
Online therapy can be particularly helpful when travelling is difficult because of fatigue, pain, treatment or other health challenges. You can access therapy from a place where you feel comfortable and have the flexibility to fit sessions around your circumstances.
Book your free 15 minute call
Ready to Begin?
Please use the form beflore to contact me for counselling and psychotherapy in person in Brighton, Hove, or online or on the phone across the UK.
-You can also book your free intro call and consultation or ask me any questions.
-Or feel free to contact me using WhatsApp, text, or call me on 07792 209037.
-Email: info@ashorecounsellingandtherapy.com
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Urgent Support
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need urgent mental health support, use the services below (please note some are local to Brighton and Hove, or Sussex)
NHS 111 (24/7)
Call 111 and select the mental health option for round-the-clock crisis support.
Samaritans (24/7) 116 123
For anyone in distress, suicidal, or needing emotional support.
samaritans.org
Shout Text Support (24/7)
Text SUSSEX or SHOUT to 85258 for free
confidential support from trained volunteers.
Staying Well Service (Brighton)
Out-of-hours mental health crisis support for adults (18+).
- Weekdays: 5pm–10:30pm
- Weekends: 3pm–10:30pm
The Wellbeing Hub, 18 Preston Park Avenue, BN1 6HL
- 0800 023 6475
- stayingwell.brighton@southdown.org
- southdown.org/services/staying-well/
A&E – Royal Sussex County Hospital
For psychiatric or medical emergencies.
Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE
Other Helplines
- SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (4pm–10pm)
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141
Counselling Enquiries
I usually reply within 24 hours to any enquiries.
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