Therapy, also known as talk therapy, counselling or psychotherapy, involves talking to a trained professional about obstacles in your life, such as everyday stresses and strains through to more debilitating anxieties, trauma or major depression.

It is a well-established and scientifically supported way of helping people to deal with issues arising in their lives.

A typical therapy session lasts 50 minutes and will involve the client bringing up issues that are of concern to them. The therapist offers supporting listening and reflective questions in a process that is aimed at helping the client overcome their obstacles.

This process is intended to help the client see their issue in a new light, or with a new perspective that allows them to tackle their challenges in a way that works better for them.

Typically clients will have weekly sessions for perhaps six to 12 weeks before reviewing whether they would like to continue therapy, perhaps slow down to fortnightly sessions, or take a break completely.

The timing is always up to the client and can be discussed with the therapist during periodic reviews – or at any other time that the client would like to review it.

Choosing a therapist can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never been to counselling. And finding a therapist who you click with is probably the most important factor in getting what you need out of therapy.

The only way to know for sure if you feel a connection with a therapist is to give it a try. I’m happy to arrange a no-commitment 15-minute call so that we can discuss what it is that you want to work on and what your goals are. And if the fit doesn’t feel right, I’m happy to suggest some other counsellors you might like to try.

Please go to the appointments page if you would like to book a chat, or email me if you have further questions.

It is hard to say how many sessions someone will need. Some people feel that three or four sessions are enough to gain the perspective they are looking for. Other people are after open-ended therapy to discuss ongoing life challenges. On average, people probably come for around 12-20 sessions, depending on the range of issues they would like to tackle.

Sessions cost US$150 / HK$1,200 / ¥1,100 RMB / SG$200 / ¥22,500 JPY / £120 per 50-minute appointment.

The first session is offered at half this rate, to allow you to decide if the fit is right for you.

A limited number of sessions at reduced rates are available for people on lower incomes or those otherwise unable to afford these rates. Please email for further details.

I usually offer sessions between 4pm and 9pm during the week.

I do not usually offer sessions at weekends but please email if the time or day you would prefer is not available.

I currently only work online. If you would prefer to see a therapist in person, please have a look at the Links section for some other resources available in Hong Kong.

This is largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to be in the comfort and privacy of their own home when talking to their therapist and like the convenience of not having to travel to an appointment and back. Other people prefer an in-person experience.

Perhaps the most important consideration if you opt for online sessions is to make sure you’re in a space where you can enjoy total privacy and won’t be interrupted (either by other people or devices).

Most of us will have had the experience of working or communicating online in recent years, but if not, try to make yourself familiar with Zoom. If you would prefer to use another platform, please let me know.

Please make sure you are in a place with a good internet connection and where you can talk privately without being interrupted, especially by colleagues or children. Ideally, this would be a quiet space at home.

To maximise the time available in the session, it is recommended that you are online and ready to start a couple of minutes before the appointment is scheduled to begin to ensure that everything is working with your computer and internet setup.

It is recommended to use a desktop, laptop or tablet with a connection of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload speed. You can check your connection with a free service such as speedtest.net.

You can use a mobile phone if you prefer, but it can be harder for both the therapist and the client to communicate, which can affect the quality of the relationship and the work you are engaged in.

Everything discussed between you and your therapist is confidential.

On very rare occasions, a therapist may break confidentiality but this would only happen if they considered that the client or someone else was in danger or at risk of serious harm, or if the therapist were ordered by a court to disclose what had been discussed. Please be reassured that this is extremely rare.

Therapists are required to see a supervisor to ensure standards are maintained and make sure they are acting ethically. Aspects of client sessions may be discussed in these supervisions, but the identity of the client is always anonymous and details of the client-therapist relationship are only discussed in general terms so as to protect the client’s anonymity.

I studied at King’s College, Cambridge as an undergraduate, completing my studies in social and political science.

After many years working in journalism, I studied for a Master of Counselling with Monash University, based in Hong Kong taught by lecturers from Melbourne, Australia.

I completed my clinical placement with St John’s Counselling Service in Central.

I went on to complete a Master of Science in Psychology in a programme run by Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and the City University of Hong Kong.

I am also very interested in neuroscience. Just before the pandemic struck in 2019, I started a master’s in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College, London. Unfortunately, I had to put this on hold during the pandemic, but I plan to return to it.

I hold memberships in the following professional associations:

• British Psychological Society - Graduate Member no. 529472

• British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy - Registered Member no. 00922675

• British Neuroscience Association - Postgraduate Masters Member no. 29900469

• American Psychological Association - Postgraduate Member no. C2103038585

I work from a broadly person-centred, humanistic approach but am also very interested in the existential perspective as well as the neuropsychological aspects of psychological distress.

In other words, I offer a compassionate and non-judgemental space to explore the challenges you are experiencing. Sometimes that might be struggling to identify what gives your life meaning.

Other times it might involve recognising the way that lifestyle choices may be getting in the way of your goals through the changes that occur at a neurobiological level.

Your first session or two usually involves you and your therapist getting to know one another. There is often quite a lot of discussion about your recent and past experiences and what has brought you to therapy.

It can be helpful to write down any questions you may have before you come to the first session, as it is easy to forget these things when taking in everything new during these first couple of sessions.

No, you do not need a referral. You can book a session through the appointments page.

You will need to check with your insurance provider to see if counselling is covered under your policy. Sometimes insurance companies only offer coverage for appointments with a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist (see FAQ below if you’re not sure of the difference).

I do not offer direct billing with insurance companies but can provide a receipt if you would like to claim on your insurance plan.

Please check with your insurance firm to see if counselling or psychotherapy is covered under your policy.

This is one of the most common questions people have about therapy and don’t feel like you should know the answer!

Broadly speaking, a therapist is a general term that can include all of the other terms (counsellor, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist etc).

A counsellor is someone whose job it is to offer supportive listening, and has usually studied some of the techniques known to help people experiencing distress. Strictly speaking, anyone can call themselves a counsellor, but these people have usually studied at least to a diploma level and sometimes to the master’s level. In the UK, counsellors are usually registered with the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).

A coach is usually someone who is equipped with skills aimed at suggesting changes that a client might want to try to tackle issues that they are encountering. This tends to be a more solution-focused and directive approach than counselling.

A psychologist is a protected term, meaning that only someone who has studied at a higher level (usually a doctorate) can call themselves a clinical psychologist or counselling psychologist. Given the extra study required for these roles, psychologists will usually be trained to deal with more serious types of psychological distress. Clinical psychologists, for example, will often conduct assessments or diagnoses.

A psychotherapist is also not a protected term but is usually someone who has studied at a higher level and is able to offer support with a particular theoretical approach. This role has substantial overlap with the role of counsellor and the titles are sometimes used interchangeably.

A psychiatrist is someone who has studied medicine and is involved in diagnosing mental illness, often prescribing medication. Only psychiatrists (or GPs/family doctors) can prescribe medication. Sometimes psychiatrists will also offer talk therapy, but this is not always the case. Psychiatrists will often work with more debilitating types of mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia etc.

A psychoanalyst is someone who has undertaken studies in psychoanalysis, which is a very specific therapeutic model based on the theories and work of Sigmund Freud. This involves trying to help clients tap into their subconscious mind to access repressed memories and emotions, often from early childhood.

There’s no such thing as ‘serious enough’ for therapy. If something is troubling you or you would like to discuss a challenge in your life with someone other than your partner or friend, then it’s a valid issue to bring to therapy.

One of the most common reasons that people come to therapy is a feeling of ‘stuckness’, or being in a rut, or of things not being quite right. This kind of malaise can present a serious obstacle to people getting on with their lives. Anything that is serious enough to have brought you to read this question is certainly enough to bring to therapy.

If you are having suicidal thoughts and especially if you are concerned that you might act on them, you can call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at your nearest hospital.

The Samaritans operates a free 24-hour suicide prevention hotline in English and Cantonese on 2896 0000.

The Suicide Prevention Service also operates a 14-hour hotline on 2382 0000.

The Hospital Authority also offers a 24-hour Mental Health Hotline on 2466 7350.

I operate within the ethical framework of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

In essence, these guidelines outline the way in which therapists should put clients first by practising in a trustworthy way, respecting the client's right to be self-governing, being committed to promoting the client's well-being and to avoiding harming the client.

At the moment, I only work with adults on a one-on-one basis. I plan to offer couples therapy in the future

Supervision is a process designed to maintain standards in the counselling profession. It involves one therapist meeting regularly with a peer, usually someone with more experience than them, to reflect on their practice. This process is designed to ensure that the therapist is adhering to their ethical framework and aware of any blind spots in their work and that they are exercising self-care. It is a process that is aimed at improving the quality of the work they are both involved in.

Client confidentiality is maintained through strict anonymity. Both the therapist and the supervisor act within an ethical framework bounded by client confidentiality. Any discussion of what has happened in client sessions is anonymous and kept as vague as possible in order to avoid any risk of identification.

No, I cannot prescribe medications. In Hong Kong, as in many parts of the world, only medically qualified doctors can prescribe medications. In Hong Kong, this would usually be a psychiatrist or GP/family doctor.

You can find links to some Hong Kong medical practices in the Links page.

Nothing from your sessions will be given to your doctor unless you explicitly request or agree to the content being shared.

The only exception would be if your therapist considered that there existed a serious threat to your personal safety, or that of another person, by not disclosing aspects of the session.

Due to limited session availability, we ask that you give at least 24 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel a session if you would like to avoid forfeiting the cost of the session.

If a session is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance, the full session fee will be charged.

If you are late for an appointment, it will still end at the scheduled time. This is to ensure that sessions for all clients are able to start on time.

If I have overrun as a result of an emergency with another client, the full session time will be offered, if possible, or you will be given the option of rescheduling, if you prefer.

Fortunately, this happens very rarely, but it does happen.

I do not offer free sessions, but am happy to have a free 15-minute call with you if you would like to have a no-commitment chat before booking your first session.

To book a chat, go to the appointments page

I operate within the ethical framework of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Their complaints procedure can be found here.

If you would like to send a testimonial or just some feedback, you are welcome to email me. I am always keen to hear what your experience of therapy has been.

People often take some time to decide if therapy is right for them, or if the choice of therapist is right, or if the timing is right. It’s ok not to know. And it’s ok to take your time.

I’m very happy to arrange a free 15-minute chat if you would like to ask any questions or to see how we get along before committing to booking a session.

To book a chat, please go to the appointments page