Therapy & Counselling
Why choose AJ Goodlad?
A forest scene with browns and greens. AJ sits on an old stone wall covered in moss, a root grows into the wall length ways. In the far distance sits AJ's dog.
Some examples of what clients have brought to sessions:
Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Suicidal Thoughts, Abuse, Guilt, Shame, Sensory Overwhelm, Loss, Burnout, Dysphoria, Masking, Unmasking, Making Sense of a Diagnosis Later in Life, Chronic Illness, CPTSD,Communication Differences, Kink, Health and Surgical Considerations, Polyamory, Ethical Non Monogamy, Coming Out, Transphobia, Homophobia, Biphobia, Queerphobia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Fatphobia, Self harm, Ableism, Misogynynoir, Transmisogyny, Tranopause, Plurality, So called 'Conversion' Practices, So Called 'honour' Based Violence, HIV/AIDS, Dissociative Disorders (DID), Bereavement, Borderline Personality (BPD), Hallucinations, Disordered Eating, Psychosis, Loss of Self, Relationship Issues, Identity, Workplace issues, Conflict, Grief, Historic Childhood Abuse, Sexual Violence, Domestic Abuse, Carer Responsibilities, Parenting, Religious Harm, Agoraphobia, Understanding Neurodivergence Diagnosis, Uni life, Relocation, Alienation…
If you can't see what you want to work with written here, you are most welcome to
I’m classically Person-Centred in my approach, working long and short term with clients (18+). You as my client set the pace and timing (weekly sessions, fortnightly, or more frequently as you require). I’m non directive (i.e. you choose what to talk about in sessions) and I offer regular reviews.
My relationship with you will be genuine, as you process any thoughts, feelings and life's experiences. I won’t tell you what to do, but I will be there to support you with any concerns or worries. I will be working for you to feel safe, within an empathic space, for you to explore as you need in sessions. I will offer you unconditional acceptance, warmth, and a genuine non-judgmental relationship
Experienced in working with clients from differing communities, intersections, sexualities, gender spectrum, neurotypes and trainee therapists and counsellors. I am affirming and sex positive.
Contacting a stranger can be daunting. Perhaps this is your first time considering therapy, or maybe you’re already experienced in accessing therapeutic support. Either way, I offer a free 15 minute call for you to ask any questions and get a sense of each other. I won't put you under pressure to work together. You may decide to start working together then, or take your time to choose after our call. It's up to you.
You may prefer a full 30 minute assessment (which is charged). This is an option to spend more time together, for you to talk about what’s brought you here and learn about my way of working.
Ongoing weekly/fortnightly online meetings are on 'Sessions' (Psychology Today platform), Telephone, or Therapeutic Email. Face to face meetings are via 'Walk and Talk' on the South Downs during Spring and Summer months. Clients can choose which works best for them, often with a mix to meet changing needs.
'Single Session Therapy' (SST) can be ideal for clients who have a specific issue, question or dilemma, perhaps with little time, or simply just not wanting to engage in the therapeutic relationship for longer. Upon booking, you'll receive a form via email, supporting you to prepare for your session. Once sent back to me, I'll begin preparing for your session. At our agreed meeting time, we will converse about your chosen topic. After our 50 minute session, I will send you a form to support you with your reflections and processing. Here our relationship ends. Please note, SST is intentionally planned as a single meeting. But if you feel you need additional support following our SST, we can look at recontracting, e.g. another SST, or other longer term options.