Uniformed Services & Veterans

Uniformed Services & Veterans

For When You’re Supposed to Be the Strong One

If you’ve spent your working life in the military, emergency services, or another frontline role, chances are you’ve been taught - directly or indirectly - to push things down and crack on. You're expected to hold it together. Get the job done. Be fine.

So what happens when you’re not fine?

When you’re struggling to sleep, snapping at the people you care about, feeling shut down or overwhelmed, or just running on fumes?

What happens when you start thinking "I can’t tell anyone this - they’ll think I’m weak”
Or worse: "What if it gets back to my boss?”

Let me say this clearly:
You’re not weak. You’re human.
And therapy - done right - can help you carry less.

I Know the Culture — Because I Lived It

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent 8 years in the RAF as an engineer.
I know what it means to push through, keep going, and keep quiet — even when things inside feel like they’re unravelling.

I’ve also lived through PTSD. I know what it’s like when your brain won’t switch off. I know what it’s like to cry all the time for reasons you can’t explain — or not be able to cry at all. To wake up night after night from the same recurring nightmare. To feel like you’re constantly on edge, but also completely numb.

That’s why I now work with veterans, police officers, NHS staff, paramedics, fire service personnel, and others who’ve served on the front line.

You don’t need to explain the culture.

I get it.

You just need to bring yourself.

How I Work

I offer therapy that’s:

Confidential – I do write brief notes, but they’re for my eyes only, kept securely, and you’re welcome to read them any time
Private – Nothing is shared with your employer or chain of command.
Straightforward – No jargon, no pressure, and no need to go over the past in detail unless you want to
Trauma-informed – Including the REWIND Technique: a non-intrusive way of processing trauma without having to re-live it
Flexible – We work at your pace, whether you want short-term support or longer-term space to make sense of things

Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, anger, hypervigilance, moral injury, relationship strain, or just a sense of being lost — we can start where you are, without judgement.

You Don’t Have to Keep Carrying It

If you're feeling like you're losing control, shutting down, or thinking “I’m not myself anymore” — it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’ve carried too much, for too long, without support.

You don’t have to unload it all at once.
You don’t even have to tell me everything.
But you can start here — privately, safely, and in your own words.

Common Questions

Will this go on my record? Will my boss find out?
No. What you share in therapy stays between us. I don’t contact your employer, chain of command, GP, or anyone else. I do keep brief notes, but they’re stored securely and for my use only. You’re welcome to see them at any time.

Do I have to talk about what happened?
Only if you want to. You don’t need to tell me the details of your trauma unless you choose to. I work in a way that respects your pace — and if you’d rather work with body sensations, visualisation, or metaphor than words, we can do that too.

I don’t even know what’s wrong. Can I still come?
Yes. Many people feel confused, numb, or like something’s just “off” but they can’t explain it. You don’t need to come in with a clear story. You just need to start where you are. That’s enough.

Is this going to make things worse before it gets better?
It’s a valid fear — but no, therapy doesn’t have to re-open everything at once. I work gently and steadily. We’ll focus on stabilisation, understanding your triggers, and reducing distress before we ever go near anything deep.

What if I break down or cry?
That’s okay. It’s common. Crying isn’t weakness — it’s your body finally letting go of something heavy. You won’t be judged or rushed. I’ve worked with tears, silence, anger, and numbness — it’s all part of the process.

Can I lose my job for having therapy?
No — therapy is confidential. And in many professions, looking after your mental health is seen as a strength. But if this is a real concern for you we can discuss boundaries clearly before you start.

Do you work with people who are still serving?
Yes. I work with both serving personnel and veterans from the Armed Forces, NHS, emergency services, and security roles. Your rank or role doesn’t matter — what matters is that you feel safe here.

Is this therapy going to be soft and fluffy?
No. This is real, grounded work — not endless navel-gazing or talking about your childhood unless you want to. You’re welcome to bring your full self here — frustration, humour, swearing, gallows humour, banter and all. I won’t flinch.

What if I shut down or can’t speak?
That’s okay. It happens more than you’d think. We’ll sit with the silence if that’s where you need to start. I won’t pressure you, fill the gap, or make you talk before you’re ready.

Can I stop at any time?
Yes. You’re in control throughout. You can pause, stop, or change direction whenever you need to. Therapy is something we do with you — not to you.