Individual Counselling in Wokingham
Denmark Street, Wokingham, Berkshire | Online & Telephone Counselling
“My Counselling helps individuals to regain their sense of agency and control; to release tension and trauma; to feel a sense of sanity and calmness”
Individual therapy provides a confidential, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a qualified professional. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or life transitions, therapy offers an opportunity to develop new perspectives, build effective coping strategies, and create meaningful change.
I work with adults and young people across Wokingham, Berkshire, and online throughout the UK. My approach combines evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, and solution-focused techniques, tailored to your unique situation and goals.
How Individual Counselling Can Help You
Understanding Your Experiences
Therapy is not just about solving problems—it is about making sense of what has happened to you, whether recent events or experiences from your past. I help clients understand how their history shapes their present whilst discovering new ways of living that are not defined by past difficulties.
Building Practical Skills
Through our work together, you will develop concrete strategies for managing difficult emotions, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, and responding to life’s challenges with greater confidence and clarity.
Creating Meaningful Change
My goal is to help you build the capacity to navigate life on your own terms, creating a life that feels meaningful and satisfactory across relationships, work, personal development, and wellbeing.
Common Issues I Address in Therapy
As an integrative therapist in Wokingham, I work with clients experiencing:
- Anxiety and Worry Managing overwhelming thoughts, panic attacks, social anxiety, and constant worry through CBT and DBT techniques for emotional regulation.
- Depression and Low Mood Finding ways to reconnect with meaning, purpose, and energy when life feels heavy or empty.
- Men’s Mental Health I have particular experience supporting men with issues including anger management, emotional expression, relationship difficulties, work stress, and the unique pressures men face. Many men find it easier to open up to a male therapist in a space free from judgment.
- Relationship Patterns and Communication Understanding why certain patterns keep repeating in your relationships and learning healthier ways of connecting with others.
- Trauma and Difficult Life Events Processing traumatic experiences, grief, loss, and other challenging events that continue to affect your daily life.
- Self-Esteem and Confidence Building a stronger, more compassionate relationship with yourself and challenging self-critical thoughts.
- Life Transitions and Stress Navigating career changes, relationship shifts, becoming a parent, retirement, or other major life transitions whilst managing overwhelming stress.
- Goal Setting and Personal Growth Clarifying what you want from life and creating actionable steps to achieve meaningful goals, even when you are not in crisis.
My Therapeutic Approach
Integrative and Evidence-Based
I draw from multiple therapeutic approaches to create a flexible, personalised treatment plan:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Practical techniques for understanding and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and managing intense feelings
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Goal-oriented strategies that focus on your strengths and future possibilities
- Person-Centred Therapy: Creating a warm, accepting relationship where you feel truly heard and valued
- Psychodynamic Approaches: Exploring how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence your present
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings whilst taking action towards your values
Tailored to You
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. During our work together, I pay close attention to what resonates with you, what helps you make progress, and what feels authentic to your situation. Some clients benefit from structured CBT exercises, others need space to explore feelings, and many need a combination of approaches.
Collaborative and Practical
Therapy works best when we collaborate as a team. You are the expert on your own life and experiences; I bring professional training, therapeutic skills, and an outside perspective. Together, we identify patterns, explore new ways of thinking, and develop strategies you can use in your daily life between sessions.
What to Expect in Individual Therapy Sessions
A Safe, Confidential Space
Individual counselling provides dedicated time to focus entirely on yourself without the distractions and demands of daily life. Many clients find that this protected space allows them to gain clarity and insight they would not find elsewhere. If we meet in person, the sessions will happen at the Wokingham Therapy Clinic.
The Therapeutic Process
First Session: We explore what has brought you to therapy, what you hope to achieve, and begin building our therapeutic relationship. There is no pressure to share everything immediately – we move at your pace.
Ongoing Sessions: We work collaboratively to understand your patterns, develop new coping strategies, and create practical changes. Sessions are a balance of exploration and action, reflection and skill-building.
Between Sessions: Therapy does not stop when our session ends. I may suggest exercises, reflections, or skills to practise between appointments, helping you integrate what we discover into your daily life.
Regular Reviews: We check in on your progress, adjust our approach as needed, and ensure the work continues to feel meaningful and helpful.
Practical Information for Therapy in Wokingham
Location Options
In-Person Sessions Wokingham Therapy Clinic, Denmark Street, Wokingham, Berkshire – a comfortable, confidential space designed specifically for therapeutic work. Easily accessible from Reading, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Woodley, and surrounding areas. The rooms are walking distance from Wokingham Train Station if needed and the nearest car park is on Denmark Street.
Online Therapy Secure video sessions via professional healthcare platforms, offering the same quality of therapeutic support from anywhere in the UK.
Telephone Sessions Maximum flexibility for those who prefer phone counselling or have mobility constraints.
Session Structure
- Standard Sessions: 50 minutes
- Extended Sessions: 80 minutes (for deeper exploration when beneficial)
- Frequency: Weekly appointments (recommended for consistency) or flexible scheduling based on your needs
Availability and Fees
- Daytime and some evening appointments (no weekend sessions)
- Fees: Individual therapy sessions start at £65
- Reduced rates available for those facing financial difficulty
Booking Options
Regular Weekly Slots: Same day and time each week, providing consistency and structure to your therapeutic journey.
Flexible Ad Hoc Appointments: Book sessions as needed to fit your schedule, though regular attendance typically leads to better outcomes.
Taking the First Step: Free Consultation Call
I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel daunting. That is why I offer a free 10-15 minute introductory call with no obligation or pressure.
What We Will Discuss:
- What you are hoping to achieve through therapy
- Whether my approach feels right for your needs
- Any questions about the therapeutic process
- Whether we can build the trusting relationship essential for effective work
- Practical details about sessions, scheduling, and fees
This consultation helps us both determine whether we are a good fit before committing to therapy. Not every therapist suits every client, and finding the right match matters.
Why Choose Individual Counselling?
You Do Not Need to Be in Crisis
Many people assume therapy is only for severe mental health problems. In reality, therapy supports anyone wanting to:
- Understand themselves better
- Navigate life transitions more smoothly
- Improve their relationships
- Build emotional resilience
- Live more authentically
- Break unhelpful patterns
- Achieve personal goals
The Investment in Yourself
Individual therapy is an investment in your future wellbeing. It creates space to understand your experiences, develop effective coping strategies, and build the life you want to live. The skills and insights you gain continue benefiting you long after therapy ends.
Working with a Male Therapist
As a male therapist, I recognise the unique barriers that men often face when seeking help. Many men find it easier to open up in a therapeutic space led by someone who understands masculine socialisation, emotional suppression, and the pressures society places on men. My practice welcomes men who are ready to explore their emotions without judgment or expectation.
Ready to Start Individual Counselling in Wokingham?
If you are considering therapy, that curiosity itself often signals readiness for change. Whether you are dealing with specific difficulties or simply want to understand yourself better, I am here to support your journey.
Contact Me Today:
Phone: 07585 119298
Email: [email protected]
I typically respond within 24 hours and am happy to answer any questions about how individual therapy works, what to expect, or whether counselling might be right for you.
Book your free consultation call today and take the first step towards the change you are seeking.
Further Reading and Resources
Interested in learning more about therapy approaches? Explore these related pages:
- Relationship Therapy in Wokingham – Couples counselling and relationship support
- Clinical Supervision – Professional development for therapists
- About Michael Lipo – My qualifications and therapeutic philosophy
- Therapy Blog – Insights on mental health and therapeutic techniques
Michael Lipo is a registered integrative therapist & counsellor providing individual therapy, couples counselling, and clinical supervision in Wokingham, Berkshire, and online across the UK. Specialising in CBT, DBT, anxiety therapy, depression counselling, and men’s mental health.
I have questions about Counselling
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If you are asking this question, you are already showing the self-awareness that makes therapy effective. Individual counselling can help if you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or simply want to understand yourself better and live more intentionally.
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many clients come for personal growth, relationship improvement, or support during life transitions. The free introductory call provides an opportunity to explore whether therapy feels right for your current situation.
What if I don’t know what to talk about in therapy?
This concern is completely normal, especially at the beginning. Many people worry about “doing therapy wrong” or not having enough to say. Part of my role is to guide conversations and create space for whatever is on your mind—even if that is uncertainty about what to discuss.
Sometimes the most valuable sessions emerge from exploring what feels difficult to put into words. You do not need to prepare, perform, or have a list of topics. Just showing up as you are is enough.
How long does therapy normally take?
This varies significantly depending on your goals, circumstances, and the complexity of what you are working on. Some clients find meaningful benefit in 6-12 sessions of focused work, whilst others prefer longer-term therapy spanning months or years.
We will discuss your aims during our initial conversation and regularly review progress together. You remain in control of how long you continue—there is no pressure to commit to a specific timeframe. Therapy ends when you feel ready, whether that is after achieving specific goals or reaching a natural conclusion.
Is everything I share completely confidential in therapy?
Yes, everything you discuss in therapy is strictly confidential. I am bound by professional ethics and GDPR regulations to protect your privacy.
The only exceptions are rare situations involving:
- Immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or others
- Child protection concerns
- Legal compulsion via court order
These situations are extremely uncommon, and I would always discuss concerns with you first where possible. Full confidentiality details are available in my Privacy Policy.
What’s the difference between online therapy and in-person therapy?
Both formats offer equivalent quality of therapeutic support, and research shows online therapy is equally effective for most issues. The choice often comes down to personal preference and practical considerations.
In-Person Benefits: Dedicated therapeutic space away from your daily environment; some people find face-to-face connection more comfortable; no technical issues to navigate.
Online Benefits: Greater flexibility; no travel time or costs; accessible from anywhere in the UK; can attend from the privacy of your own home.
During our introductory call, we can discuss which option suits your circumstances and preferences. Some clients alternate between formats depending on their schedule.
What happens if I don’t feel we’re a good fit?
The therapeutic relationship is crucial for effective work. If you feel we are not the right match, we can discuss this openly—it is a normal and acceptable part of the process, not a failure on anyone’s part.
I can help you identify what might work better and, if appropriate, suggest other therapists in Wokingham or Berkshire who might suit your needs more effectively. Your wellbeing matters most, and finding the right therapeutic relationship is essential to that.
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below.
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