General FAQs
When can I get an appointment?
I run appointments between the hours of 10am - 6pm, Monday to Friday, and from 10am - 2pm on Saturdays. For regular clients, or those I'm working with on a longer programme, there are the options of breakfast and evening appointments - strictly by prior arrangment.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book your appointment at a time of your convenience, by clicking on the BOOK NOW option in the menu, and then selecting the type of appointment that you want. You're then given the option to choose a time and date that suits you best. Appointments open up two months in advance.
This is an emergency! Why can't I book for today?
The online booking system doesn't allow for same day bookings for anything other than Discovery Calls. If you'd like to make an urgent appointment, just drop me an email hello@graystonclinic.com and I will respond as swiftly as possible. If I can squeeze you in, I will!
Where can I see you?
For individuals and couples, I provide appointments via video call online, or in person, at The Grayston Clinic in Marlow. You can find the address, directions and parking options on the About The Grayston Clinic page.
For corporate clients, I provide appointments via video call, and will also facilitate sessions at your workplace or at a neutral meeting place as agreed in advance.
I am concerned about privacy when visiting the clinic...
Many of my clients are in a sensitive situation and therefore discretion and privacy are The Grayston Clinic's absolute priority. The clinic is set in a residential area in the heart of Marlow Town Centre. There is no external signage on the door, or any obvious indicators as to the nature of the business. The Clinic itself is a detached building, surrounded on four sides by greenery, and there is no opportunity for conversations to be overheard.
Do you coach from a particular religious perspective?
I am a Humanist, and member of Humanists UK. Humanism is an ethical non-religious world view that emphasises reason, kindness and respect for all who share this planet. Whilst I do not have a religion, I champion and respect others' rights to their beliefs and enjoy working with clients from a broad range of faith backgrounds.
Do you just work with one gender?
I work with human beings. Although I am a cis-het woman, and that is my lived experience, I work with people of all genders, including men, women and non-binary people. It is my belief that regardless of our identity, we all experience human emotions. Within my coaching practice, I view my clients' stories through their personal lens, with an understanding that the policitical and social structures of our society will have a specific impact on their lived experience according to their set of identifiers.
Do you only work with heterosexual clients?
​I work with people of all sexualities, genders and relationship experiences, and I aim to offer a space where you feel respected, understood and welcome.
Do you work with non-traditional relationship structures?
Yes. I believe that a relationship should suit the people that are in that relationship, rather than the people who aren't. Every relationship is unique and as long as all participants in the relationhip are in a position to consent to that structure, and that it is within the law, then I believe they are free to make their own rules together.
Do you discuss intimacy issues?
Intimacy is a huge part of romantic relationships, and I believe it's not talked about nearly enough. If clients are comfortable, I encourage conversations surrounding intimacy - and I don't want my clients to feel that they need to censor themselves in terms of their language or subject matter. I'm pretty unshockable!
Do you work with younger people?
Yes, I work with clients aged 16 and over. If you are 16 or 17, I will usually require written consent from a parent or legal guardian before coaching begins, in accordance with The Grayston Clinic’s terms and conditions.
How do I leave a review?
If you are happy with the services provided, please leave a Google review, or alternatively you can provide a review that will be published anonymously on this website and my social media channels.
I like what you have to say! Where can I read more?
If you enjoy thought provoking posts and short form video, then please follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Alternatively, I send out a quarterly newsletter with a selection of articles you may find interesting. Sign up here!
Couple Coaching
How do you book a Communication for Couples package?
This package is a total of five hours of coaching; a three hour joint session with your partner, and two separate one hour individuals sessions.
Choose the date and time for the joint workshop first, and then make the booking here. Following this, I will send you a link to book your individual sessions, which should take place in advance of the joint session.
If you or your partner feel like you'll need longer for your individual sessions, there is a possibility to extend these within the booking process.
What is the purpose of the individual sessions within the Communication for Couples package?
These individual coaching sessions take place before the joint session. Primarily, these sessions are for each individual to download their thoughts, fears and needs. It is an opportunity to talk candidly about the situation without fear of your partner's reaction, and this process allows you to organise your thoughts and plan for the joint session. Together we set your personal agenda for the joint session and I support you in working out how to frame what you'd like to discuss. It's also an important session for building trust separately with each individual within the couple, so that you both feel safe and understood when you walk into the joint session.
Will you reveal my secrets to my partner?
Absolutely not. Anything we discuss during individual one to one sessions stays strictly confidential, and I will not convey anything you've privately shared when we're in a joint session, unless we have agreed in advance that you'd like me to introduce that topic for discussion with your partner.
We've been to counselling before and it didn't work. Why are you different?
A lot of my clients have already tried counselling or therapy, and in some cases, it didn't work for one or both of them. Therapy and counselling can work brilliantly, but they don't suit everyone - in the same way that coaching works wonders for some but others don't find it the best fit. It's partly down to the approach, but very much down to the practitioner - and whether or not you bond with them. As a coach, I'm practical, directional and interactive, and I am focused on helping you to find solutions. Unlike many couples' practitioners, I build separate independent relationships with each party before begining any joint work.
The best way to decide if my approach will work for you is to have a free video discovery call - we can discuss the outline of your relationship challenges and it will help you to decide if you'd like to work with me! You can book a discovery call here.
My partner is reluctant to participate in couples coaching
I work with a lot of clients who were initially 'therapy averse" and I'm used to scepticism! If your partner is unsure then often the best suggestion is to ask them to independently have a free Discovery Call to decide if they'd be willing to work with me. Unlike many couples' counsellors, I always see clients individually before seeing them jointly, and I believe it is crucial that both parties have an independent relationship with me. The goal is to avoid anyone feeling like they are seeing their "partner's therapist". This approach often helps to minimise any reluctance, but if your partner is still unsure then I do not advise forcing them - any sessions held under duress have a reduced chance of success. I can always see you individually and provide support in that way instead.
Can I see you individually as part of ongoing Couple's Coaching?
Yes. If you and your partner are engaged in ongoing couples' sessions with me, then I will see one or both of you individually as much as you require in between joint sessions.
Needing professional coaching feels like we've failed...
I strongly disagree! The couples who "fail" (in the context of this sentiment) are the ones who didn't try to address their communication, or invest time in working through challenges. If you've found yourself on The Grayston Clinic's sofa, be proud of the effort you are both willing to put in and the respect you are showing for yourself and your partner. We see a personal instructor to improve our physical fitness and to help achieve our goals, so why not invest the same time and energy in the most important relationship in your life?
And just like your fitness goals - the longer you wait to address them - the more work it will require. The most successful clients are the ones who have regular relationship check ins with one another.
Do you only see couples who are married or living together?
I see people in all types of partnership. People who have just met, those who are engaged, having an affair, those who are living together, married, separated or long since divorced.
I also provide Pre-Marriage Coaching to couples who are about to embark on that big step, to help them plan for the marriage, rather than just the wedding.
Do you help couples break up?
My aim is to help a couple stay together, unless one or both of them expresses a desire to separate. Some clients choose to separate during a joint session because the environment, the presence of a third party, and the dedicated, uninterrupted time of a three hour session allows them the opportunity to speak with kindness and clarity. In these instances I work with both parties before, and if desired, after the conversation to help with emotional transitioning.
Can you tell if someone is attending sessions to prove a point?
Yes. Attending a couples' session purely so you can say to your partner "look I did it", or "I tried" but without actually trying to grow, change or resolve something is a waste of your time and money! I'm here to help you, so I urge clients to actively participate in order to get the very best out of the experience.
We are already seeing another type of practitioner - are you ok with that?
Yes of course! Many couples combine coaching with work they do either together or independently with other practitioners. I work in respectful harmony with psychiatrists, grief counsellors, addiction specialists, ADHD coaches, faith leaders and many other types of therapists. If you feel comfortable doing so, I prefer that you disclose what type of practitioner you're seeing, and I may ask you to feedback about the type of work you're doing with them so that my work with you is not counter productive.
Do you work with couples where there are incidences of domestic abuse?
If I am made aware, or have good reason to believe, that an abusive dynamic exists between a couple then from an ethical standpoint I will not work with them in a joint capacity. Coaching requires honesty and vulnerability, and therefore a joint session could potentially expose the target of abuse to further harm. In certain cases, I'm happy to work with both individuals separately, but not together. If you would like to understand more about what constitutes relationship abuse, you can learn more here.
If you think you or someone you know may be in an abusive situation, in an emergency, please dial 999 - otherwise you can seek support from these organisations.