Not at all. Some clients prefer talk therapy, some prefer somatic massage, and some integrate both. If you’re unsure, we can discuss what feels right for you.

Counselling sessions are either in person (Epsom, Surrey) or online via a secure video platform. Telephone sessions may also be an option if needed.

Somatic Balance Massage sessions are in-person only.

The venue address or online link will be emailed to you on booking confirmation.

Cancellation and rescheduling policies differ slightly between in-person and online sessions due to venue policy requirements and the different nature of online appointments.

In-person sessions (based on venue policy):

• Cancellation more than 7 days in advance: reschedule OR full refund. *
• After 16:00, 7 days before booking: £15 cancellation fee + option to reschedule.
• Within 48 hours: £30 cancellation fee + option to reschedule.
• Within 24 hours OR no-show: £30 cancellation fee + reschedule may be offered if genuine emergency or illness; otherwise, the full session fee applies.

* For evening sessions, cancellation/rescheduling requests must be received by 16:00, 7 calendar days before the booking.  

For Saturday sessions cancellation/rescheduling requests must be received by 16:00, 8 calendar days before the booking.

Online sessions:

• Cancellation more than 48 hours in advance: reschedule or full refund
• Within 48 hours: option to reschedule
• Within 24 hours or no-show: Reschedule if genuine emergency or illness, otherwise the full session fee applies

Rescheduling and fees:

Where a cancellation fee applies, this must be settled before a new appointment is confirmed. Rescheduled sessions are limited to two occurrences: if a rescheduled session is not attended more than twice, no refunds will be given.

If you need to reschedule, please email hello@calmflower.co.uk. 

I understand that life happens! If you arrive late, the session will still end at the scheduled time so as not to impact other bookings, and the full fee will apply. If I am late, I’ll make sure to make up the time or reschedule.

For online sessions, I will remain online for the first 20 minutes. If you not arrived by then it will be treated as a no-show.

Electronic records are securely stored on encrypted, password-protected systems and handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Paper records are kept in a locked cupboard. Please see the Privacy Policy for full details on data storage, retention, and your rights.

Yes, everything discussed in sessions is confidential. However, there are some exceptions where I am legally required to share information — for example, in response to a court order or disclosures relating to serious illegal activity. There may also be rare circumstances where I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or to others. In such cases, I may need to share relevant information with appropriate services or authorities.

Wherever possible, I will aim to discuss this with you first and involve you in the process.

As part of ethical practice, I engage in professional supervision, where I may discuss aspects of my work while maintaining your anonymity. I would seek your written permission before sharing any identifiable information. All notes are stored securely and handled in accordance with data protection regulations. If you have any questions about privacy or data protection, please feel free to ask, or see my Privacy Policy.

I am a counsellor, which means I do not provide in-depth psychotherapy, clinical psychology, or psychiatric services, and I do not diagnose or treat serious mental health conditions. My focus is on helping you explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a confidential, supportive environment. I help you to strengthen your own inner resources to solve problems, process challenging feelings, develop greater self-understanding, and make meaningful changes in your life at a pace that feels right for you.

If it becomes clear that a different type of support would be more appropriate, we can discuss this together.

You can contact me via the contact form or by emailing hello@calmflower.co.uk.

We will arrange a 20-minute discovery call to answer any initial questions and discuss how sessions work.

The first session provides an opportunity to explore what brings you to therapy, clarify what you would like to work towards, and get a sense of how we might work together.

You will have space to ask any questions, including about my Terms and Conditions.

Towards the end of the session, we may provisionally schedule a second appointment. We will then both have up to 48 hours to reflect on whether continuing to work together feels like the right next step, and this can be confirmed or adjusted during that time.

No, Somatic Balance Massage is not talk therapy or counselling, though it is informed by my background in counselling and body-based approaches to wellbeing. The session primarily focuses on touch and sensory awareness. Emotional awareness may also be included — for example, setting a gentle goal or intention for the session — along with light verbal guidance such as invitations to notice sensations, emotions, or shifts in your body, similar to a mindfulness practice. Breathing and somatic exercises may also form part of the session.

You are welcome to notice or talk about emotions as they arise. Some clients choose to book a longer session to process anything that emerges after the massage. However, the session is not intended primarily for processing past experiences or for structured therapy.

Some clients choose to include Somatic Balance Massage alongside counselling, either as part of their overall therapeutic journey or intermittently when it feels helpful. While the approaches can complement one another, they remain separate and are guided by your individual goals and needs.

Only if you want to! Some clients find it helpful to process emotions aloud, while others prefer quiet. There’s no right or wrong way.  Somatic Balance Massage may naturally include more communication, but this is always guided by you.

Massage — whether Somatic Balance, deep tissue, or relaxation — can release stored tension. This may emerge as emotions or physical responses such as sighing, shuddering, or deep breaths. Some people even find they tear up or feel a wave of emotion, which is completely natural. Because the body and mind are deeply connected, sensations or emotions can arise during or after a session.

My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where you can simply notice and allow your experience, without pressure to analyze or change anything. If anything feels overwhelming, we can slow down or adjust the approach to ensure your comfort.

You can contact me via the Contact form. I’ll send you an intake/consent form to complete before your session. This includes important health and medical information to ensure massage therapy is safe and tailored to your needs. It also includes more detailed Terms and Conditions and my Privacy Policy.

Some medical conditions require GP approval before massage can proceed. If applicable, you will also need to complete the GP Consent form.

Please note: It is up to you to check with your GP that massage is safe for you.

Once I’ve received your completed form(s) and confirmed that it’s appropriate to proceed, your booking will be confirmed.

NOTE: Health and medical information is only completed before your first session, but must be updated if your health information changes.

If you have any questions at any stage, please feel free to get in touch via the contact form or email hello@calmflower.co.uk. In some cases, we may arrange a brief call if needed.