A space to be heard, not judged.

Meet Leon

In-person and online counselling with Leon Francis, BACP registered Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.

A warm, relational approach to counselling

Hi, I’m Leon. I work with adults who may be feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed, stuck, grieving, disconnected, or unsure where to begin. Some people come to counselling with a clear issue they want to explore, while others simply know that something does not feel right.

My role is not to tell you who to be or what to do. Instead, I offer a calm, confidential space where we can work together to better understand your experiences, notice patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and begin to explore meaningful ways forward.

A personal path into therapy

My path into becoming a therapist was also a personal one. Having experienced the value of therapy myself, I understand how difficult it can feel to reach out for support, and how important it is to find someone you feel comfortable talking to.

Therapy gave me space to better understand myself, my relationships, my thinking patterns and the ways I had learned to cope. That experience deepened my belief in the power of counselling to help people develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion and confidence.

Identity, culture and belonging

Before becoming a therapist, I worked within the heritage, creative arts and public sectors on projects involving museums, galleries, television and film in the UK, Europe and New Zealand. This background continues to inform my interest in identity, culture, belonging and the ways people make sense of themselves and their experiences.

As a black British therapist, I recognise that race, culture, masculinity, identity and belonging can shape how people experience themselves, their relationships and the world around them. These themes do not need to be the focus of therapy, but they are welcome in the room if they feel important to you.

Training, experience and professional background

I trained for three years at the Northern Guild of Psychotherapy and Counselling after moving to Newcastle from London over 15 years ago. As part of my training, I completed a placement in a GP surgery, supporting people referred for counselling from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

Since then, I have continued to develop my work across a number of settings, including suicide prevention, adult safeguarding, substance misuse services, mental health services and private practice. This experience has shaped the way I work: calmly, thoughtfully and with respect for each person’s individual story.

Making Sense of Things Together

At the heart of my work is a genuine interest in people. Being a therapist does not mean having all the answers, and I do not see counselling as a process where one person is the expert and the other is simply given advice. I see it as a thoughtful, collaborative relationship where we can make sense of things together.

Therapy can offer practical ways to understand the roots of your difficulties, recognise patterns in your thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and begin to find steadier ways of responding to life. This might include exploring how you relate to yourself and others, how you manage difficult emotions, or how your body responds when things feel overwhelming.

I am a work in progress too, and I know that life can sometimes bring unexpected challenges. If you are here because you are struggling with confusing feelings, painful experiences, or a situation that feels hard to carry alone, I am glad you have found your way here. We can begin with where you are.

Leon

REACH OUT Today

If you have questions, or would like to see whether working together feels like the right fit, you are welcome to get in touch to arrange a free 20–30 minute introductory telephone or Zoom consultation.

There is no pressure to know exactly what you want to say. We can begin with a conversation.

Get Started

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