Counselling in Brighton & Hove
I’m Simon Buckland, an accredited BACP counsellor. I work with adults one-to-one (£70) or in couples (£100) in person and online.
Sexual Issues
Accepting one’s sexuality.
Sexuality can be a natural source of pleasure and connection, yet shame can make it complicated. Counselling can help you rediscover a more accepting relationship with your sexuality.
Another natural human function, which should be a source of pleasure, joy and satisfaction, but which can get snarled up by society’s judgements or by your own difficult personal history, so that it becomes more of a challenge or a problem than anything else.
You may find yourself dreading sex, or avoiding it; you may be dissatisfied with the way you behave in sexual situations, or simply unable to control your negative emotions.
Or you may struggle to accept your own sexual nature – why you like the things, the people, the actions, the situations that you like.
Many LGBTQ people, for instance, even in our supposedly ‘tolerant’ society, still experience self-judgements, such as internalised homophobia.
I’ll work with you to rediscover that joyful, trusting, playful child who is always there at the core of spontaneous and satisfying sexuality, and who has been temporarily covered up by the judgements of powerful people in your past.
We’ll look at any traumas that there may have been to your sexuality in the past and the PTSD that may have resulted, and work to move past it.
I trained in humanistic and integrative counselling with the Psychosynthesis Trust, London, in Relationship Counselling with Relate, and in sexuality and intimacy work with Jan Day.
I've also done a great deal of my own personal development and self-exploration over the years.
I've been practicing as a counsellor since 2014, working with couples and individuals of all ages, from late teens to over-70s.
You'll find me patient, warm, non-judgemental, and a good listener. And wherever we go on our journey together, it's likely that I've been there myself at some point - which makes me an able and reliable guide.
The Therapy ProcessHow we work together
Together, we pause to consider your goals, hopes, and direction. This is about aligning with yourself and with the journey ahead.
This is a chance to connect with what brought you here—your questions, your hopes, your turning points—and work to build your desired future.
We can work face to face if you live near Brighton or Hove, or online if you prefer, using Zoom, Teams, or any platform of your choice.
My fee is £70 per 50-minute one-to-one session (£100 for couples).
Phone ConsultationYou get a feel for how it is to work together and we plan a way forward.
Subsequent SessionsWe push forward, building your understanding and coping strategies.
We spend time identifying the key issues that you’d like to work on.
Trial SessionWe will know when you have become confident and self-reliant.
CompletionCommitmentI will continue to be available as long as you find it helpful.
