“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner." I don't try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.” - Carl Rogers
About Jay McCarthy
I am a qualified and experienced psychotherapist, working with LGBTQ+, non-monogamous, kink/BDSM and neurodivergent clients. Whether you're wanting a space to explore your identity or simply a space to do therapy without having to hide parts of yourself, I offer the chance to be seen and heard as your whole self.
How I Work
Session Format
All of my sessions take place online using Zoom.
I offer live chat, voice and video call sessions - you can choose on the day which style of communication feels right for you.
Session Timing
I offer 30-minute and hour long therapy sessions.
Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly and this can change as we go along to suit your needs.
You can book a regular slot for consistency or book in ad-hoc to fit with a busy schedule.
Session Fee
30-minute session: £25 - £35
1-hour session: £45 - £70
I charge a sliding scale fee: I invite you to pay the rate that you feel best reflects your financial situation.
I ask for no proof of circumstances or justification for the rate you choose to pay.
My Approach
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the core foundation of therapy: that trust that what you share with me won't be shared elsewhere. The boundaries of confidentiality are clearly communicated at the start of therapy, as well as committed to in writing in my contract with you.
Empathy
When our lives don't fit the 'normative' path, we can often feel alone and misunderstood. As a therapist from within the kink community, you won't carry the added burden of having to educate the person you're spending money, time and energy to be supported by.
Client-Centred
Sessions are a space for you to bring whatever feels most important to talk through in that moment. Some people want to explore past experiences, some focus on current struggles. I empower you to direct our focus and to go at your own pace, so you only ever open up in a way that feels safe.
What to Expect
My approach to therapy is built on creating a radical environment of acceptance and safety. In our work together, we move beyond the standard clinical perspective to embrace your full identity, including kink, BDSM, and neurodivergence. This space is dedicated to your self-exploration without the need for translation or defense. We will navigate your journey at a pace that feels secure for you, ensuring that every session is a collaborative step towards healing and self-empowerment. Whether we are addressing specific challenges or exploring the complexities of your lived experience, my goal is to provide the empathetic and informed support you deserve.
I do not offer guidance or advice, but this doesn't mean I am passive in our relationship. I listen closely, ask questions to further my understanding of what you are sharing, and offer observations I make along the way. Counselling is a process of getting to know yourself more deeply through someone else taking the time to really get to know you, and coming to accept yourself more fully through someone else accepting you unconditionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer relationship therapy?
I am trained and qualified to work with adult individuals rather than couples, polycules or family groups. However, individual therapy covers all sorts of topics - including the relationships and dynamics from your past and present life. Exploring your dynamic from your perspective is absolutely within the work we can do together.
How do I schedule an appointment?
If you get the feel that I might be the right therapist for you, then please get in touch via the contact form. If you're eager to get started we can book right in. Or, if you'd like we can book a free 15-minute intro call so you can get a better feel of what it's like talking with me and to ask me any questions you may have.
How long does therapy last?
As long as you want it to! Unlike many NHS and charity counselling services, you aren't limited to a set number of sessions with me. You can stay working with me for as little time - or as long - as you like. Some people have a goal in mind for therapy, others are simply looking for a place to unload to someone impartial. Whatever your reason for getting in touch, you are the one who gets to decide when and how therapy comes to an end.