Welcome to Acoustic Counselling
Person-Centred Counselling in Lancaster & North Lancashire
A space where you can be heard without pressure to be anything other than yourself.
Welcome, and thank you for visiting Acoustic Counselling.
I offer a space where you can be heard and understood without judgement or expectation. A space where you do not need to have everything figured out, and where we can begin with whatever feels most important to you.
Through both my professional experience and my counselling training, I have developed an appreciation for how complex and individual each person’s story can be. The person-centred approach understands that difficulties are not signs of something being wrong with you, but often meaningful responses to your life experiences. Within a supportive relationship, these experiences can begin to be explored and understood at your own pace.
About Acoustic Counselling
My name is Tim Dodgson and I am a person-centred counsellor offering individual counselling to adults in Lancaster, Morecambe, and across North Lancashire,
What often matters most to people reaching out for counselling is not just what I do, but who I am and how I have come to sit alongside others in this way. My route into counselling has been shaped by many years working within a demanding public service role, where I encountered people at some of the most challenging and vulnerable points in their lives. Over time, I became increasingly aware that beyond procedures and outcomes, there was something deeply human taking place in those moments. People were not simply looking for solutions, they were often trying to make sense of their experiences, their feelings, and themselves.
This awareness stayed with me and gradually led me towards formal training in counselling. I undertook a three-year, master’s level postgraduate programme in clinical counselling at the University of Chester, where I trained in the person-centred approach. This way of working resonated strongly with my own values. It holds the belief that each person has an inherent capacity for growth and self-understanding, given the right relational conditions. Rather than directing or advising, my focus is on offering a therapeutic relationship grounded in empathy, genuineness, and a deep acceptance of you as you are.
My practice is guided by the ethical principles of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, of which I am a registered member. The BACP Ethical Framework places importance on working safely, respectfully, and in a way that centres your autonomy and wellbeing. It also means I engage in regular supervision and ongoing professional development, supporting me to reflect on my practice and maintain a high standard of care.
Person-Centred Counselling Approach
Person-Centred Counselling
I offer person-centred counselling, which is a way of working that places you at the heart of the process. Rather than focusing on diagnosis, labels, or telling you what to do, this approach is grounded in the belief that you are the expert in your own life. My role is to provide the kind of relationship in which you can begin to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences more freely, and at a pace that feels right for you.
A Space to Explore
At times, life can feel overwhelming, confusing, or difficult to make sense of. You may be carrying emotions that feel hard to express, or perhaps you are not entirely sure what is wrong, only that something does not feel quite right. Counselling offers a space where these experiences can be brought into awareness without fear of judgement. Through being heard and understood, it is often possible for things to become clearer, and for new perspectives to emerge.
Core Conditions
The person-centred approach is underpinned by three core conditions described by Carl Rogers, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. These are not techniques, but ways of being within the therapeutic relationship. When these conditions are present, research and theory suggest that individuals are more able to reconnect with their own internal processes, leading to greater self-acceptance, resilience, and the capacity to make choices that feel more aligned with who they are.
In line with the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I work in a way that respects your autonomy, privacy, and individuality. This includes creating a safe and confidential environment, being transparent about the counselling process, and supporting you in making decisions about your own journey.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling can be beneficial in many different ways. For some, it offers relief in being able to talk openly about difficult experiences. For others, it can support a deeper understanding of patterns, relationships, or emotional responses. It may also be a space to process change, loss, or uncertainty. There is no expectation of what you should bring. We begin with whatever feels most important to you.
At its core, my work is about offering a consistent, genuine, and accepting relationship, where you can feel heard, valued, and understood. From this foundation, the potential for growth and change can begin to unfold in a way that is personal and meaningful to you.
I offer a warm and inclusive space for neurodivergent clients, whether formally diagnosed or simply exploring this part of themselves.
Areas I Can Support You With
You may be dealing with anxiety, low mood, loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, or a general sense of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. You do not need to fit into a particular category or have a clear reason to begin counselling. If something has brought you here, that is enough.
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Identity and self-understanding
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Abuse
Neurodivergence
Counselling Sessions
I offer individual, one-to-one person-centred counselling sessions in a calm and confidential setting in Lancaster.
Each session lasts for 50 minutes, providing a consistent space for you to explore whatever feels important at your own pace. There is no expectation about what you should bring to sessions, and we can work together in a way that feels comfortable and manageable for you.
The fee for each session is £50. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, bank transfer, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, offering flexibility in how you choose to pay.
If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice. This allows the time to be offered to someone else who may be waiting. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice are usually still chargeable.
Your First Session
The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and begin to explore what has brought you to counselling. There is no expectation for you to have everything clearly defined.
You may already have a sense of what you would like to talk about, or you may simply know that something does not feel quite right.
We can take time to talk through any questions you might have and begin to get a feel for whether this way of working feels right for you. There is no obligation to continue beyond this initial session.
Location
Sessions are currently offered on a face-to-face basis in a private and confidential setting. The space is intended to be calm, consistent, and free from interruption, allowing you the time and room to focus on yourself. My practice is based in Lancaster, North Lancashire, and easily accessible from Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth, Garstang and the Wyre area, as well as the South Lakes.
I aim to offer a counselling space that is accessible, comfortable and welcoming for all clients, with wheelchair access and accessible toilet facilities available.
Confidentiality & Ethical Practice
A clear understanding of confidentiality is an important part of feeling safe enough to talk openly. What you share within counselling is treated with respect and kept in confidence.
There are some limits to this, which I will always be open about. These include situations where there may be a risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or where there is a legal obligation to share information. Wherever possible, this would be discussed with you first.
My practice is guided by the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which places a strong emphasis on trust, transparency, and safeguarding.
Supervision & Professional Development
As part of working ethically and responsibly, I engage in regular supervision and ongoing professional development. Supervision provides a reflective space where I can consider my work in a way that supports safe and effective practice, while always maintaining your anonymity. This is an important part of ensuring that I am working in your best interests.
Get in touch
You are welcome to get in touch by phone, text, WhatsApp, or email. I will respond as soon as I am able, usually within working hours. Messages are not monitored at all times, so if you require immediate support, it may be more appropriate to contact your GP or an emergency service.
Reaching out for counselling can feel like a significant step. There is no pressure or expectation, only an opportunity to make contact if and when it feels right for you.
Tim Dodgson
Person-Centred Counsellor
(BACP Registered)
"I really enjoyed our weekly sessions and I feel like I've benefited a lot. Thank you so much for creating a safe place as well as making me feel better and more positive."
"For years, I coped by isolating myself and keeping everything in. Having Tim as a consistent, safe space each week — somewhere I can finally offload, feel heard, and speak openly without judgement — is something I’ve never had before"
© Acoustic Counselling
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