For many men, talking about what's really going on doesn't always come easily.

You might be used to getting on with things, looking after everyone else, keeping busy or simply pushing difficult feelings to one side. From the outside, you might appear to be coping. Inside, things can feel very different.

Maybe you're struggling with anxiety, anger, low mood, relationship problems, pressure at work, low self-esteem, loneliness or a major change in your life. Perhaps alcohol or drugs have started to become a way of coping. Or maybe you can't quite put your finger on what's wrong — you just know that something needs to change.

You don't have to wait until things reach breaking point.

A place where you can talk without having to put on a front

I'm Keith Vaughton, a counsellor based in Rossendale, Lancashire.

My approach is straightforward, down-to-earth and person-centred. I won't tell you how you should feel or give you a list of things you need to fix.

Instead, I'll give you the time and space to talk openly, make sense of what's happening and explore things at your own pace.

You don't need to know exactly what you want from counselling before you start. We can begin with where you are.

What brings men to counselling?

There isn't one reason men seek counselling.

You might be dealing with:

• Anxiety, stress or feeling constantly on edge

• Low mood or feeling emotionally drained

• Anger, frustration or shutting down

• Relationship breakdown or difficulties

• Problems within family relationships

• Fatherhood and the pressures of being a dad

• Work-related pressure or burnout

• Low self-esteem and confidence

• Loneliness or feeling disconnected

• Bereavement and loss

• Major life changes

• Guilt, shame or feeling like you've let people down

• Problems with alcohol

• Difficulties with drugs

• Behaviours that are starting to affect your life

• Feeling stuck and unsure where to go next

Sometimes there isn't a clear reason.

Sometimes you just know you're not yourself anymore.

That's enough of a reason to talk.

Counselling for men who aren't "counselling people"

You might have thought:

"I should be able to sort this myself."

Or:

"Other people have got it worse."

Or perhaps you've never really talked about how you feel before.

That's okay.

Counselling isn't about sitting in a room being told what to do or having someone analyse you.

It's a conversation where you can take the time to understand what's happening beneath the surface.

You don't have to perform. You don't have to have the right words. You can just be yourself.

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My experience

I bring professional counselling training alongside extensive life experience.

I've seen how difficult life can become when people feel overwhelmed, disconnected or unable to talk about what's happening beneath the surface.

My work has included supporting people affected by addiction, recovery, mental health difficulties, trauma, homelessness and challenging life circumstances.

That experience has shaped how I work.

I believe people are more than the problems they are experiencing, and that being properly heard can be an important starting point for change.

A person-centred approach

My counselling is based around you.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

We'll work together to understand what has brought you here, what you're experiencing and what you want from counselling.

You set the pace.

I bring the professional knowledge, experience and space to help you explore what's going on.

Based in Rossendale, supporting men across Lancashire

Rossendale | Rawtenstall | Haslingden | Bacup | Burnley | and surrounding areas

Face-to-face and online counselling options are available.

You don't need to wait until you're at breaking point.

If something isn't right, you don't have to carry it alone.

Take the first step and get in touch.

“It’s Time For Action”

Keith Vaughton

Counsellor | Body Mind Therapies

Rossendale - Burnley

Talk. Understand. Move forward.