Whitestone Therapy

Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling

Steve Perkins - Consultant Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor

MBACP (Accred), FBCTP, CSAccred (AAC) | Author of Moral Singularity

I work with adults facing personal, professional and psychological difficulties - from anxiety and periods of crisis through to deeper patterns that can feel hard to change. My approach is formulation-led integrative therapy grounded in depth and practical insight. I also work with couples on a limited basis.

Many people who come here are functioning well outwardly, yet feel caught in patterns of anxiety, self-doubt or relational difficulty that can be hard to resolve alone.

Over time, while working with people from all walks of life, I've found that my practice tends to centre on thoughtful, capable adults who experience relational insecurity, chronic self-doubt, or longstanding patterns that feel resistant to change. I am particularly interested in entrenched relational patterns, attachment anxiety, obsessive or over-mentalising styles, and the longer-term effects of early emotional separation, including boarding school experiences.

I also work with clients who find themselves caught in rigid moral or identity-based conflicts, whether internally or within close relationships. Some come for a focused period of work around a specific difficulty; others choose longer-term therapy to understand patterns more deeply.

You may find it helpful to read my testimonials or Google reviews to get a sense of how others have experienced working with me.

How I Work

My approach is formulation-led: we work to understand how your particular pattern developed, how it sustains itself, and what maintains it now. In the room my style is warm and engaged. I won’t sit silently nodding while you do all the talking - we work through things together.

I offer professional and confidential psychotherapy and counselling in Shoreham-by-Sea and surrounding areas in Sussex, with online therapy available for clients throughout the UK and abroad. In addition, I work as a clinical supervisor for other therapists.

My clinical approach is integrative, drawing on cognitive, relational and depth-oriented traditions. This allows us to focus either on lasting psychological change or on immediate practical challenges, depending on what you need.

Taken together, this approach helps clients make sense of longstanding patterns that may have felt difficult to change. It also supports people in making better use of the deeply courageous - and often painful - process of challenging themselves, facing fears, and tackling the most difficult situations in life.

I spent over twenty years working in finance, with experience leading large departments in high-pressure settings. I have also undertaken consultancy work advising organisations on leadership, decision-making and organisational dynamics. This experience means I understand something of the pressures and complexities many professionals face.

My interest is in helping people come through difficult periods and move towards the life they want to lead. From my own experience I know how valuable therapy can be in cutting through the noise and finding a path forwards.

I typically work with a limited number of clients at any one time in order to offer focused and consistent attention. My practice is grounded in sound clinical judgement rather than adherence to any single theoretical or ideological framework. I usually work with clients on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on the nature of the work and what is likely to be most helpful. Where therapy continues over time, sessions often become less frequent as things stabilise and resolve.

Professional Standing

I'm an experienced Psychotherapist and Supervisor, an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and a registered Fellow with the British College of Therapeutic Professionals (BCTP).

Alongside my clinical work, I write about the conditions that support reflective, open-ended and ethically grounded therapeutic practice.

Author of Moral Singularity: Life Inside Closed Moral Worlds and Why Moral Conversation Breaks Down.

Qualifications & Accreditations

BSc (Hons)
PGDip Integrative Counselling & Coaching (Dist)
MSc Psychotherapy (Dist)
CSAccred (AAC) – BPS Accredited Certificate in Supervision
MBACP (Accred) – Accredited Member, BACP
FBCTP – Fellow, British College of Therapeutic Professionals

Working Together

About Therapy

Many of us function well on the surface. We manage work, relationships, responsibilities. Yet beneath this, there can be recurring patterns - self-doubt, relationships that follow the same painful script, anxiety that feels out of proportion, or a sense of being out of step with oneself.

Some people come in the midst of a clear crisis; others with patterns that have built slowly over time.

You may understand why things are the way they are, and still feel unable to change them. Insight alone does not always bring relief.

Therapy can help when:

you find yourself repeating patterns you thought you had outgrown
you are tired of second-guessing yourself
anxiety or low mood interferes with work or relationships
you overthink, over-analyse, or struggle to settle internally
you are facing a professional or personal turning point
earlier experiences continue to shape present reactions
you feel capable in many areas of life, yet stuck in one that matters

These kinds of difficulties often reflect patterns that have developed over time. Therapy provides space to examine those patterns carefully and begin to loosen their hold.

Over time, this can lead not only to new strategies, but to deeper changes in how you relate to yourself and others.

I offer a confidential and non-judgemental space in which you can speak freely. Some people arrive with a clear aim; others feel they have exhausted their options. Either is fine.

Therapy is not only about being heard. Where it is helpful, I will offer challenge - supporting you to move beyond familiar patterns and towards the place you want to be.

See the Issues section below for further information about the kinds of difficulties I commonly work with. See my FAQ section for common questions about therapy.

Meeting

Seeking help can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but it is often the first step in making sense of what has been difficult to change.

A consultation is a chance for us to talk and decide if working together would be helpful. If you're unsure whether therapy would be useful in your situation, you're very welcome to get in touch briefly by email and I can suggest consultation times. I will also try to answer any initial questions you may have.

If I believe I am not the best fit for you, or that a colleague may have specialist expertise that could help, then I will say so and make a referral if you would like.

I have a particular interest in working with OCD, attachment-related difficulties, and issues relating to boarding schools. I also work with senior professionals from my London practice, offering focused consultancy around leadership pressure, professional identity, and high-stakes decision making.

Shoreham-by-Sea

My office is located in central Shoreham-by-Sea at 22 Buckingham Road, BN43 5UB; a short walk from the train station.

My practice is easy to reach from surrounding areas such as Brighton, Hove, Lancing, Worthing.

Online Therapy

Offering therapy to clients throughout the UK and overseas. Details found here.

City of London

My office is located in the heart of the City at 23 Austin Friars, EC2N 2QP. Primarily my work in London is through private referral. Please click for details on Whitestone London.

Contact

email (usually best): steve@whitestonetherapy.com -

whatsapp / text: 07970 362579

Fees (2026)

Psychotherapy & Counselling

Personal Consultancy (per session)

Individuals: £90 (Consultation: £50)
Couples : £95 (60 mins) / £160 (90 mins)

Senior Professional Consultancy: £150 - For senior professionals navigating leadership pressure, high-stakes decisions, and professional identity conflict.

Clinical Supervision

Psychotherapy & Counselling

Qualified practitioners:

£100 - 90 mins
£70 - 60 mins

Trainee practitioners:

£85 - 90 mins
£60 - 60 mins