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Therapy in Southport and Online UK, for men and those around themMettle isone conversation at a time.
If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, low self-confidence, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, family issues, work-related stress, or low self-esteem, Mettle applies person-centred therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and strength-based therapy. Alongside therapy, Mettle can signpost you to local organisations to tackle real-world practical needs like housing, debt, employment, and physical health, in a way that strengthens your mettle beyond the counselling room.
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Professional memberships & registrations
How I work.
Integrative. Collaborative. At your pace.
Safety first.
Before anything is named or explored, the room has to feel right. There's no rush, no intake script, no immediate "what brings you here?" Some men arrive with a lot to say. Others don't know where to start. Both are fine. You don't have to be ready — you just have to show up.
Steadying the ground.
Once there's some safety, we work on stability. If things feel chaotic or overwhelming, we build emotional regulation as we go — not as a hurdle to clear before talking, but as part of the work itself. The relationship and trust build naturally from there.
Your lead. Our work.
When you're ready, you open what you want to open. I follow your direction, not a clinical plan. If a particular approach — CBT, ACT, Restorative Practice — looks like it might help, I'll say so and ask. Nothing gets introduced without your say-so. You're working with me, not receiving treatment from me.
Straightforward support.
Chris Brotherton is an NCPS Accredited Registrant(MNCPS Acc.) offering straightforward, confidential support in person in Southport and online across the UK.
Sessions and fees at a glance.
Pay as you go, session by session, or take a block of five for better value. No contract, no minimum, no tie-ins.
Short session
A focused check-in. Good for a single issue, a quick reset, or when time or budget is tight.
£30
25 minutes
Standard session
The full counselling hour. Person-centred at the core, drawing on CBT and Restorative Practice as the session needs them.
£50
50 minutes
Block of 5
Five standard sessions paid upfront for better value, with priority scheduling. Valid for use over time.
£225
£45 per session
Unable to access paid counselling?
Project Sandgrounder offers free by-appointment counselling in Southport, every Monday. No cost, no referral needed, no waiting list. Grassroots. Community-led. Just one conversation to think things through.
If you’re interested in supporting the initiative (through advocacy, sponsorship, or documented demand for commissioners), you can learn more and sign the expression of support.
Learn about Project Sandgrounder →When
Every Monday
10:00–14:00
Where
Southport
No referral needed
In person
Southport (PR8), Merseyside.
Town-centre room, eight minutes from Southport mainline station. Easy reach from Birkdale, Ainsdale, Churchtown, Formby, Crosby, Maghull, Ormskirk and Liverpool.
Counselling in Southport →Online
Across the UK.
Secure video, phone or structured email. Evening and early-morning slots available for men working full-time.
Online counselling →Not ready to book a call? Start here instead.
On a waiting list for local support?
You don’t have to wait.
Some people end up in a queue of 100+ adults for fully funded counselling – and not everyone’s concern can wait. Long waits make things worse. Mettle offers affordable alternatives without the waiting lists.
NHS Talking Therapies and local mental health charities across Sefton and Merseyside often have waiting lists that run into months. If you’ve been referred and told to wait – or decided not to join their waiting list at all – Mettle can bridge the gap. All you need is the willingness to start.
There’s no postcode restrictions. Just a secure video call or phone session from wherever you are, at a time that fits around work and family.
What men come to Mettle for.
Men don’t usually search for “therapy”. They search for the thing that’s keeping them awake.
Anxiety and GAD
Low self-confidence
Trauma and PTSD
Depression
Anger
Addiction
Bereavement and loss
Low self-esteem
Stress and burnout
Loneliness
Relationship difficulties
Career and redundancy
For employers & organisations
Work-related stress, burnout, or occupational support?
Streamlined counselling access, support for work-related stress, and burnout management for teams, business owners, and front-line organisations.
Get Free Resources
Join the mailing list to access printable resources and interactive forms for men and those around them.
We respect your privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Before you talk yourself out of it.
Do I have to be in crisis to come?+
No. Some men come because something broke. Others come because they’re tired and can’t keep going the way they have been. You don’t need to be at rock bottom. You just need to have run out of road on the current approach.
What if I’ve never done therapy before?+
Good. Most men who come here haven’t. We start where you are – no script, no jargon. The first conversation is just about what’s going on and whether I’m the right person to help.
How soon can I start?+
Usually within the week. Single-Session Therapy can often run the same week you book. The free 15-minute call is the quickest way to find out.
Is it confidential?+
Yes. NCPS Accredited Registrant, UK GDPR. Notes are encrypted. Confidentiality has narrow legal limits I’ll explain in session one.
Online or in person?+
Both. Online across the UK via secure video. In person in Southport, PR8, eight minutes from Southport mainline. The room matters less than the talking.
Free community clinic
Not ready for paid counselling? Project Sandgrounder is free.
Free by-appointment counselling every Monday at The Salvation Army, Southport. No cost, no referral, no waiting list.