BRIGHTON · HOVE · ONLINE UK
Counselling for Men
A space to talk. No judgement. No pressure.
Face-to-face in Hove · Walk & Talk · Online across the UK · Phone
'What works for you is what matters most to me'
Gary's empathetic approach helped me navigate one of the toughest periods of my life.
You don't have to figure it out alone.
I'm Gary Jessop, a counsellor based in Brighton and Hove. I work with men who are carrying things — stress at work, relationship pressures, grief, burnout, or simply a persistent sense that something isn't right.
A lot of men I speak to have been getting on with it for a long time before they reach out. That's understandable. But there comes a point where talking to someone who actually listens — without judgement, without an agenda — can make a real difference.
I know from my own experience what it's like to push through until you can't anymore. Before I became a counsellor, I crewed a 68ft yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race. And then burnout caught up with me in the corporate world. That journey is part of what brought me here — because I know first-hand that reaching out isn't weakness. It's one of the most practical things you can do.
Sessions can take place face-to-face in Hove, online across the UK, by phone, or as walk & talk sessions along the coast or on the South Downs. Whatever format makes it easier for you to show up — that's what we'll do.
You don't need to have the right words.
You don't need to know exactly what's wrong.
You just need to take one small step.
Gary's empathetic approach helped me navigate one of the toughest periods of my life.
How We Can Meet
There's no single right way to do this. Choose whatever format makes it easiest to show up.
Walk & Talk
Brighton beach or South Downs
Popular with men who find it easier to talk when moving
Online
Anywhere across the UK
Private, flexible, no travel needed
Phone
From wherever you are
Simple and straightforward
Face-to-face
Float Spa, Hove
Calm, confidential therapy room
What Brings Men to Counselling
There's no issue too big or too small. Many men come simply because something feels off and they want to talk it through with someone who gets it.
"A lot of men tell me they've been holding it together for years. Counselling gives you somewhere to put it down for a while — and figure out what to do next."
— Gary Jessop
Gary's empathetic approach helped me navigate one of the toughest periods of my life.
About Gary
A Counsellor Who Understands Men
Gary Jessop is a NCPS accredited counsellor based in Hove with extensive experience supporting men through some of life's toughest challenges.
Before becoming a counsellor, Gary crewed a 68ft yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race — not for the CV, but as a reset. And then burnout caught up with him in the corporate world. He knows first-hand what it's like to keep going until you can't.
His sister gave him a compass with a note: "So you always know where you are." That compass became the name for his men's group — because sometimes we all need help finding our bearings again.
Gary's approach is direct, practical, and free of jargon. You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out.
'So you always know where you are'
Men's Compass Room
Men's Group — Hove
What I've seen in men's counselling sessions is that many men experience feelings of isolation, the pressures of work taking over, or simply get so wrapped up in life that they forget how to meet new people.
That inspired me to create the Men's Compass Room — a safe, confidential space for men to come together, have unfiltered conversations, and be heard. I'm also introducing a Pickleball social, new to many of us, as a way to gather, have some laughs, and connect in a relaxed environment.
While this is not a formal counselling session, being part of a group of men sharing experiences often brings its own sense of support and therapy.
Men's Circle
1st Monday of the month
The Float Spa, Hove
7–8:30pm
£11 per person
Men's Pickleball Social
3rd Tuesday of the month
Hove Beach Pickleball Courts (behind Rockwater)
6:30–8pm
£11 per person
Gary's empathetic approach helped me navigate one of the toughest periods of my life.
Session Pricing
All session types are priced the same - face-to-face, online, phone, and walk-and-talk.
50 minutes per session
- Review session in the fourth meeting to plan for the future
- Option to continue with more sessions or plan an ending
- Endings are important and thoughtfully planned together
90 minutes per session
- Longer time for deeper exploration
- Works particularly well for walk-and-talk sessions
- Available for all session types
All session formats - face-to-face, online, phone, and walk-and-talk - are priced the same.
I kindly ask for 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Where this isn't possible, the full session fee will apply - though I always appreciate a message and am happy to have a conversation if something unexpected comes up.
How to Get Started
Getting started doesn't have to be complicated. Send me a brief email — you don't need to explain everything, just a few lines about what's going on and a request to arrange a call.
We'll have a short telephone consultation — not a therapy session, just a chance to introduce ourselves, see if it feels like a good fit, and answer any questions you have.
If you want to go ahead, we'll arrange your first session. You choose the format — face-to-face in Hove, online, phone, or walk & talk. We can always change it later.
I usually suggest starting with six sessions, with a check-in around session four to see how things are feeling and decide together what comes next.
You don't need to have the right words before reaching out. We can start wherever you are.
While this page is focused on men's counselling, I also welcome women who feel they'd like to explore working with me — please don't hesitate to get in touch.
