Frequently Asked Questions
What Conditions Can Counselling Help?
Counselling can usually help most people. There are some issues that may be supported more effectively by an organisation or practitioner who specializes in that field. If I feel that I am not able to provide the appropriate service to meet your needs I will discuss this with you during our initial session.
Will Our Sessions Be Confidential?
Yes! Your right to confidentiality will be respected in our sessions. The only exceptions to this are if I am seriously concerned about your immediate safety or that of other people or if I am required by law to disclose something specific. Wherever possible I will discuss the circumstances with you before contacting the relevant professional person.
You should also be aware that in line with the ethical framework of my professional body, like all counsellors, I take part in regular supervision. During these sessions I will share the way I am working with my supervisor but I will not disclose identifying details.
How Much Will The Sessions Cost?
My standard charge for counselling is:
£55 per 50 minute session
See supervision page for supervision fees.
How Can I Tell if Face to Face or Remote Counselling is Best for Me?
There are many ways to experience therapy. Research shows no one way is better than any other. What matters is finding the best fit for you.
I offer therapy in ways that are designed to be flexible to meet your needs, within the demands of the restrictions created by the Covid pandemic. In addition to the traditional face to face sessions (when Covid regulations permit), I have undertaken specialist training to provide therapy via telephone or video link. I am happy to switch between the approaches if you would like that flexibility. I am only able to work with you while you are based in the UK, as counselling regulations vary from country to country.
Please see below for the key benefits and challenges of each way of working and feel free to ask more about all the options available.
Face to Face Counselling
Benefits
- You may have previous experience of face to face counselling, which may feel more comfortable.
- I take responsibility for ensuring the space is confidential.
- The time you spend travelling to and from the session can create a comfortable buffer between therapy and the demands of the day.
- Some people simply feel more comfortable being physically in the same room as me for counselling.
Challenges - The time taken from your day is longer as you have to factor in travel time.
- Travel issues can create delays which could result in a shorter session time.
- The first session can feel daunting finding a new place.
- Covid restrictions may mean face to face work has to be ended abruptly in the event of lockdown (alternative options will be available to you).
Telephone Counselling
Benefits - Most people are familiar with using a telephone.
- No travel time is necessary.
- Calls can be made on a landline or via an encrypted platform using a mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop device.
- You can be in the location of your choice, such as at work, in the car (while parked) or in the comfort of your own home.
- Covid restrictions will not disrupt the work.
Challenges - You are responsible for ensuring you have sufficient battery, reception and / or broadband width and data for the call – this can be challenging if there are lots of people online at the same time.
- If you have other people at home it may be hard not to be interrupted.
- We can’t see each other’s body language, so I will have to ask more questions, which may seem strange at first.
- The call can fail or the line can be disjointed at times and that can feel disconcerting. I will always try to recall if that happens.
- Telephone calls are via third party platforms so I do not have complete control over the confidentiality
Video Counselling
Benefits - No travel time is necessary.
- Calls can be made via encrypted platforms, to private online rooms, on a mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop device.
- You can be in the location of your choice, such as at work, in the car (while parked) or in the comfort of your own home.
- We can see each other, this can feel more comfortable for some people and allows some body language to be seen.
- Covid restrictions will not cause disruptions
Challenges - You will need to download the free platform we agree to use.
- You are responsible for ensuring you have sufficient battery, reception and / or broadband width and data for the call – this can be challenging if there are lots of people online at the same time.
- If you have other people at home it may be hard not to be interrupted.
- The link can fail or the line can be disjointed at times and that can feel disconcerting. I will always try to reconnect if that happens.
- Video links are via third party platforms so I do not have complete control over the confidentiality.
What Should I Expect From An Initial Session?
Most people feel a little anxious about starting counselling and the first meeting can feel quite overwhelming. This is perfectly normal.
You can contact me by phone or email. Initially I find it is helpful to speak to you to get an idea of what you are looking for and to answer any questions you have. If you email, we can arrange a time to speak. The length of a call varies, but it will take less than 20 minutes. I do not charge for this call.
If you decide you would like to meet with me, we will arrange an appointment. This is likely to become your regular counselling slot, so it needs to be a time that will suit you on an ongoing basis.
An initial session is an assessment, not a regular counselling session. I will ask you questions which are likely to include aspects about your childhood, relationships, significant people through your life and significant events and losses. You will have the opportunity to get to know me gradually. We will discuss what you expect of me and of counselling. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like.
The initial session is about exploring what has brought you to counselling and what you may like to work on during our future sessions together. I find it is helpful if I can get a broader sense of who you are, who is in your life and any major events that have taken place. As the session goes on I hope you will begin to feel more relaxed and comfortable with me.
We can begin our work at this point, or, if you prefer to have time to consider, you can contact me when you are ready.
You will never be committed to continuing our work, beyond the next session that is booked.
How Long Will I need To Come For?
Sessions last for 50 minutes and generally take place on a weekly basis. To get the most from your counselling, it is important you come on a regular basis - usually weekly.
How long each person needs in therapy varies considerably. We can discuss at the initial appointment whether it would be best to work on a single issue in a short focused way, or if you would prefer to explore wider, deeper issues on a longer term basis.
What If I Can’t Make an Appointment?
I understand that life sometimes gets in the way. If you are not able to attend a session please call to cancel as soon as you are able. Wherever possible I will try to offer you an alternative appointment in the same week.
Appointments cancelled more than 24 hours in advance will not be charged for. I will have to charge for any cancellation with less than 24 hours notice.
How Does Therapy End?
You can decide to finish at any time. For most people it is when you feel you have gone as far in your therapy as you wish to.
Some clients choose to agree a set number of sessions in advance, but most work with me on an open-ended basis tailored to their individual need. As part of our work together we will review how things are going from time to time. Part of this may include deciding when it is right for you to finish counselling. If you initialy choose a set number of sessions and then change your mind, that is fine too.
Once you have decided to finish counselling we will plan an ending session to celebrate all you have achieved and look at how you plan to manage challenging situations in the future.
