Question 1

What is counselling?

Accepted Answer

Counselling gives you a confidential time and space to talk about the worries or issues that are concerning you.  There are many reasons why a person may choose to see a Counsellor, but each one is specific and personal to you.

I offer you a supportive, facilitative and reflective space to pause, think and reflect, a place of ‘Selah’, to come to a better understanding for yourself of the issues you are experiencing, and to consider how you wish to move forward.

Question 2

How does therapy 'work'?

Accepted Answer

If you have never had therapy before, and even if you have, it can be a daunting experience. Telling a complete stranger your issues can feel surreal and unnatural.

Therapy is process. It is a journey of discovery for you, and for me, because I believe that everyone is individual and unique and that no two peoples experience or therapy process is the same. I respect who you are, the individual and unique experience that you bring and want to hear and understand your story, in your words.

From getting to know you I can offer different ways of helping to you to understand the issues that are concerning you and to figure out a way forward. I offer a client led approach; therefore no two peoples experience, content or time taken in therapy is comparable. It is your process, your journey, your time and I walk that with you. For a flavour of what therapy with myself is like, please take a look at my testimonials section.

Question 3

How do I choose a counsellor?

Accepted Answer

Choosing a counsellor who you feel comfortable with is important. The initial assessment/introduction is important as it is an opportunity for you get to know the Counsellor and ask questions. There is no commitment at this point and some people like to see a few Counsellors for an initial assessment before deciding who they choose. In the initial few sessions of Counselling you will get to know more about how the Counsellor works, more of a ‘feel’ for them. From there you can decide if you wish to continue with them beyond the initially agreed sessions, if you feel you are benefiting from counselling.

Question 4

Is counselling really completely confidential?

Accepted Answer

Counselling is strictly private and confidential and no information is shared with others, unless there is a risk of someone being hurt or harmed, including the client.

Question 5

How do I know that you are legitimate or credible?

Accepted Answer

I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC). You can find me on the Counselling Directory. My work is supervised according to the BACP guidelines. I hold Professional Liability Insurance.

Question 6

How long should I have counselling/ therapy for?

Accepted Answer

I offer short term (up to 6 sessions), medium term (6-12 sessions) and open ended counselling. In the Initial Assessment session we will tentatively agree how many sessions you would like to have (usually about 6 sessions initially) and review your progress after the 6th session.

Reviewing helps us to see where we are in the process and to look at if your therapeutic goals have changed or developed as a result of our work together. However, the decision about whether to continue or to end the counselling will be yours.

Question 7

Why do I need an Initial Assessment session?

Accepted Answer

Choosing a Counsellor who you feel comfortable with is important. The assessment session is 50 minutes and is an opportunity for you to find out more about myself, the counselling process, and ask me any questions you might have to see if you would like to start counselling with myself.

If after the assessment session we decide that we would like to work together, we will agree a weekly time to meet, number of sessions and we will go through paperwork, including a Counselling Contract which outlines expectations between ourselves.

Question 8

How long is each counselling session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are usually weekly and last for 50 minutes. Sessions will start at the scheduled time.  If you are unfortunately late for a session, the time for that session cannot be made up, but you will still have the remainder of the 50 minutes.

Question 9

How does counselling end?

Accepted Answer

Having a good ‘ending’ is as important as having a good beginning, hence the importance of having initial assessment and ending sessions. An ending session gives us the opportunity to remember, review and celebrate your achievements and successes, and to help you look ahead.

Question 10

What if I need to cancel or rearrange a session?

Accepted Answer

Please note that you will be expected to pay for any sessions that you cancel or miss during the contracted period. However, if you give me at least 72 hours notice of non-attendance, you will not be charged for non-attendance. If you cancel a session with less than 72 hours notice, the full charge will be incurred. This enables me to keep your regular appointment time dedicated to you, for the duration of our contracted time together.

You will not have to pay if I am away or I cancel a session.

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