FAQs

Everybody is different and unique but I believe that everybody can benefit from counselling if they are experiencing difficulty or worries in their life. What's important is whether you think you are ready to invest the time in yourself and be challenged by exploring different viewpoints and new ways of thinking, in order to make positive changes in your life that will hopefully begin to ease your problems.

For the duration of your therapy, you will receive a 50 minute session working with me as your qualified and professional Counsellor.  It is necessary to start and finish our sessions on time and regrettably I am unable to extend session time to make allowances for late arrival or delays.

To begin with weekly sessions are advised, but please do speak to me if there are circumstances which mean weekly sessions are unattainable for you.  The number of sessions will depend entirely on your needs and agreed at assessment.  Duration of counselling work varies greatly and may be short, medium or long-term, but this is agreed together and I will always have your best interests in mind before agreeing to an extension of sessions.   Sessions could be as few as 6-12 or you may find that longer term work will personally suit you.   I work with some clients who like to return as new challenges arise and they recognise that their previous therapy was of real help and made difference. 

An initial introductory call is free where we can discuss a little more about your needs to check I'm suitable for your needs and you have the opportunity to ask me any questions.
Following this call, we will hold an Assesment session to go through in finer detail aims for therapy and for me to go through mandatory medical, historical and relation family history which will assist in our work together.  Assessment fee is £20.  

Thereafter, therapy sessions are £55 each.  Fees must be paid on the day by card, or in advance or within 24 hrs from session end by electronic bank transfer.  A discounted fee of £35 is available for trainee counsellors.

Counselling is  a talking and listening therapy but it is not an advice giving service .   Counselling's aim is to facilitate you in making clearer choices for yourself, by looking at how you've come to make past decisions and what led you to your difficulties or emotional  disturbance but I am not able to give you direct answers or advice for your problems.

To gain an insight of anyone, will often mean looking at their thought and behavioural    patterns, enquiring about family history, as well as asking them about their feelings both in past and present.  Your story and history are unique to you and trusting me with your story, helps me to support you and implement positive changes, which will hopefully make a real difference to you .

For some people it may just not be the right time to look into their issues, or perhaps they start and simply have a change of heart.  The choice will be yours, but there will be opportunities to review and assess our work along the way, to ensure that the service you are receiving and what you are  experiencing is benefiting your on-going needs.  If you choose to stop attending sessions, for any reason, before the agreed amount, I will always encourage a final  endings session.  Endings are an important part of counselling work,  and  have your wellbeing and best interests in mind.

Change comes when we allow it to.  You will always be you, but you can learn to think and feel differently from the way you do now and I help to facilitate you towards these new changes.