FAQs
Here are just some of the questions you may have before embarking on the counselling journey.
If you have any other questions or want more information please contact me.
How many sessions will I need?
At our first session together we can gain an understanding of what it is you want from counselling and then decide on whether you would like an open-ended arrangement or focused short –term work. In most cases I would recommend giving yourself at least 6 months in therapy to see any real benefit.
Do I have to come every week?
Counselling is a deep and powerful process of self-exploration and in order to do the work and yourself justice it is recommended that weekly sessions are attended at the beginning of the work.
Is your service confidential?
Yes. I have a professional arrangement with a supervisor with whom I discuss client material in order to best support you. However I do not disclose names of clients and my supervisor is also bound by a confidentiality agreement. In exceptional circumstances I might be put in a position where I may feel it is necessary to break confidentiality. In this respect I will always follow the Ethical framework set out by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I will explain these circumstances at our first session.
What if I can't afford counselling?
I offer low-cost counselling for those on low/assisted incomes. Please contact me for more information.
What will it be like?
Counselling can be powerful and moving and it can be life changing. It is however a process that is as effective as you are willing to let it be. My role is to act as a guide and help facilitate the process of your own self-discovery. Our first session together will be about us getting an understanding of what you are looking to achieve from counselling. After this, the following sessions will be largely guided by what you bring to sessions each week. Some important features of this might be us looking at how your past might be impacting on the present and then working together on what you want your life to be like. This would then lead on to exploring how you might develop a sense of purpose to create a more meaningful life in the future.
Are you insured?
Yes. I carry full insurance as per the BACP guidelines.
Do I have to tell you everything?
This depends on what you want to achieve. If we are working on a short-term counselling basis then we can only look at a certain amount of your background within the timeframe. Therefore the work would be much more focussed on addressing a current problem or issue. Longer term counselling work often allows for more exploration and understanding of why particular issues keep reoccurring, for example. I will need to take a basic history at our first session, including some medical details, as this forms part of the ethical guidelines that I adhere to. For more information on how we use your data from our website please refer to our PRIVACY POLICY.
Do you work with couples?
Not at the moment. I do however offer counselling work with individuals who may be having issues within a couple. This can be an effective starting point or addition to current or ongoing couple counselling work.