Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions or would like to book an initial session then please contact me
Do I need counselling?
At times life can feel overwhelming; personal struggles and difficulties can take hold of us and impact on our well-being, self-esteem and our confidence. Stress, fears and concerns can easily develop and if your personal problems are left untended they can easily manifest and affect your quality of life. No matter how big or small you feel a problem is, there is no need to struggle alone. We all need a listening ear and emotional support during trying times; a space that is confidential, respectful and non-judgemental.
Are sessions confidential?
As a professional counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I offer a high standard of confidentiality and will provide a safe and private space to talk. I will not give information to your doctor or anyone else without your permission. The only time I might break confidentiality is if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, and in very rare cases where required to by law.
Will you solve my issues?
I see counselling as a cooperative process. We are mutually learning from each other whilst creating a deeper understanding of what we are exploring. I will help you to explore different ways of dealing with a situation, but the choice of whether or not you choose to do anything with what we discuss is yours.
How many sessions will I need?
Most of my work is open ended and long term, which means that counselling will progress for as long as we both feel necessary for you. Sessions will go at a pace that you feel comfortable with. You do not need to come to counselling knowing how many sessions you will want or need. However, I suggest an initial commitment of at least 8 sessions. Real changes require deep and meaningful work and it can take time and willingness to get to the core of the issues.
How often will I have counselling?
Your sessions will usually be weekly, on a set day, at a set time, and last for 50 minutes. If your situation requires a different arrangement then please do get in touch to discuss this further. I can also try to make myself available for additional or longer sessions in times of crisis.
What if I want to end counselling?
You are free to end counselling whenever you choose. If you are thinking about ending then I suggest we discuss this before the last session. Please do not worry that I will try to convince you to stay, you are in control, but it is beneficial to dedicate a good session or two to the ending, so that we can explore what has been achieved and what endings represent for you. Sometimes a break in counselling can also be useful and when coming back to counselling it can feel like a shift has taken place and progress has been achieved.
What is online counselling?
Online counselling refers to counselling by video call, email or instant messaging. Video calls are carried out using an online app called Zoom, which is free to download, or with Skype if preferred. Zoom is a secure and encrypted platform, which complies with the security requirements of the 2018 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Video calls can be made with or without a visual image.
You can learn more about online counselling by clicking here