Counselling frequently asked questions. I will try to give helpful information to aid you in making an informed decision.
A crisis situation may have led you to seek counselling, or friends, colleagues or family members may have encouraged you to consider therapy. Whatever the catalyst, if you are looking to gain clarity on a particular situation, change unhelpful patterns of behaviour, make sense of complex personal issues, or begin a journey of self-discovery, then counselling may be just what you need.
If you would like to find out more about the process and what you can expect, please click here.
Counselling can help with a wide range of issues, including:
- Abuse (including physical, verbal, and sexual abuse)
- Addiction
- Anxiety (agoraphobia, claustrophobia, generalised anxiety, panic attacks and social anxiety)
- Boundary issues
- Confidence and self-esteem issues
- Depression (including prenatal and postnatal depression, feeling hopeless, lack of interest or pleasure in life, low mood, suicidal thoughts)
- Eating issues (anorexia, binge eating, bulimia)
- Infertility
- Loss (including bereavement)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Phobias
- Relationships (affairs, arguments, breakups, divorce, drifting apart, jealousy, loneliness, repeated negative choices)
- Sexual problems
- Trauma (including post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Work issues (boundaries, confidence issues, stress and adopting a healthy work-life balance)
Although there is no typical counselling session due to the varying needs of each client, you can expect a highly professional, confidential service. You will be met with warmth and understanding. As a fully trained and qualified counsellor with experience, your emotional safety is guaranteed. Your issues will be fully accepted and listened to. I will be able to reflect with you on your situation to support you as you discover the right answers for you. You will be free to speak about whatever you need to, whether that be related to a current situation, a concern for the future or something from the past. You can be assured that any information discussed within the four walls of the therapy room will be treated with the utmost respect.
The simple answer is, for a long as you feel you need counselling. However, we will have regular reviews to discuss your progress and work towards an agreed ending at a time that is appropriate for you. The ideal length of your therapy will depend on your unique needs and goals. However, according to psychological research, most clients experience significant improvement after three months.
It is worth considering that new issues may arise and different perspectives may be gained whilst you are in therapy. This could affect the amount of time you feel you need to spend in counselling compared with what you may have initially expected.
Yes. Counselling sessions are completely confidential. The only exception to this rule is if you were to indicate intent to perform significant harm to yourself or to others. In this case it would be my professional duty to report the issue to the relevant parties in the interest of your well-being.
I have a diploma in therapeutic counselling and am a member of the BACP ethical organisation (the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). I undertake regular supervision with a fully qualified supervisor and member of the BACP. I stringently follow the ethical and professional standards of my ethical body and regularly partake in Continuing Professional Development.
Until April 5th 2025
£55 per 50 minute face to face session.
£50 per 50 minute remote session.
From April 6th 2025
£60 per 50 minute face to face session.
£55 per 50 minute remote session.
You can learn more about the fees applicable and other information relating to the sessions in the Fees, Cancellation & General Policy Page.
Yes! As there are no overhead costs for me for room hire, this is reflected in the fee. I currently charge £55 for a 50 minute face to face counselling session and £50 per remote session.
We need to first decide which direction we are heading in before we start the journey, so your initial session will be used to assess your current situation rather than to begin actual therapy. This allows you the space to identify which issues you would like to focus on. I will be able to gain an understanding of what your needs are and how I can best help you. With this in mind, one session is unlikely to provide you with any lasting benefit.
I am able to provide either telephone, email, text or video counselling via Zoom. More information is provided on remote counselling in the remote counselling agreement section.
The advised frequency of sessions is one per week. This assists in gradual, yet steady progress.
It may be possible for me to provide up to two sessions per week if your circumstances require a more intensive approach. Similarly, it may be possible for me to accommodate a session every fortnight if this arrangement suits you better. However, I may not have any availability, so would be unable to offer more than the standard weekly session.
Counsellors are not eligible to prescribe medication. Your GP would be the point of contact for that particular requirement.
Due to professional boundaries, I will only be available to you at your scheduled appointment time. If you find yourself in a mental health emergency, it is advised that you contact your GP, the Samaritans (call 116 123, www.samaritans.org) or, if appropriate, emergency services.
I can answer many of the queries you may have when it comes to helping you through difficult situations but in these Counselling Frequently Asked Questions I must point you to more suitable emergency organisations / services that can give you the more immediate help you may need.
Sessions are available on an hourly basis from 9:00 until 20:00 on weekdays (finishing at 20:50).
I am also able to offer sessions on Saturdays from 9:00 until 17:00 (finishing at 17:50).
Sessions outside of 9-5 working hours book up quickly. If these are the times that best suit you but there is currently no availability, I would advise you to book a slot at a different time for the time being. I will be able to move your appointment to a more convenient time for you as soon as space opens up.
This is definitely one of the counselling frequently asked questions I hear.
No, this is not necessary to consult or refer to your GP. They may have recommended therapy for you, but you are free to refer yourself for counselling.
To book a general consultation with me, you can either use my online form, email or phone me via the contact details provided. I can then set you up an appointment at a mutually agreeable time.
Regular, consistent work is recommended to achieve the maximum potential from your counselling experience. Therefore, I shall reserve a mutually convenient weekly slot for you which can be decided upon during your assessment. It is preferable that our appointment time remains consistent, but I am mindful of life’s commitments and will endeavour to offer some flexibility. As previously mentioned, if your preferred time slot is not available, it is recommended you take up another appointment time whilst waiting for your preferred time to become available. I will do my best to move you to a more appropriate slot as soon as one becomes free.
Once we have agreed a mutually convenient slot during our first session, I shall allocate that day and time for you on an ongoing basis. However, in the case of any unforeseen circumstance or emergency, it may be possible for me to reschedule your appointment for a different time during that week, provided I have the availability.
In order to reserve a particular appointment time specifically for you each week the full fee is necessary. There is a cancellation policy included within the counselling agreement. Any missed sessions will be charged at the full fee. This includes holidays, work commitments, illness and any emergency.
Payment is required to secure an appointment. You may pay via credit or debit card or cash. Whichever is the most convenient option for you. Details of how to pay via credit card are available on the website. As soon as payment is received, your appointment can be booked. Cash payment may be provided at the beginning of each session.
I am able to offer discounts for block bookings. This is currently at 10% for a block of 10 sessions and 20% for a block of 20 sessions.
As a counsellor, I am committed to your privacy. Sharing of personal information would only happen in extreme circumstances and as such, is a rare occurrence. There are two instances whereby information would need to be shared. The first is if I become aware that you are in imminent danger to yourself or to others, or if someone is a danger to you. I would firstly encourage you to seek the necessary support. If you were unable or unwilling to do so, I have a duty of care to seek this support on your behalf. The second instance is if I become aware that you intend to commit major crime. In which case, I have a legal obligation to disclose this information to the relevant authorities.
Please be aware that under the umbrella of therapy, personal drug use, alcohol or substance addiction is not considered to be criminal activity (unless there is intent to supply drugs or it involves anyone underage).
Thankfully not often required but I still need to ensure that it appears in the Counselling Frequently Asked Questions.
I encourage you to raise any concerns or complaints you may have about me with me directly. If you are not satisfied that I have addressed the complaint adequately, then you may take the matter up with my accredited ethical body, which is the BACP. The complaints procedure is fully explained on their website.
You may be concerned about the wellbeing of someone you care about and feel they would benefit from counselling. However, it is more helpful to their process if the person in question reaches out for help voluntarily.
Waiting to speak with your therapist during your scheduled session can have several benefits:
Focused Time: Waiting until your session allows you to gather your thoughts and focus on what you want to discuss. This can lead to a more productive and meaningful conversation during your session.
Time for Reflection: Taking time to reflect on your feelings and experiences between sessions can help you gain insights and perspective on your concerns. It gives you the opportunity to explore your emotions and thoughts independently.
Maintaining Boundaries: Setting boundaries around communication can help maintain a healthy therapeutic relationship. It allows both you and your therapist to have dedicated time for therapy without interruptions, preserving the therapeutic space.
Encourages Independence: By waiting until your session, you’re encouraged to develop your problem-solving skills and coping strategies between sessions. This fosters independence and empowerment in managing your mental health.
Utilising Session Time Effectively: Utilising session time to discuss significant issues rather than minor concerns that could have been addressed via messages allows you to make the most of your time with your therapist. It ensures that session discussions are focused on deeper exploration and understanding.
It’s essential to discuss communication preferences and boundaries with your therapist to ensure that you’re both aligned and comfortable with the approach.
If there are urgent matters or crises between sessions, I have procedures in place for handling such situations which I will discuss with you.
I do hope that these Counselling Frequently Asked Questions have been useful to you. If you have not managed to find the answer you were after please do feel free to call on 07473 241 144.
