Frequently Asked Questions

What is counselling?

Counselling is a confidential, non-judgemental safe space where you will be truly heard. It is not an advisory service. It's about unlocking your potential and discovering the answers you already hold that may be deeply buried. Counselling is about working with you to identify and access your strengths to help improve your mental wellbeing. Equally it's a place to connect with pain, to unpack what is truly concerning you and an opportunity to express the things you may find hard to talk about in your social circles. My role as your counsellor is to walk alongside you in your experience in a non-leading way. We will work together to shine light on some of the sources of your difficulties and work towards healing.  Please read my approach for more information on some of the work we will do together. 

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What should I expect at my first session?

After your free 15 minute consultation, if you decide to invest in counselling, I will send you a counselling contract which outlines the terms of our work together. This is important for you to confirm you are happy with our arrangement and will outline the confidentiality agreement and the boundaries of our relationship. The first session will be an opportunity for us to assess your needs, which is why it will be longer (90 mins) than subsequent sessions that will be 50 minutes long.

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Do I need to sign up for a set amount of sessions?

As we will be working collaboratively it is important we find a way of working that is suitable for you. Therefore you will have the option of booking sessions in advance or as and when convenient for you.

It may be that you intend to have a set number of sessions and that changes. It could be that you require less or more sessions. This is absolutely fine and can be discussed at any time.

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How regularly should I attend counselling?

This is something that can be reviewed at any time. If you prefer to invest in short term counselling, consisting of around 6 to 8 sessions, it is advisable to have weekly sessions to get the most out of our time together. Committing to weekly sessions in an investment in yourself and can help the process of change. However, if it is challenging to meet on a weekly basis, then fortnightly sessions can also be effective.

After you have had a set number of sessions, or have ended therapy, I am happy to offer top up sessions as and when. Sometimes one session can be all that is needed.

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What if I need to end counselling?

You are in the driving seat and are free to end counselling at any time. The purpose of counselling is that once we have helped you to discover your own tools and resources and are feeling stronger and coping better with life, therapy will naturally end. Endings are an important part of the therapeutic process. For some it can bring up past traumas and therefore it is recommended that should you want to end, we discuss this together to ensure you feel supported and ready.

If you find counselling has helped you, it may be something you want to invest in again in the future, should things become difficult. Just as it is important to maintain a healthy body, it is important to maintain a healthy mind. Investing in your mental health and restarting counselling can help prevent a decline in mental health that stops you from living the life you deserve.

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Do you have disability access?

Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access at my practice. However, I offer online and telephone counselling.

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Cancellation Policy

Sometimes we may have to cancel our sessions. I will require 48 hours notice should you need to cancel a booked a session where you will be refunded in full. In the rare event that I need to cancel our session, it is my promise to you to give you as much notice as possible.

When booked, sessions are held exclusively for you. Therefore, if for any reason you cannot give 48 hours notice, the session will be charged in full.