What issues can counselling help with?

Counselling allows you to explore complicated thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It gives you a safe space to talk to someone without judgement and perhaps work through difficult or influential memories. It is a way to understand yourself better, notice behaviour patterns and work towards personal goals and changes.  

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on a few different factors. Therapy is based on trust and this is crucially important to my work as if you don't feel safe talking about deep, personal matters the therapy cannot happen. With this in mind, it is unusual for counselling to last less than 6 session. However, the number of sessions depends on you and the issues you wish to bring. I will review the sessions regularly to see what is helpful for you and what is working.  

How much do you charge?

My current fees are £50.00 for per session. I also offer an initial 30 minute consultation for free. 

Is counselling confidential?

Counselling is confidential as this allows room for you to freely open up about thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Anything that is brought into therapy will remain confidential between the client and the counsellor. However, there are limits to confidentiality that are discussed in the contract before counselling takes place. These limits are that by law, I have a legal obligation to disclose any involvement or information about acts of terrorism, money laundering or drug trafficking. Other limitations are that if I felt you were at risk of harm or that there was a risk of harm to others, then I have a safeguarding duty to report this as a concern in order to keep you safe. 

My professional body requires me to undertake regular supervision and this is a chance for me to discuss some of the work I have been doing with clients and enhance my skills. Whenever I am discussing a client, please be reassured that all details are anonymised. 

How long is each session?

Generally, each session is 50 minutes long. However, when working with children it can be slightly shorter depending on the age of the client.

What is outdoor therapy?

Outdoor counselling brings the 'therapy room' outside in the open space where you can walk along side me rather than face to face. It can be helpful for clients who may feel a little anxious in the confines of a therapy room or struggle with eye contact. Confidentiality and boundaries are things to consider if this is something you would like to do. I will always make sure clients are fully aware of the confidentiality limitations when working outside and will work with the client to ensure there is a way to navigate this during a session by using a phrase or code word if the client bumps into a person they know. 

What happens if I need to cancel my session?

I understand there will be times that you will need to change or cancel a session. If you need to cancel outside of 48 hours notice, there will be no charge. Any cancellations or missed appointments within 48 hours will incur a full charge. On the rare occasion whereby I will need to cancel a session at short notice there will be no charge. I will always try and accommodate a change of appointment if you are struggling with a certain time or day.          

What are my qualifications?

I hold a DipHE in therapeutic counselling, Cache level 3 Counselling skills, NVQ 3 in childcare learning and development. NVQ 3 teaching assistant, Level 2 understanding autism.