​Counselling FAQs

What can I expect from Counselling?

Our Counselling sessions will provide you with a safe, non-judgemental and confidential therapeutic space in which you can talk and reflect upon issues or problems you may be currently facing, or difficulties you may have experienced in your past.  Counselling is also non-directive, which means that I will not tell you what to do, but instead I will help you explore your thoughts and feelings to enable you to move towards increased self-awareness and understanding of how to move forward with your life and your relationships. 

If you are coming as a Couple, the Counselling will enable each of you to talk and explore aspects of your relationship. The therapy can help you learn more about each others needs and with improved communication, enable the relationship to move forward.

How long are the sessions and when will we meet?

Your sessions will last for 50 minutes and normally we will meet at the same time every week.  I can sometimes offer flexibility, for example, to accommodate “regular” shift-working patterns.  Counselling sessions are held on Mondays to Fridays from 7.30am to 8.00pm, please contact me to enquire about session availability.

Are our sessions confidential?

I will respect your confidentiality and will not share information about you with others apart from a small number of exceptional circumstances, for example, child protection.

Do I need to prepare in advance for my Counselling?

There is no need to prepare anything in advance, as the Counselling sessions will provide a safe space for you to reflect about anything which is of importance to you.

How much will the Counselling cost & how will I pay?

I offer a free half hour initial consultation.  Subsequent Counselling sessions are £45 for Individuals and £60 for Couples. I may be able to offer some flexibility on fees for low-income households. 

Please note: CBT session fees can be provided upon application.

You can pay by cash or via bank transfer.  I will ask you to pay for any cancelled or missed sessions unless at least 24 hours notice is provided.  This fee waiver is subject to my 'fair fee cancellation policy.'  Please enquire for details.

How long will I/We need to attend Counselling?

We can establish during your first counselling session whether you prefer to have short-term focussed counselling (between 6 and 12 sessions), or whether you would prefer to work in a more open-ended way.  Whichever approach you choose, we will regularly be able to review progress.  You can of course decide to end your Counselling sessions at any time, although it is widely accepted that clients find it most beneficial to have a planned ending to their therapy.  This would provide you with an opportunity to review your counselling work and bring our counselling relationship to a close.

Is Counselling different to CBT? 

While they are both ‘talking therapies,’ the therapeutic approach is quite different and so you may find that one approach suits you far more than the other.  We can discuss the most suitable therapy for you, during our first meeting.