Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by my clients. If they do not answer your problem, then contact me and we will find the answer together.
A counselling hour is generally last 50 minutes. However, this can be flexible depending on your particular requirements.
Life coaching can be a bit different as the first session known as a discovery session tends to be longer, for instance it can be anything up to 2 hours (so a double session), but this will be negotiated at the time of booking.
This is usually weekly but can vary depending on your specific needs and availability.
Counsellors and psychotherapist belong to a professional body to ensure that they are trustworthy professionals and follow the code of their professional body.
I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). I also have and enhanced DBS.
Yes. I abide by the BACP code of ethics. Everything you say is confidential between you and me. The only exception is in cases of risk of self or others. If this is the case and the counsellor must inform someone for safe guarding reasons, it will be discussed with the client first.
This is a requirement by the BACP and all other professional bodies.
There is no fixed time length of the counselling process, as we are all different and people come to counselling with different issues, so this can vary quite a bit from person to person, depending on the individual, their issues, and their needs.
Simple issues can be resolved by short term therapy which is anything between 6 to 8 sessions.
More complex issues can take several months. In-depth long-term therapy, counselling support and life coaching can go on for longer if that is what the client requires.
In the first session I would agree an initial number of sessions with you, after which we would review things and go from there. Just remember these are your sessions and I work with you to come to the best arrangement for you.
It is perfectly natural to feel anxious about starting any type of counselling or therapy. I am friendly and approachable and will do everything I can to put you at ease.
I will take some information from you, go over the confidentiality agreement with you, and offer you a general anxiety questionnaire used by most counselling organisations.
In face-to-face sessions I would settle you in my counselling room and offer you a hot beverage or water, but at present due to Covid there are only online sessions on offer, with the exception of walk and talk therapy which may be possible depending on the current government guidelines on Covid safety.
