Frequenty Asked Questions
Do you offer an introductory call?
It is important that you find the right therapist for you. To help you I offer a free 20-minute call so we can get to know each other a little and discuss what you are looking for.
Counselling should be a positive experience a place where you feel understood and heard and the therapeutic relationship is the key to success. After this call, you can reflect on how you felt talking to me and whether you would like to continue to work with me. There is never any pressure from me.
How long is each session and how much are they?
The sessions are 50 minutes long and are typically on a weekly or fortnightly basis, but I am flexible to your needs.
Each session costs £50.
Payment can be made by bank transfer before your session, or you can pay by cash when you come to your session. Please do not let my fee be a barrier if I can offer a concession I will.
How many sessions do you need to have?
This is completely up to you. Your counselling can be short term (anything from six to twelve weeks) or it can be long-term, depending on what you need.
What should I expect in my first session?
In the first session we will do an assessment together. This is my starting point of getting to know you. Also, in this session we will work together to determine your areas of focus. There is some important information I will share during this session about confidentiality. It is important for you to feel comfortable and speak freely and openly about your thoughts and feelings so understanding confidentiality is important.
It is natural to feel daunted by the thought of counselling, but I hope that this gives you an idea of what to expect in the first session together.
What if I feel nervous before my first session?
It is completely normal to feel nervous. Remember that taking this step to seek help is brave. Take a deep breath and know that this is a judgment-free space. If you do not know where to start we can use my therapy cards – they are great at helping with this.
Is counselling confidential?
Counselling is a non-judgemental and confidential space where you can talk freely and honestly about your thoughts and feelings.
I would not share anything you tell me unless I feel there was a serious risk of harm to you or to someone else. In this case I will work with you to find you the support you need. I go through confidentiality in more detail in our first session together.
What should I do if I am in crisis?
It is important to know that I am not an emergency service. If you feel that you or someone you know is in crisis, contact:
- The Crisis Response Service on 111 option 2 (24/7 support)
- The Samaritans on 116 123 (24/7 support)
- If you consider a life to be at serious risk of harm, please ring the emergency services on 999
What if you are not the right counsellor for me?
It is important to find the right counsellor for you.
If you feel that we do not have a connection, it is absolutely fine to let me know and I may be able to recommend someone else.
What if I cannot make a session?
It is absolutely fine if you need to cancel a session, but it would really help me if you can give me 24-hours notice.
Can counselling help with depression or anxiety?
Yes, counselling can be greatly beneficial for those experiencing depression or anxiety.
Together, we can work through your feelings and put them into words. You may not know exactly what you are feeling and so then I will ask you to tell me what sensations you are feeling in your body. By verbally expressing sensations in the body, we can see what feelings are attached to those sensations. In this way Gestalt therapy can help decrease depression and anxiety levels.
If you have further questions or want to schedule a session, please get in touch
