Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a session?
All sessions including the initial session last for 50 minutes.
How frequent are the sessions?
Sessions will take place weekly at the same time and at the same venue.
What happens at the initial session?
The initial session is an opportunity to see if we would like to work together and proceed with the counselling. You will be able to ask me questions about the counselling process, as well as telling me what brings you to counselling. I in turn will need to ask you some questions and also explain how I work. If we decide at the end of the session that we don't want to go on to work together, I can help to direct you to another organisation or counselling directory as appropriate.
How will I know if I need short term or open ended counselling?
Sometimes it can be obvious that the issue you bring can be looked at as a piece of short term work. When this is not the case, we can engage in open ended counselling, with regular reviews every six weeks to see how we are progressing. Regular reviews of how the counselling is going is an important part of the process.
What is the difference between short term and open ended counselling?
Short term counselling ranges from between 6 to 12 weeks of work, whereas open ended counselling is longer term and does not have a fixed end date.
What if I decide I no longer want to work with you?
The relationship between the client and counsellor is one of the key parts of the counselling, so it would be useful for both of us if we look at why you no longer want to work with me. After we've done this you might decide you would like to carry on working with me. If not we can end the counselling. An important part of the counselling is the ending of the relationship between the client and the counsellor.
How will I know when I'm ready to end?
As we proceed through the counselling, we continually review progress and this will indicate to us whether the time is right to end.
Will our work be confidential?
What you say at the session will be treated in strict confidence. What is meant by confidentiality will be explained at the initial session. As a counsellor and as a Member of BACP, I am bound by their code of ethics, which includes a requirement for regular confidential Supervision. I can explain more about this when we meet.
I've decided I want to make some changes, I know what they are but don't know how to go about it. I don't want open ended counselling. What is appropriate for me?
There are a number of approaches I use which are suited to this kind of short term work, these include Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, NLP or CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
My solicitor has requested a letter stating I am attending counselling, can you provide one?
Yes, but there will be a charge for any such letters.
