How many sessions will I need?

It depends on what you would like to bring to counselling. The initial chat, as we talk about what you need support with, will be very helpful in deciding whether you would prefer an open-ended approach, or if a structured six session model would work for you. In either case, I would recommend a commitment to at least six sessions to build an effective relationship and allow time to unpick any underlying processes.

It is important to keep some momentum in the counselling process and a regular weekly session provides a dependable and supportive structure to therapy. However, I do understand that for some clients, work and home life makes this commitment impossible. Whilst a committed regular weekly time provides a guaranteed session, I am happy to book on an ad hoc basis, when this approach is needed. After the initial period, we can review and decide on how often and when to meet.

Please let me know in advance if you need to change a session time and I will try to reschedule within the same week. Similarly advance notice of holiday plans, family celebrations or medical appointments allows me to use any vacant time slots to benefit other clients. I’m sorry that I can’t refund cancellations within 24 hours or no shows. In return I will provide advance notice if I need to reschedule a session or arrange any holidays.

It is important for you to feel that you are fully engaged with the counselling you are receiving. I like to review how counselling is working on a regular basis. If you don’t feel it is what you expected, or you are not sure about any methods we are using, please do let me know at any point and we can find how to better meet your needs. If you do decide to stop counselling altogether, to avoid any worry, please do let me know. Any sessions already paid for will be refunded.

In-person counselling takes place in a confidential, dedicated therapy room. Being in the room is supportive for people who find the physical presence of their counsellor comforting or reassuring and is important for some therapeutic methods involving embodied practices.  It is also helpful for clients who are anxious about using technology.  However, all the therapy rooms are in old buildings with step access. If climbing stairs or negotiating narrow corridors presents difficulties, I can offer online sessions via a secure video link.

Online counselling provides access for people who have time pressures that don’t allow for travel, who experience anxiety leaving the home or those with disabilities or access requirements that are better met at home. I will send a secure video link by email. For the duration of the session, clients must have access to a private and confidential space at home where they feel they can speak openly and without interruption.

It can be very hard to see someone struggling, and it is very understandable to want to help. Counselling can only help if the person wants to talk and knows that they will not be expected to share or do anything that they don’t want to. Show them my website and talk to them about what counselling could do to support them. I would need to confirm any appointments with them in person and talk to them on the telephone to tell them about what counselling involves and check they are happy to see me.

Everything you share with me is kept confidential. The only exceptions are extreme cases such as a legal access request or serious risk to yourself or others.  I use a secure video link and email service and will contact you only via your preferred method. I do not confirm your attendance with anyone or send GP reports unless you have requested and agreed them in advance. I keep only brief, anonymous session notes which are stored securely in line with data protection rules. To ensure best practice I must undertake regular supervision with a qualified practitioner, but keep my client's identity anonymous.