FAQs

Counselling offers a safe enviroment for anyone to explore a range of personal issues, to gain clarity and perspective, or a time for self-discovery. If you feel there is something in your life you would like to address in a proactive manner, whether it be as a result of a crisis, personal difficulty or something else, counselling can be a constructive route to finding a resolution.

Depending on whether the session is in person, over the phone or online, there might be slight differences, but generally a counselling session begins by welcoming you in a safe and secure space where you can be open and share what you feel is important. I may ask you "what feels important to you today?" and I will work closely with the content that you share within a session. As a counsellor, I may ask you questions about what you share. If suibtable to the client, counselling can also include some creative ways of working; perhaps through drawing or using objects such as shells and pebbles.

Whether to take medication is a decision made between yourself and your GP. Sometimes it can be a difficult decision to make and it can be helpful to discuss your feelings around taking medication within your counselling sessions.

How many sessions and how often if something to discuss with your counsellor at the initial session. Some counsellors will agree with clients to work for an initial 6-12 sessions and then review how to go forward from that point. How often will vary depending on the client and their situation. Quite often it can be beneficial to start with weekly sessions to establish the counselling relationship and make a consistent start at working towards your goals. Some clients may prefer fortnightly sessions which can also work well. Monthly session may also be appropriate at some point if counsellor and client both feel it is a suibtable way of working.

Monday evenings 4:30pm - 7:00pm Tuesday daytime 9:30am - 5pm Wednesday daytime and evening 9:30am - 7:30pm Thursday daytime 9:30am - 5:30pm Friday morning - 9:30am - 12:00pm Typical session times are 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 4:30pm, 6pm, 7:30pm

The information shared with me is held in strict confidence. Electronically stored information is stored on a password protected drive and paperwork is stored in a locked cabinet. In adherence with the NCS ethical code, I am obliged to break confidentiality if you were to disclose involvement in or knowledge of an act of terrorism, money laundering and drugs trafficking. In addition I have an agency policy to report instances of harm to self or to others and I do have a legal obligation to report harm or abuse to a minor or vulnerable adult. When elements of our sessions are taken to supervision, no identifying information such as your name is used. My supervisor also follows the same procedures for confidentiality as I have outlined. Online counselling takes advantage of the encrypted services offered by Zoom should you chose this method of counselling.

It is important that counsellor and client feel they are able to work well together. I would encourage you to be open and honest with your counsellor and discuss any difficulties you experience in working with them. It can sometimes be a valuable part of the work together. Sometimes a counsellor may remind you of someone and if this will inhibit you in some way then it may be necessary to search for a different counsellor. Again I would encourage you to explore this with your counsellor and they may be able to help you in your search for another counsellor if necessary.

No you don't need a referal from your GP. You can contact me directly by phone or email to arrange an initial session together.

If you are unable to make your appointment please let me know as soon as possible with preferably 48 hours notice. If less than 48 hours notice is given before the session, then the missed session will be charged at a reduced rate of £25.

If we are meeting face to face I will accept cash or bank transfer. For online or telephone sessions payment can be made using bank transfer. I ask that payment is made before or at the time of the session.

There is a step into my house to be able to access the counselling room which unfortunately is not suitable for clients in a wheelchair.

There is a driveway that you are welcome to park on when attending for a counselling session.

I am happy for you to pass on my details to anyone else you know who maybe thinking of counselling. However, the individual will need to make contact with me themselves. It is also important that there are no boundary issues when working with people that know eachother in some way. This is something I would discuss with the individual when they make contact.