FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

 

How long will counselling take?

The length of counselling depends on the individual and the issue that they bring and is your choice. Once you start the counselling process there is no pressure on you to continue indefinitely. Some clients may attend for just one session and get what they need from that, others for 6-12 weeks or longer. Once we start to work together we agree regular reviews to discuss and check that you are getting what you need from counselling. You are free to stop counselling at any time, but it can be helpful to have some notice so that we can review and evaluate our time together and bring our work to an end.

 

Can I just have a one-off appointment?

For many people the one-off experience of counselling may be all they need at that point in their lives to talk about what is going on for them or to make some decisons about making changes for the better. Therefore, I can offer a stand-alone session, if you prefer.

 

How often will I see you?

Once you decide to see me, we agree to meet together ideally weekly at the same time each week. We will review our work together reguarly to check you are getting what you need from counselling.

It is possible to meet fortnightly if you would prefer.

 

What happens if I can't make an agreed appointment?

If you find you are unable to make your appointment for any reason, I would be grateful for 24 hours notice of cancellation. The whole session time belongs to you and I will be present for the entire time of the session. If you arrive part way through your allotted time, I will see you for the remainder of the time. I will not offer your time to anyone else, even if you are away on holiday. If your circumstances change and the session time is no longer suitable, I will do my best to accommodate this and offer you an alternative time.

 

There is no charge for agreed absences if you are on holiday.

I will be available for you with the exception of my holidays and occasional times when I might attend a training workshop or a conference. I will give you as much notice as possible if I am unable to make a session.  In the event where I need to miss your session because of illness, I will give you as much notice as possible, and will try to offer you an alternative time.

 

When are you available for appointments?

I work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and may have daytime availability on those days. I also offer evening appointments on Tuesdays, Wedsnesdays and Thursdays and have some availability on Saturday mornings.

 

What are your fees?

Choosing a counsellor or therapist is a very personal decision and you need to be sure you feel comfortable with whoever you choose.Therefore for individual counselling I offer a 30 minute free initial consultation so that we can meet, talk about what you hope to gain from counselling and how we could work together. My fee thereafter is £45.00 per 60 minute session.  My student fee is £35.00 per 60 minute session.

 

I offer a limited number of other concessionary counselling places; please do ask about them.

 

My fee for couples counselling is £60.00 per couple for a 60 minute session. (Introductory session is 1 hour and 15 minutes).

 

How can I pay?

Currently by cash, cheque or directly by BACS either after each session or monthly.

 

Is your service really confidential? 

Absolutely. Everything we discuss is completely confidential and will not be passed to another person without your knowledge, with the exception of planned serious harm to self or others, or breaches of Child Protection Procedures. However in these circumstances I would always discuss this with you and make every effort to obtain your permission. I undertake regular supervision and confidentiality extends to all supervision sessions with a qualified supervisor. I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and operate within their Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling. 

 

Do you take notes and what do you do with them?

I take brief notes after each session in order to recall information and support our work together. My notes are kept securely, according to the Data Protection Act (1998) and its outlined processes. No notes are kept on a computer.

 

If you have a question that is not answered here, please do give me a call and I will do my very best to answer it for you, and if I can't, will try to recommend a person,or an organisation that can.