Q. What will happen when I contact you?

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A. I will arrange to call you at an agreed time to introduce myself and enable us to have a brief chat about what you are hoping to work through and when you are looking to attend sessions.  We can then book in an initial session.  The initial session is an opportunity for us to meet and discuss working together.  It is important that you feel safe and comfortable both with me and within the counselling space.   From this session the hope is that we feel we can work together and that any questions or concerns you may have, have been answered.  At this point if we agree to work together we will complete a working agreement setting out how we will work together.  See an example of my working agreement below 

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Q. what can I talk about in therapy?

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A. You can talk about absolutely anything you wish to, no topic is off limits. My aim is to create a safe space for you to explore whatever you want to, nothing is too big or too small to bring. 

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There may be times as a counsellor I feel I am not the right person to work with you on a particular issue either because I feel I am not qualified enough in that area, or for personal reasons.  If this is the case it may be that we need to work together to find you another counsellor to refer you on to.  This is ensure  you get the best possible support. 

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Q Is everything confidential?

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A. Confidentiality in counselling is taken very seriously. you can be reassured that everything spoken about in the therapy room will stay in there.  The only time confidentiality may be broken is if I feel there is significant risk of harm to yourself or to another or it is a requirement by law.  If I feel that I need to breach confidentiality where possible I will always discuss this with you. 

 

As a member of the BACP I am required to attend regular supervision where I discuss my case work.  My supervisors are very experienced and supervision provides a place for me to reflect in depth about all aspects of my practice and  to ensure I am working both safely and ethically.   Supervision is bound by the same level of confidentiality as our counselling sessions and no identifying information will be shared within supervision. 

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Q. Who are the BACP?

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A.  The (BACP) The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is a professional organisation within the UK for Counsellors and psychotherapists.  By being a member I adhere to their Ethical Framework which acts as a set of guidelines to ensure safe and ethical practice.  As a member I have to have proved my competency as a counsellor and I am required as a member to attend regular supervision and continue to expand my skills and knowledge to aid my professional development.  If you wish to know more please visit the 

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Q.  How long is a session?

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A.  Sessions are 50 minutes long.

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Q.  How frequently do we meet?

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A.  Ideally sessions are weekly at the same time each week.  Sometimes this may not be possible or convenient for you, so together we would arrange sessions at mutually agreeable times.

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Q. How many sessions will I need? 

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A.  This varies from individual to individual.  I offer both short term and long term therapy and this will be discussed during our initial session to see what works best for you.  During our work together we will regularly review (usually at 6 week intervals) to see how things are going.

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Q. How do I cancel a session?

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A. If you need to cancel a session then I ask for as much notice as possible however I do understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances arise and that is not always possible.  If a session is cancelled with less than 24hrs notice then I would ask for payment for the missed session.

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Q.  What if I am running late for a session?

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A.  We all run late sometimes, if you are just text me to let me know when to expect you.  I will however have to finish the session at the original time.

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Q.  How can I pay for my sessions?

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A.  You can pay in cash/card or by bank transfer.  I do ask that payment is made before each session if paying by bank transfer or at the end of the session if paying by cash/card.  

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You can also pay in blocks of 6 sessions where I offer a 10% discount.

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Following our initial session if we agree to begin working together I do ask that payment is made for the following session on booking in that session. 

 

If there is an outstanding payment I will not be able to book you in for subsequent sessions until payment has been received.

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Q. What are your Qualifications?

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A.  I hold a level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling awarded by CPCAB which is a recognised national awarding body.  Prior to this I also completed level 2 in counselling skills and level 3 in counselling studies. 

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Beyond my formal counselling qualifications I have also undertaken additional training to enhance my practice. These include;

• Mental Health First Aid

• Assist (Applied suicide intervention skills)

• Suicide Prevention

• Understanding Development- Adolescence

• Shock & Stress

• Prevent

• Safeguarding

• Working with Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

• Working with Trauma

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I have also completed MindEd certificates of Achievements in;

• What is Counselling for Children, Young People and Young Adults

• Key differences between counselling Adults and Children/Young People

• Counselling in Schools

• Counselling Children and Young People

• Legal and Ethical Framework

• Facilitating Emotional expression

• Working with Emotional Meaning

• The Range of Creative and Symbolic Methods

• Creative Methods in Action

• The Legal Framework for working with Young People 

• Capacity and Consent

• Counselling in Secondary Schools

• Developing Sexuality

• Counselling and Specialist CAMHS

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