What To Expect
I offer a free 15 minute consultation call or video chat to allow us to meet and ask any questions you might have about myself and my practice. It's an opportunity to gain some clarity and see if I might be a good fit for your needs. Deciding to have counselling is a big decision and picking a counsellor that's right for you is important which is why I would encourage you to consider what you hope to gain from therapeutic work and how I might be able to assist with that. If this seems intimidating, it can just be an opportunity to see if we are a good fit. Some people like a plan, others struggle with it. I'm happy with either! If you want to chat and see if we are compatible, lets do that!
I use the consultation to explain the way that I work and find out a little about whats brought you to counselling as well as what to expect if we decide to work together. There is no obligation to proceed with booking sessions after our chat should you decide it's not for you. I sincerely hope you find the right person to support you, even if that is elsewhere.
If you decide to proceed with sessions we will agree on a starting date and time for our first session as well as the method (telephone, zoom or in person). We might decide an initial number of sessions (if you wanted a set number) and I will send you out some documents to review. You will receive a counselling contract and counselling agreement that outlines both of our responsibilities and includes the privacy policy documents for your information. If you had any questions about these, you can email me or discuss it in our first session. However, the consent form will need to be returned before our first session and upon receipt I will email you either the session link for Zoom or the address for face to face. I know this bit sounds like a lot, but it's just explaining what you can expect from me and can ease some worry about sessions. We can go through these in person if that would make you feel better and every person gets a document with images of the therapy space, the external area around the office and other general information. This is where my autism is helpful because when I had my own therapy, half the anxiety was about what things looked like, how to get there etc!
Part of the first session will be establishing any goals you have and asking questions about what you are hoping to achieve. These will be regularly referred back to and checked at 6 week intervals to check progress and shift the focus if needed. These goals do not need to be grand ones, just not feeling rubbish anymore is a perfectly acceptable goal!
Fees are £50 per 50-minute session with discounts for block-booking 6 sessions at a time.
Payment is required same day via bank transfer or cash on the day, I can text reminders if you struggle with remembering (ADHDers, you wonderful people, I'm looking at you! Object permanence who?)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does counselling help?
Who qualifies for concessionary rates?
How does counselling help?
The fact you've made it onto my website is a fantastic sign of prioritising yourself. Counselling works because there are no judgements or stigmas from the counsellor and you don't have to "watch what you say" like you might do around friends and family. My interest is helping you with whatever needs, issues or problems you might be facing. Having a supporter with solely your interests at heart can help facilitate that change you are hoping for. If you have goals to work towards, fantastic. We can tackle them together. And if you don't? That's okay too, Sometimes the goal is just a different mindset or finding peace.
Are you insured?
Who qualifies for concessionary rates?
How does counselling help?
I am fully insured and compliant with GDPR regulations and the ICO data storage. Please click the button for more information.
Who qualifies for concessionary rates?
Who qualifies for concessionary rates?
Who qualifies for concessionary rates?
I have limited spaces dedicated to concessionary rates for those who are unemployed, on low income, are students or counselling trainees. It's my way of giving back and doing a small amount to help the next generation of counsellors and psychotherapists.
Drop me an email to check availability.
Can you see me long term?
Is your counselling like cbt?
Who qualifies for concessionary rates?
Yes! Sessions are typically in 6 week cycles to gain the most out of our time together but I am happy to have long term sessions. We will check at regular intervals progress similarly with shorter term work but it gives us more options to delve into deeper topics without being mindful of end sessions. I offer a discount on booking and prepaying for blocks of 6 week sessions which might be beneficial if this is an avenue you are looking at and you can choose to end sessions whenever you feel ready.
Is your counselling like cbt?
Is your counselling like cbt?
Is your counselling like cbt?
No, not at all. CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a form of therapy that is goal orientated and centres around "fixing" a particular problem. It is particularly effective with problems such as anxiety or some phobias. The type of therapy I offer is talking therapy where we explore not only the problem, but the origins to try and tackle it completely. Where CBT will set you tasks or homework, I will focus our sessions in the room and use our time there as effectively as possible. Neither is better than the other, it is dependant on the problem and the person.
Will counselling always work?
Is your counselling like cbt?
Is your counselling like cbt?
Counselling is a collaboration between counsellor and client. The counsellor guides and supports you along the way, but the work comes from you. I cannot give you the answers or tell you what to do, there is definitely a personal commitment element required to get the most out of sessions. Hopefully with guidance you can explore in greater depth your problems and notice patterns of behaviour. By developing healthier coping strategies and increasing self-awareness, you should have the tools to build a more resilient future. There is no guarantee it will work, but with time and being open to the process, change is possible.
I emailed and haven't heard back, what do i do now?
I emailed and haven't heard back, what do i do now?
I emailed and haven't heard back, what do i do now?
I'm sorry I wasn't available at the time you contacted me, I might have been in a session with another client, supervision or another professional commitment. I will endeavour to return your email at my earliest availability. In the meantime, I would ask for 48 hours grace to respond to communications. I have strict working hours for my health and will not reply outside of those hours. Sit tight, I'll respond as soon as I am able!
things are too overwhelming, can i take a break?
I emailed and haven't heard back, what do i do now?
I emailed and haven't heard back, what do i do now?
I understand that therapy can be overwhelming at times and you might need a break, identifying this is a huge achievement that you should be proud of. Prioritising your needs is imperative to achieve your goals. I would ask that you mention this to me in person at our next session so we can make a plan moving forward that will work best for you. If that's taking a break, stopping sessions completely or even moving them from weekly meetings to fortnightly or monthly. If talking is too difficult for you, please email me. I am here to support you on this journey.
When can i end my sessions?
I emailed and haven't heard back, what do i do now?
What's your social media policy?
Should you wish to end sessions you can do this at any time, I would just ask for a little notice to ensure that our last session is a positive end to reflect our work together. We can use this time to reflect upon your journey, your goals set initially and at any reviews and celebrate your progress.
If you wish to restart sessions in the future, just contact me in the usual way.
What's your social media policy?
Whats the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
What's your social media policy?
Like many individuals, I am active on select social media sites and my accounts are restricted view to protect my family's privacy. I do not accept social media requests from current or former clients to uphold boundaries and the integrity of our time together. I infrequently check my private messages on those platforms so please contact me via email or on the contact section of this website to ensure a timely reply. I hope you understand my reasons for doing this.
Are all sessions kept confidential?
Whats the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Whats the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Confidentiality is a high priority for me to ensure a safe, comfortable space and positive therapeutic rapport. However, there are limits to confidentiality that I have explained in more detail on my Terms of Service Page. Please click the button below for more detail.
Whats the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Whats the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Whats the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
This can be a long and drawn out answer but essentially psychotherapy delves deeper into the origins of your problems and is typically a long-term therapeutic journey. Counselling is shorter term focusing on your goals and problems in the here and now.
Why should I pay to see you when the NHS is free?
Why should I pay to see you when the NHS is free?
Why should I pay to see you when the NHS is free?
An excellent question and I can hopefully give more information about the differences. The NHS usually refers you for CBT therapy taking your thoughts and behaviours and reduces their impact on you. They don't tend to delve into the "why" of these patterns. If you get talking therapy with the NHS, they might deal with the why in the present day and typically only 1 concern. Both of these therapies are limited to 6 sessions, and a pretty long wait list depending on your area which can be months, or years. My therapy is a cost, but I am flexible, available within a short time or immediately (depending on my caseload) and open ended. I not only deal with the why, but the "where has this come from" too. Therapy is a personal choice dictated by a lot of factors, time and money being a big one.
Help, i'm in crisis.
Why should I pay to see you when the NHS is free?
Why should I pay to see you when the NHS is free?
Should you find yourself in crisis and needing immediate support, please contact either 999, NHS 111 or other crisis support lines such as Cruse Bereavement on 0808 808 1677, or Samaritans on 116 123.
what type of therapy do you offer?
Why should I pay to see you when the NHS is free?
What types of payment do you accept?
I am an integrative counselling psychotherapist drawing from different modalities and adapting the work to client needs. I work relationally and client-centred because I believe the therapeutic relationship between us is a huge factor in the success of therapy and that you are the expert on yourself, so though I may guide you ultimately you know yourself best and what might suit your needs/goals.
For more, see my How Can I Help page
What types of payment do you accept?
What types of payment do you accept?
What types of payment do you accept?
I accept payment via bank transfer, or cash. I do not accept cheques.
Do you see couples?
What types of payment do you accept?
How quickly can i see you?
I do not see couples together though I welcome you separately. My focus is best on one client at a time as it ensures a better therapeutic relationship between us and a more open transformative environment.
How quickly can i see you?
What types of payment do you accept?
How quickly can i see you?
From initial contact where we have a 15 minute consultation, to setting an initial session date can be as soon as the following week dependant upon our shared availability. Paperwork will be emailed out and due prior to the initial session but it can be very quick should you want sessions quickly.
what experience do you have?
Do you have evening sessions?
Do you have evening sessions?
Please see my About Me page using the navigation bar or button below.
Do you have evening sessions?
Do you have evening sessions?
Do you have evening sessions?
Yes, I currently offer 2 nights a week for evening sessions (until 8pm).
Please message me for availability.
Can i rearrange sessions?
Do you have evening sessions?
Can i rearrange sessions?
Depending on my availability, it might be possible to rearrange a session or two but if your current time or day is becoming problematic, please let me know and we can see if a better slot suits your needs right now.
Do you see children?
Do i need to be neurodivergent to see you?
Can i rearrange sessions?
I am undergoing further training so I can work with children but currently this is something I ethically cannot provide. I can see young adults aged 13+ though even then I would feel more comfortable with 16+ until I have completed my training. Being fully equipped and working ethically are central to my practice so I am ensuring I am working in line with both BACP requirements but also within my person ethics.
Can i refer my child to see you?
Do i need to be neurodivergent to see you?
Do i need to be neurodivergent to see you?
You can absolutely contact me about your young adult possibly starting therapy. Whilst I encourage parents to support their young adults in this process, I draw a hard line regarding their privacy and confidentiality once therapy has begun similar to any adult. I support a large number of young adults who have been referred by their parents to begin this process and understand how challenging that can feel for the adults.
Do i need to be neurodivergent to see you?
Do i need to be neurodivergent to see you?
Do i need to be neurodivergent to see you?
Absolutely not! I am happy to support neurodivergent or neurotypical individuals and give them the same time, care and attention. My caseload is fully neurodivergent at this time but that can fluctuate. I will support anyone who would like to work together.
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