Here to Help
Starting counselling
How do I book a counselling session?
The first step is simply to get in touch.
You can use my contact form or email me to let me know a little about what has brought you to counselling and your availability.
I'll then contact you to arrange a free 15–20 minute telephone consultation.
This gives us a chance to talk before you commit to anything and decide whether it feels like I might be the right counsellor for you.
What happens in the first session?
Our first session is partly about getting to know each other and understanding what has brought you to counselling.
I'll ask some questions about you and what you'd like support with, and we'll go through the practical aspects of our work together.
You don't need to prepare anything or arrive with a list of everything you need to fix.
We can start with whatever feels most important to you.
What if I don't know what to talk about?
That's completely okay.
You don't have to arrive knowing exactly what you need from counselling.
Sometimes the most useful place to start is simply:
“I don't really know what's wrong. I just know I don't feel right.”
We'll work from there.
I'm nervous about opening up. Can you help?
Absolutely.
Talking to a stranger about things that are difficult, embarrassing or painful can feel very exposing.
You don't have to tell me everything straight away.
Building trust takes time, and we'll work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
And if you're nervous, you can tell me that too.
You don't need to hide the fact that you're finding it difficult.
What if I cry?
You can cry.
You can also laugh, get angry, sit quietly, lose your train of thought or say something and then immediately wish you hadn't.
You don't have to manage my reaction to your emotions.
We'll make space for whatever is happening.
Am I wasting your time?
No.
If you've found yourself wondering whether your problems are “bad enough” to deserve counselling, you're certainly not alone.
You don't need to be in crisis to ask for support.
There isn't a hierarchy of problems where some people are more deserving of help than others.
If something is affecting you, it's worth having somewhere to explore it.
How counselling works
What is Humanistic Integrative counselling?
Humanistic counselling starts from the belief that people have the capacity for growth and change when they have the right conditions and support.
It places importance on your experience, your choices and the relationship we build together.
Working integratively means that I draw on different therapeutic approaches rather than using exactly the same method with every person.
My training includes Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Transactional Analysis.
You don't need to understand the theories to benefit from counselling.
I'll explain anything that might be useful, and we'll work together to find approaches that feel appropriate for you.
Will you tell me what to do?
No.
I'm not there to make your decisions for you.
I may offer observations, ask questions, gently challenge something or help you look at a situation from a different perspective.
But ultimately, your life belongs to you.
My hope is that counselling helps you understand yourself well enough to make choices that feel right for you.
How long does counselling take?
There isn't a set answer.
Some people come for a relatively short period to work through something specific.
Others choose longer-term, open-ended counselling because they want the opportunity to explore things more deeply.
We'll review our work together as we go.
You don't have to rush to finish because you've reached an arbitrary number.
How often will I have counselling?
Weekly sessions are the usual arrangement because regularity can help us build continuity and work safely and effectively.
However, we'll talk about what works for you and your circumstances.
Longer-term clients may sometimes choose less frequent sessions once the initial work has settled, where this is appropriate.
Can I stop counselling whenever I want?
Yes.
Counselling is something we agree to do together, not something you're trapped into.
If you feel that you've reached the point where you'd like to finish, we'll talk about this together so that we can bring the work to a thoughtful close.
If something isn't working for you, I would also encourage you to tell me.
It may be that we can adjust how we're working together.
Practical questions
How much does counselling cost?
My standard fee is £75 for a 50-minute session.
The fee is the same for face-to-face, online and telephone counselling.
I also offer a free 15–20 minute initial telephone consultation before you decide whether you'd like to book.
Where are you based?
I offer face-to-face counselling from my office in Preston, Weymouth, Dorset.
There is free parking outside and the room is private and quiet.
I also offer online and telephone counselling to clients based in the UK.
Do you offer online counselling?
Yes.
Online sessions take place via Zoom.
You'll need a private space where you feel comfortable talking and a reliable internet connection.
Do you offer telephone counselling?
Yes.
Telephone counselling can be a good option if being on camera doesn't feel comfortable or if talking on the phone simply suits you better.
Sessions are still 50 minutes.
Do I need a diagnosis to have counselling?
No.
You don't need a diagnosis to come to counselling.
You also don't need to have experienced a particular type of event or describe your experiences as “trauma”.
People come to counselling for all sorts of reasons, including difficulties with self-esteem, relationships, confidence, emotions, life changes, identity, boundaries and simply feeling that something isn't quite right.
Confidentiality and privacy
Is counselling confidential?
What you talk about in counselling is treated confidentially within the professional and legal limits that apply to counselling practice.
There are some circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, such as situations involving serious risk or where there is a legal requirement to disclose information.
I'll explain confidentiality and its limits as part of our counselling agreement, so you know what to expect before we begin.
Do you keep notes about me?
I keep records containing information that is necessary for us to work safely and appropriately together.
Your information is handled in accordance with my professional responsibilities, data protection requirements and privacy policy.
I don't use your information to market unrelated services to you or sell your information.
If you'd like more detail about how your information is collected, stored and used, you can read my privacy policy.
Something else on your mind?
If you've got a question that isn't answered here, please don't worry about asking.
You can include it when you contact me, and we can talk about it during your initial telephone consultation.
There really is no such thing as a silly question when you're trying to work out whether counselling feels right for you.