I believe that counselling is about providing a space for you to feel safe and supported, knowing that what you talk about will be kept confidential. It is a place to explore thoughts, emotions and behaviours that may be having a negative impact on your life, and look at way that you can improve your well being. Common reasons for seeking counselling include relationship breakdowns, stress (work, education, home etc...), low confidence, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. One of the most important elements of counselling is the therapeutic relationship that we will build together. I will become an impartial person in your life whilst you are going through therapy. Many clients have said to me that this was one of the most beneficial aspects of counselling for them, as they felt that there was no judgement on what they shared with me and so they were able to discuss and explore their further.
I aim to facilitate you in gaining insight and clarity into elements of your life that at the moment you may be feeling stuck with, and are having an impact on your mood, thoughts and behaviour; this is a very common reason why people seek counselling, with research showing that counselling can help people develop skills to overcome this.
I believe that by offering you environment that feels safe, authentic and free from judgement, you will start to develop useful skills and resources that will enable you to move on in your life.
What isn't counselling?
Counselling is unlikely to give you an instant solution to issues. However, it does provide an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the ways in which positive changes can encourage you to explore difficulties in your life and work towards resolving personal issues.
Counselling is not an advice giving service. It is a supportive service that allows a you to gain an understanding of yourself through self-exploration of emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
Counselling will require a willingness from you to want to make positive changes in your life in order for the work to be as beneficial as possible. However, the fact that you are exploring a counselling website would suggest that there is a willingness or curiosity in pursuing counselling, and that maybe it's time to start the steps that will have a positive effect on your life. If so, please give me a call as I may be able to help you to get more clarity on your options, whether counselling is right for you at this time and what the next step is.
How long will I need in counselling?
This is a very difficult question to answer. However, I always work to 6 sessions and then review the work; I do this because I feel that it offers us a chance to discuss the work we have done in those 6 sessions, so that we can see what may need to be explored further or whether we are at the end of our work together. I have worked with some people that have only come to 3 sessions and felt that that was sufficient for what they needed, and I have worked with others for more than 30 sessions, it is entirely individual but something we can discuss during our intial consultation.
How do I pay for my counselling?
Face to Face Counselling: You can either pay via BACs or cash on the day (or the day prior to your session).
Telephone Counselling: You would need to pay for this option via BACs. I would require payment the day before and will not contact you unless I have received payment. Online Counselling: You would need to pay for this option via BACs. I would require payment the day before and will not contact you unless I have received payment.