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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs

The FAQ page answers common questions about starting therapy, how sessions work, fees, cancellations, confidentiality, and what to expect. It's a good place to begin if you're thinking about getting in touch but want a bit more information first.

What is counselling and how can it help?

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Counselling is space and time for you! It can provide different things for different people:

 

  • time to talk about something difficult or something that you’ve never shared before

  • an opportunity to explore aspects about yourself, your relationships and your life that you want to make sense of

  • time to offload stress and look at practical ways of coping better

  • time just to recognise that someone can be there for you

  • a safe place to work things out

 

Counselling isn’t about the counsellor giving you all the answers or lots of advice but it’s a place where you can be supported to find your own solutions to the issues in your life. This can help to build your confidence and self-esteem

What is the difference between counselling & psychotherapy?

There is no definitive distinction between counselling and psychotherapy. In general, counselling is a talking therapy which allows individuals to deal with specific life issues, whereas psychotherapy is used to deal with 'deeper' issues, most commonly with those whose past experiences are still affecting the way they relate to others and are causing difficulties in their life.

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Depending on the nature of your problem, therapy can be short or long term. It may be helpful to think of counselling and psychotherapy as being at either ends of a scale. At one end is brief counselling to deal with a specific and current problem, at the other end there is the intense and long-term psychotherapy to deal with deep rooted problems.

How long will our sessions last?

Each session will last for 50 minutes.

How do I know if I need counselling / psychotherapy?

Only you can decide whether you wish to try counselling or psychotherapy. Just talking to someone confidentially who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference. Counselling or psychotherapy provides a regular time for those in distress to explore their feelings and talk about their problems. A counsellor can help you develop better ways of coping, allowing you to live the life you deserve.

What will I have to do at the initial assessment?

The first meeting usually starts off with filling in the necessary forms with your personal details like your name, phone number, address, date of birth and your GP’s details. It's also a chance for you to tell me a bit about the reasons why you are coming to counselling and what you hope to get out of it.

Initial assessments are a chance for us to double check that this is the right place for you.

Why do I have to pay for missed / cancelled therapy sessions?

If we've agreed an appointment time this means I have reserved a 50 minutes slot for you. If you don't attend this, I am unable to see someone else in that time. I am also paying for the hiring for the room, whether I see a client or not. Any missed sessions or cancellations will be charged at the full fee. The cancellation policy applies to holidays, work commitments, illness and other emergencies.

Why do I need to attend weekly sessions?

Regularity is important for productive therapeutic work. The standard format of weekly sessions helps you make gradual and steady progress.

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