Read our most frequently asked questions
Counselling gives you the opportunity to talk about your concerns in a confidential setting with a counsellor who will listen to you carefully and help you explore your situation. It is up to you to choose what you would like to talk about. Counselling can help you get a clearer understanding about yourself, your problems and your feelings. Counselling can help you discover different ways of thinking, feeling and behaving, but cannot change your circumstances for you.
Yes, we are fully qualified and have significant post-qualification experience. We are registered members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Only you can decide if you want to try counselling. If you are struggling to cope and are finding day-to-day life difficult, you may benefit from talking with a counsellor. Just talking to someone confidentially who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference. Counselling provides a safe space for you to explore your feelings and talk about any problems you’re experiencing. A counsellor can help you develop better ways of coping, allowing you to be able to move forward.
The NHS states counselling is a talking therapy involving a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues.
‘Counselling’ and ‘therapy’ are often used to mean the same thing but, generally, counsellors look at specific issues over a short time period, whilst therapists may go ‘deeper’, with treatment being over a longer period of time. It is common for counselling to be referred to as ‘therapy’ and vice-versa.
It is true that counselling is sometimes available free of charge in some GP surgeries or through some charities. These organisations may have a long waiting list. Our team are flexible, offering appointment times outside of office hours, and without a waiting list. We are ready to work with you when you are ready. Weekend appointments are also available.
In choosing to see an independent counsellor, you have the choice of who you wish to work with, rather than having a counsellor allocated to you. This means you can look around and find the counsellor who is experienced in working with the difficulties you are experiencing. You also have the freedom to find a counsellor located close to work or home rather than the inconvenience of travelling to your GP surgery.
The number of counselling sessions an individual may have in the NHS, Employee Assistant Programmes or through charities is often time limited to say six or eight sessions. Choosing an independent counsellor puts you in the driving seat where our sessions are not restricted by number.
When counsellor’s train, they learn to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. While this conversation may feel excruciating for you, it will not be nearly so awkward for your counsellor. It’s a counsellors job to get feedback from their clients about how they feel the therapeutic relationship is developing.
Let your counsellor know what the problem is – for example, you feel you don’t have a rapport with them. You can be as direct as you like, and you don’t need to worry about finding the right words.
After hearing your thoughts, your counsellor will probably suggest you explore them together within your session. If you’re willing to do this, then it can really help the therapeutic relationship to develop and thrive.
Sometimes despite doing all your research in finding a counsellor, you and your counsellor just won’t fit. You deserve to have a counsellor you can work well with.
In this case, let your counsellor know you want to end the sessions. The most important thing is that you find a counsellor for you.
Having a safe, confidential space is an important part of counselling, it’s not appropriate to have a friend or family member present during the counselling session.
However, we recognise that you might be anxious or nervous about coming to counselling and could benefit from being accompanied by another person.
If you did choose to bring someone with you, they would be welcome to wait with you until you have your session and then come back to meet you at the end of your session.
Usually sessions are weekly, especially in the first 3-4 sessions. This gives an opportunity to develop the therapeutic relationship. Please note that this is not set in stone and if you prefer sessions to be fortnightly we will accommodate this. However, we do not recommend any less than this.
Initially we offer six sessions, with an option of extending to longer term work if both you and your counsellor agree this is appropriate.
Each session will last 50 minutes.
Yes, we offer face-to-face (in-person), telephone and online counselling.