Going for counselling can be tricky, especially if you’ve not been to see a counsellor or therapist before, so you might be wondering how I can help you. Every therapist is different; they have their way of working based on how they were trained and what theory they follow, so before you start, you need to know what to expect. I have been trained using the person-centred methodology, meaning you can resolve your issues by becoming more self-aware, and I can help you with this. Sometimes, this happens quickly, not so much.
This page is to let you know what to expect from therapy with me so you can decide whether or not we can work together.
The Basics:
Counselling is a talking therapy, predominantly with private providers, although there is some limited NHS provision. My practice is conducted online, using a secure and user-friendly video conferencing software. I do have some face-to-face clients, however these are a minority. My role is to provide you with a safe, confidential space to come and share what is happening with you, but you need to be ready and willing to share – put you want to have counselling to look at something that is causing your mental health concerns. You, the client, discuss your issues with your counsellor in depth, helping you to work through these issues and change your life.
The client must determine what is good and bad in their own life within the boundaries of reason based on what they have learned during sessions. The counsellor’s role is not to tell the client what to do but to help them find their own path. I am not here to advise or tell you how to live your life. What I might do in a situation may not work for you in yours, and you are responsible for your own decisions. One of these is determining if I am the right counsellor for you.
A key factor in deciding this is the cost. My fees are £35 per session or £25 unwaged. I also charge £20 per session for trainee counsellors, but please check if your course provider permits online and remote sessions. As I am based in the UK, I can only work with UK-based clients. We do not have a set number of sessions; we will work together for as long as you feel you need or want to work with me.
The structure of working together is below, with ifnromation about each stage of the process: