How many sessions will I need?
This varies for each client and we will review our progress together regularly. Some clients continue for long-term work, others might prefer to work for 6-8 sessions, and then take a break, others may just want a couple of sessions to sort through their feelings about something specific. It will depend on what you’re looking for from the therapy and we can discuss this together to make sure it’s working for you. If you’re new to therapy, it’s probably useful (but not essential) to plan for a minimum of 6 sessions.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
Choosing a therapist can be tricky! There are so many good ones out there and lots of variation in styles and attitudes. So much of the work depends on building trust and the way we relate together – for some people it can take a while to feel comfortable with someone new. We will use the initial assessment session to check that we are a good fit – it will give you a good indication of whether you feel comfortable talking with me, and will help me clarify whether I am the right therapist for you. We’ll discuss this together, and you will have the opportunity during and after that first session to confirm whether you would like to continue working together.
How confidential are the sessions?
As confidential as possible! I follow the BACP ethical framework, which means confidentiality is absolutely key. This means, for example, if I see you outside our sessions I wouldn’t say hello unless we’d agreed that was ok – for some people therapy is a very private thing. The limits to confidentiality are informed by the ethical framework, safeguarding and risk-assessment, and we will discuss that in the first session.
How do I choose between telephone, online, or in person sessions?
Great question! I have experienced all three types (as a client and as a therapist) and they are all beneficial in different ways. We will complete an initial assessment form that will help us get a sense of whether one type of support might be a better fit for you. Things you could consider when thinking about your preference include:
– Practicalities (suitable technology, wifi, difficulties leaving the house, location and access to my counselling spaces, suitable private space for online sessions?)
– Confidence and competence – if you are used to being online and comfortable using Zoom, you probably have a good sense of whether you can imagine attending an online counselling session. If the idea feels daunting, in person might be a better fit for you.
- Comfort levels – do you find it easy or hard to connect when you’re not in the same room? is it useful to have a transition space between therapy and ‘normal life’? is it difficult to get out of the house when you are feeling anxious? does getting out of the house help provide some structure to your day?
Do I really need counselling/therapy?
You are the best judge of this. Do you want to come to counselling? Could it be helpful to have a supportive, non-judgemental space to explore challenges and difficulties you might be experiencing, or to work out why you’re feeling stuck in a particular part of your life? Unlike in a conversation with a friend or family member, the way we interact in therapy is informed by my professional training and understanding of psychotherapy theory, with you and your experience at the centre. You won’t hear me telling me what you should or shouldn’t do, or criticising or blaming you for things that have gone wrong. Instead I’ll help you to explore the things that are making life hard and better understand your options. Sometimes things can feel fine, but you just feel like you want to talk something through to make sense of it, or get to know yourself better, or get a bit of help finding your purpose and motivation. Whatever the reason, if you’re thinking you’d like to give therapy a go, go for it! I’m here to help you find your path.
What’s the difference between counselling and therapy?
You can probably find a million different answers to this. I use the words counselling and therapy pretty much interchangeably. I’ve done training in Integrative Psychotherapy and also a Counselling Skills certificate. Hopefully reading about how I work on this website gives you an idea of what I offer.