What is counselling?
Counselling offers a safe space to think about any emotional difficulties with a trained counsellor who is non-judgemental and treats whatever you want to talk about in a confidential way.
What does therapy feel like?
The short answer is that it will be different for everyone. It is a safe space where you can share what is on your mind. One of the powerful elements of counselling is to be listened to, without judgement, by someone who understands. Feeling heard, feeling seen and feeling understood can be very powerful. You may get upset or angry or cry in the sessions, or between sessions, and this can feel unsettling for you. I am trained to help you cope with your emotions that come up.
How can counselling help people with short-term memory problems?
You may worry about forgetting what we have discussed in the previous session and wonder how counselling can help if you have memory lapses. This is a valid concern, though in counselling we address what is going on for you at the time when you talk to myself. This could be very different from week to week, as it is with people who do not have memory problems. If a particular feeling is affecting you week after week, it will emerge and we will address it, but there is no need to worry about remembering.
How can family members help?
Whilst counselling is confidential and the content we talk about will generally not be shared with others, it can sometimes be helpful to include family members. For instance, family can help when it comes to administrative tasks, such as booking appointments, making sure you get to the counselling location (or log on in time if you have counselling via Zoom), or as support in ‘emergency’ situations. How much you want to involve your family is up to you, and your counsellor will be able to answer general questions your family will have.
Can I work with a counsellor online or over the phone?
Yes, you can indeed. I am qualified to work both online and over the phone. Regardless of how therapy is delivered, I am committed to adhering to the code of ethics of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
What can counselling help with?
You don’t have to be in a crisis to have counselling. It could simply be that you are anxious about the changes in your life. Or you may feel that it is difficult to overcome the necessary changes in your life. Counselling can help with understanding yourself better.
What can I expect from my initial session?
The initial session is a ‘get to know’ session for both you and myself. You will get a sense of how I work and you may ask any questions. You will be asked what brings you to counselling and about the issues you want to work on. You will be asked questions about your personal circumstance so I can make sure that I am the right person to help you.
What if I want to stop my sessions?
It is best to talk to myself when you want to stop working with me. It is best not to just stop abruptly, if possible, but to discuss the ending. Counselling can sometimes have the effect of making you feel unsettled because of the issues that come up. You can talk to me about this so that I can support you.
How many sessions will I need?
Counselling can be both short term and long term. Ultimately, the amount of sessions will depend on various things like the complexity of the issues you want to bring, how the relationship with the counsellor is developing, or the kind of counselling or therapy that is applied. It is unusual for counselling to be for less than six sessions, as counsellor and client want to get comfortable with each other so they can work on your issues in depth.