If you’re interested in working together, it can be really helpful to start with a free informal conversation – either by phone or video call. This allows me to better understand what you’re looking for and gives us a chance to explore how I might be able to support you. Everyone’s needs are different, so this initial chat is a great way for you to sense if you’d like to continue.
Should you decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your first session. Each session lasts 50 minutes. If we meet in person, sessions take place in my private and confidential counselling room. If online, we’ll connect via Microsoft Teams.
During your first session, we will look at the counselling agreement (contract) which sets out how we will work together to ensure you are comfortable with the contents before we both sign the document.
You may be asked to complete some forms about how you are feelings and these will be kept with your notes. These provide a baseline score for your psychological wellbeing and are usually completed at the start and end of therapy.
Following the first session, we will discuss the date for the next time we meet.
During our sessions, I’m going to be listening really carefully to what you say and seeing if I can help you explore your thoughts and feelings a bit more deeply. Many people find that working in this way helps them to understand more of their feelings and thoughts and also to feel clearer about their choices and actions. I’m not the expert in you or what you should do in any situation which means I won’t be giving you advice. We are going to be working together to create a safe space that helps you to understand yourself, so you can make decisions based on that understanding.
Beginning counselling can feel difficult, and it’s normal to feel a bit off or unsettled after a session. However, therapy offers meaningful support – whether you’re working through painful emotions, facing challenging circumstances, aiming to strengthen relationships, or exploring a deeper understanding of yourself and those around you..
The ultimate goal is to support and enhance your mental and emotional well-being.
To ensure I’m always working well, I monitor my own practice by attending monthly professional supervision and I’m committed to my own self-development. There are times where aspects of our sessions will be taken to supervision to monitor my practice but at no time will any identifiable information be mentioned and my supervisor is also committed to our contracted confidentiality.
Online counselling
I thought it would be helpful to provide some additional information about online counselling to help you decide if you would like to choose this option rather than face-to-face. Being able to see me on a video call gives you more of the benefits you get from face-to-face counselling. For example, I can see non verbal communications such as facial expressions.
Other benefits include being able to have therapy from your own home and using secure software allows confidentiality and peace of mind. Before we start online counselling, I will send joining instructions as well as what to do if the video call stops working.
Some things to consider:
- Are you comfortable using internet technology?
- Would you prefer to see me face-to-face?
- Do you feel your situation is too complex to discuss via the internet?
- Is there a computer or device you can use privately without interruption?
- There can be less nonverbal cues or body language for you or I to read which can lead to misunderstanding.
If you are unsure about anything on this page, or have any questions then please contact me.
