Is the service confidential?
Is the service confidential?
Yes, anything discussed in the counselling sessions is treated as confidential, as long as there is no concern for your or other people's safety. Counsellors are also legally obliged to disclose certain types of criminal intent (e.g. terrorism).
Yes, anything discussed in the counselling sessions is treated as confidential, as long as there is no concern for your or other people's safety. Counsellors are also legally obliged to disclose certain types of criminal intent (e.g. terrorism).
How many sessions will I need?
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on you and the issues you want to address. Sometimes only 3 or 4 sessions are sufficient and allow a client to gain perspective on their situation. Sometimes longer term therapy is beneficial.
This depends on you and the issues you want to address. Sometimes only 3 or 4 sessions are sufficient and allow a client to gain perspective on their situation. Sometimes longer term therapy is beneficial.
How often will I need to see you?
How often will I need to see you?
Again this depends on you, the issues you want to address and the time you have available. Initially I would recommend meeting once a week.
Again this depends on you, the issues you want to address and the time you have available. Initially I would recommend meeting once a week.
How long are the sessions?
How long are the sessions?
The sessions last for 50 minutes.
The sessions last for 50 minutes.
How does counselling actually work?
How does counselling actually work?
The first session will be an initial assessment where your situation is discussed and we try to form an idea of what you would like to gain from counselling. We can then develop a plan on how to address the issues. Sometimes the approach will be to talk about what is troubling you to help you gain more insight into your situation and how to handle it. We might implement a more structured approach like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy where appropriate. Have a look at the What is counselling? page to get an idea of the different approaches.
The first session will be an initial assessment where your situation is discussed and we try to form an idea of what you would like to gain from counselling. We can then develop a plan on how to address the issues. Sometimes the approach will be to talk about what is troubling you to help you gain more insight into your situation and how to handle it. We might implement a more structured approach like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy where appropriate. Have a look at the What is counselling? page to get an idea of the different approaches.
How can I be confident you offer a professional service?
How can I be confident you offer a professional service?
I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and abide by their ethical framework. The BACP has a Professional Conduct Procedure in case there are reasons for concern about the service a counsellor offers or any complaints.
I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and abide by their ethical framework. The BACP has a Professional Conduct Procedure in case there are reasons for concern about the service a counsellor offers or any complaints.
Every BACP member is obliged to attend supervision meetings where they discuss their work with clients to ensure they offer the best possible service. All identifiable details are omitted in these meetings to ensure anonymity and confidentiality.
Every BACP member is obliged to attend supervision meetings where they discuss their work with clients to ensure they offer the best possible service. All identifiable details are omitted in these meetings to ensure anonymity and confidentiality.
I hold a post graduate qualification in integrative counselling and psychotherapy, as well as other counselling qualifications and attend further professional development courses.
I hold a post graduate qualification in integrative counselling and psychotherapy, as well as other counselling qualifications and attend further professional development courses.
I have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (former Criminal Records Bureau) check and professional indemnity insurance.
I have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (former Criminal Records Bureau) check and professional indemnity insurance.