Counselling is not something you can prepare for, or practice for, so you don’t need to gear yourself up for it. It is not a ‘new chapter’ but too often people can end up waiting for the 'right time' to start, as with any chore or new activity. Yes, a defined, obvious 'start' is necessary but, in truth, any time can be a good time to make enquiries and to put the journey in motion.
Choosing a counsellor is entirely subjective and the various schools of theory that the counsellor has trained in can appear daunting. Research has shown that it is the counsellor-client relationship that determines the most beneficial outcome rather than the school of theory the counsellor is trained in. An introductory call gives you a feel for the therapist and you can do worse than rely on your intuition.
The first step on any journey is daunting. In this initial session you will get a feel for who I am and how I work. The session will last 50 minutes (as will subsequent sessions). We will run through our working agreement (contract) which forms the basis of how we will work together. This session should also be used to explore what has brought you to counselling and to consider any goals you have in mind.
Counselling is most beneficial and effective when sessions are held weekly. You can decide to end counselling at any stage, although I ask you to discuss this with me so that we can work towards an ending in a therapeutically safe way.
I offer a complimentary 20 min telephone consultation as it is important that you feel we can work together. This also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions. If you would like to organise a session this can be arranged either by telephone, email, WhatsApp or text.
Initial payment (£65) is due at the time of booking and 48 hrs in advance of each subsequent session.