Frequently asked questions

 

Do I really need counselling?

 

​You might be wondering if your problems are serious enough to need the help of a counsellor. 

​If you are distressed about something, and you are struggling to find a positive way forward, then counselling is for you. Taking action now and getting the right support will not only stop things getting worse, but it is usually a big investment for your long term future happiness.

You certainly do not need to have a mental health diagnosis or be in crisis to come to counselling.

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​Will it be too expensive?​

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If you feel longer term therapy is not affordable for you, then working shorter term can still be extremely helpful. Therapy with me is based on your needs and what is practical to do with the time and money you have. This work is very personal and therefore we can agree together what the timeframe for you will be.

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Importantly I also offer single session therapy. This can be really helpful if you want to talk through a particular issue, offload your concerns about something, or get a taster about what therapy involves.

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Why is it so expensive?

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I think transparency on this issue is key, both for me personally and because of my responsibilities as part of a profession. As a therapist I have a lot of expenses to cover. I need to pay for supervision every month, which ensures the quality of my work. I also engage in training every year to ensure I am offering a whole range of skills, experience, and knowledge to every client. I have an MSc in psychotherapy, but in addition to this I am trained in EMDR for trauma, mentalisation based therapy, and mindfulness based stress reduction. 

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There are also administrative costs such as insurance, professional memberships, books, advertising, the costs of using online platforms, and the money I invest in maintaining good quality technology. 

 

It is also significant to me that I bring to the table 13 years of experience in the helping professions both in the NHS and privately, and in a range of settings. I feel what I charge is appropriate taking into account all these factors. I do appreciate that affording counselling may be very difficult for many reasons, and therefore I urge you to consider this carefully when deciding who to work with. You may find that working shorter term or doing single session therapy, you can still achieve an enormous amount.

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Will I have to go into my history? 

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There is no expectation you will tell me about your history. We work on what you want to work on, at your pace, and touching only on the issues that you are comfortable with and which feel relevant to why you are coming. 

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What happens if I get overwhelmed?

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It can be very anxiety provoking coming to counselling. You have probably coped on your own for so long that trying something new might give you feelings of anxiety. You might also worry that talking about things will make them worse, or leave you unable to cope with the demands of your life. That is why I work with you closely to practice strategies to stay calm, manage your emotions, and feel in control at all times. 

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Which approach should I choose?

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​It can feel overwhelming sifting through all the information about approaches. My belief is that the main things is finding a person you can trust and feel comfortable with. The therapeutic approach I use is about creating a supportive environment for you, and building a strong relationship between us. We can also discuss options such as EMDR and mindfulness.