Question 1

What is counselling?

Accepted Answer

Please find more information here where I have written a blog on counselling including the benefits of it.

Question 2

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

I offer face to face (Cheshunt EN8), telephone, video call and email counselling sessions. For face to face and email counselling please contact me directly.

You can book an telephone or video call session here.

Question 3

How much is a session?

Accepted Answer

Fees are £65 for a 50 minute session or per counselling email.

Sessions are payable 24 hours in advance by bank transfer. You can book a session here.
 
I offer limited discounts for students, trainee counsellors, NHS staff and people on low incomes.

Question 4

How do I book a session?

Accepted Answer

You either directly book a session here or you can contact me and we can arrange a session.

Question 5

When and how do I pay for a session?

Accepted Answer

Please make payment by bank transfer at least 24 hours in advance of your session to guarantee the booking. Unfortunately, if payment isn't received 24 hours prior to a session the appointment will be cancelled.

You can book a session here.

Question 6

What happens in the first session?

Accepted Answer

We will discuss what is bringing you to counselling and how we can work together. It's a chance for us to get to know each other a bit more and decide if we feel comfortable working together.
 
We will also talk about how we will work together and how I can support you. 
 
If we both agree to continue working together we can arrange our next session.

Question 7

What happens next?

Accepted Answer

You can directly book a session with me here or contact me directly. Depending on the format of the session you will be sent further details.

Alternatively, once you have contacted me we will arrange your first session.

In the first session, we will discuss what is bringing you to counselling and how we can work together.

It's a chance for us to get to know each other a bit more and decide if we feel comfortable working together.

Question 8

I'm worried that my issues are really small compared to other people.

Accepted Answer

I hear this a lot. If something is bothering you and causing you some kind of impact, it doesn't matter if the issue is small. It still matters.
 
We all struggle with things, we all face difficulties and challenges and no matter how big or small counselling can be a safe and non-judgemental space to talk more about anything that is troubling you.

Question 9

Is it okay to feel worried or anxious about starting counselling?

Accepted Answer

Yes totally, it's normal and okay to feel worried or anxious as well as a number of other feelings. You may feel like this before and during your first few sessions in particular.
 
I'd encourage you to let your counsellor know how you are feeling and any worries you may have so that they can support you with it.

Question 10

I wouldn't know what to say in a session or where to start.

Accepted Answer

That is okay and understandable. I've felt the same before so I can relate.
 
It can help before or in between sessions to make a note of anything that you may want to discuss as a reminder if you do get stuck.
 
I work in an warm and supportive way where you don't feel alone in the session so even if your mind does go blank, it's okay!

If you're feeling worried or anxious about knowing what to say in a session and it's stopping you from getting started then email counselling might be another option for you.

Question 11

How often will we have sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions will normally take place weekly and can usually last from 6 weeks to over a year or longer.

Question 12

When will I start to see change?

Accepted Answer

This varies from one person to another. The process of counselling takes time and it also depends on a number of factors such as what the issue/difficulty is, frequency of our sessions and the amount of effort and commitment you put into our sessions. 
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I have worked with people where they feel a relief and release after a few sessions and for others it can take longer.

Question 13

Are the sessions confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes everything you say in the session is confidential except in the situation where you or someone else is in danger. ​
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We will talk more about confidentiality in our first session.
 
My privacy policy can be found here.

Question 14

Can I end the sessions whenever I want?

Accepted Answer

Yes it's totally up to you. If you would like to end your counselling sessions I'd encourage that you please let me know in advance if possible so that we can work towards an ending.

Frequently Asked Questions