Q. Is counselling confidential?

A. Counselling is a confidential relationship. However there may be occasions when confidentiality may be breached - particularly with issues of self harm and harm to others. This is always discussed with  you and with your co-operation, helping you to look at who needs to be involved to ensure your safety and the safety of others. These matters are also discussed with my supervisor and the BACP guidelines are adhered to.

Q. How much do you charge?

A. I charge £55 per hour for individual counselling and £65 an hour for couples counselling. Low cost counselling may be available through the GP or in the local community. Please feel free to discuss these resources with me.

Q. How often will I need to come?

A. Counselling usually takes place on a weekly or fortnightly basis and each session is 50 minutes in duration. The first session is set aside to discuss your reasons for coming to counselling and for us to decide whether we feel we would like to work together. Sometimes depending on the issues I may refer to other agencies.

Q. How many sessions will I need?

A. Counselling can be brief or we may decide together that you may benefit from meeting over a longer period. At the first session we can discuss what will work best for you.

Q. Will you tell me how to deal with things?

A.Counselling is a joint venture and not about me giving you advice. I work from the belief that you are the expert in your life and that you are the one that knows what hurts the most.  I will commit to being alongside you, to work at your speed and respect any decisions that you choose to make. Counselling is a process that flows through the commitment of both parties in the relationship. My aim is to provide you with a safe, accepting relationship where you can be yourself - it is not about being judgmental.