FAQ
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What is Counselling?
Counselling is a form of 'talk therapy'. It is a process where an individual, couple or family meet with a trained professional Counsellor to talk about issues and problems that they are facing in their lives. Professional Counselling is confidential and a non-judgmental process.
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What kind of problems can Counselling help me with?
Counselling can help with a wide range of concerns including:
- Abuse - Addiction
- Anger - Anxiety and stress
- Bereavement and loss - Carer responsibilities
- Depression - Divorce
- Health issues - Major life changes
- OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) - Phobias and fears
- Redundancy and work issues - Relationship difficulties
- Sexuality -Trauma
- Violence
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What type of Counselling do you provide and which is best for me?
I offer two types of Counselling:
Open ended Counselling: I mainly provide open ended Counselling, a therapy which is at your own pace. This will allow you time and space to gradually develop insight into the root cause of your concerns. You can continue in therapy for as long as you want, which can range from months to years.
Short-Term Counselling: Short term Counselling is a good step for people who do not want to make a long term commitment or have a particular issue to work with such as a relationship difficulty. It is often used by people who have had Counselling in the past and want to return to work on a particular issue.
Short term Counselling is usually from 6 to 20 weeks, we can agree the issues that need to be worked on and set aims for the sessions.
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What model of Counselling will you use?
I am a Person-Centered Counsellor, but I also work in an integrative way, by this I mean, I will combine different therapeutic tools and approaches to fit your individual needs. Such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which can be extremely useful, however I do not offer pure CBT.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy involves learning skills for overcoming behaviours, habits or reactions that are “making things worse”. This could be learning ways to overcome panic attacks or stress, for avoiding the triggers for overeating or even from entering into unsuitable relationships.
I will incorporate CBT as part of other therapeutic models, but it only suits some personalities and some situations. Used on its own it is usually unhelpful for bereavement, loss or a recent trauma. It would for instance, not be used for someone coming to terms with a recent bereavement, but it may become helpful at a later time.
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How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
My aim is to offer you an initial consultation, within 24-48 hours of your first contact. An appointment to start your Counselling sessions will then be offered within one week of your initial consultation.
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What is an initial consultation appointment?
The first session of any Counselling is an initial consultation which lasts for around an hour. During this time, I will ask you certain questions about you and your life. This information helps me to make an initial assessment of your circumstance and give me insight into how I might be able to help you.
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Will the Counsellor give me advice?
I do not give you advice, or tell you what to do or judge you in any way. The aim of Counselling is to help you come to your own decisions, only you know how you feel in any given situation. I will sum up my understanding of what you have been saying so that I can help you to form a plan of action.
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Can I have Counselling even though I'm not in crisis?
You do not have to be in crisis or on the verge of one before choosing to see a Counsellor. Take the first step by contacting a Counsellor to see how Counselling can help you. If you are currently struggling with a particular issue in your life, call me and we can have a conversation to see how I could help you.
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What can I talk about?
Before coming in for your first session, it may be helpful to write down your reasons for seeking help. This will help you to describe your feelings easier and more comfortably. You can talk about anything that is on your mind, however large or small you think your problem is. You might find yourself saying things you had not expected to say. I am here to help you explore your circumstances.
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What's the difference between talking to a friend and talking to a Counsellor?
It is very important to talk about your feelings, talking to your family and trusted friends can be helpful. I would always encourage you to use family and friends for support. However, there are some disadvantages to using them as your only confidants and support.
Family and Friends could feel a conflict of loyalty and find it hard to keep things confidential and may also find it difficult to be objective. They may become upset themselves by what you are telling them and could become upset if you don’t accept their advice.
As a trained Counsellor I am able to offer you formal support and work with you in a structured way which helps you to deal with upsetting and difficult situations; friends may begin to feel overburdened, especially if they have their own problems too.
