Frequently Asked Questions

To help you make an informed choice and to prepare for a first session, I have listed some of the most common questions regarding counselling.


What is Counselling?

Counselling is a way of enabling choice or change and of reducing confusion. By listening attentively and patiently the Counsellor can begin to perceive the difficulties from the client's point of view.

This can help to see things from a different viewpoint and possibly allow them to be seen more clearly. It does not involve giving advice or directing a client to take a particular course of action. In the weekly counselling sessions the client can explore various aspects of their life and feelings, both present and past, talking about them freely and openly in a way that is rarely possible with friends or family. Bottled up feelings such as anger, anxiety, grief, sadness, and embarrassment can become very intense.

Counselling offers an opportunity to explore these feelings, with the possibility of making them easier to understand. The Counsellor will work at providing a safe place to make this possible. The Counsellor will encourage the expression of feelings and will be able to accept and reflect the client's problems without becoming burdened by them.


How Many Sessions?

There is no time frame; it can be from 1 to 50 weekly sessions or more. Each individual has their own pace and counselling allows for this.

You are in control of what you talk about and part of the Counsellor's role is to work at a pace that suits you. The healing process can be slow and very tiring; sometimes it can seem to get even harder as the work progresses. This is normal and is an indication that healing work is happening. However this can show up as a strong reluctance to come to the sessions. If you find this happening then please discuss this with me in the weekly sessions.


What is Your Method of Working?

I work with a variety of methods broadly referred to as Person Centred or Integrative Therapy. I have a particular interest in Somatic or Bodywork using the theories of Reich and Lowen. I also work using a method of therapy known as Hakomi.


Session Times?

The time agreed at your first session is your time. I will be there at this time every week unless you cancel on the number provided. I will ask you to commit initially for