Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT HAPPENS IN A COUNSELLING SESSION?
We will spend an hour together in a private room where you can talk about anything that is concerning you. I will not judge you, I will allow you the space to explore your feelings, any stress, depression, anxieties and inner most thoughts, the time is yours. You can expect to be heard, respected, and supported.
WILL OUR SESSIONS BE CONFIDENTIAL?
Please be assured all of our sessions will be confidential between us, unless there is cause for your safety and wellbeing, but this will be discussed further in our initial assessment session.
CAN I REALLY TALK ABOUT ANYTHING I LIKE?
Yes you can. Our relationship is completely confidential, there are only a few exceptions to this rule which we can discuss at our first session.
DO YOU TALK TO ANYONE ELSE ABOUT ME?
All professional counsellors are required to have regular case supervision to ensure best practice and safety for our clients. I meet regularly with another experienced counsellor who is trained in supervision for this purpose, but clients' personal details are not revealed during these meetings.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
Every client is different and I do not set a limit on how many or few you will need. We will work this out together. This will be dependent on your personal difficulties and you are not limited to a specific number of sessions. A regular review will be undertaken where we will discuss progress so far and whether counselling is still required/necessary.
HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?
Each session will last for an hour. Experience has shown that this is a manageable time for both client and counsellor. It is important that time boundaries are adhered to. Unfortunately, if you arrive late I would be unable to run the session past its original finish time.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The sessions are £60 (£80 for a couple's session lasting 1 hour 15 minutes) and I reserve the right to ask for the fee should you cancel within 24 hours or fail to arrive. Fees are payable in cash or by cheque at each session. It is usually best to have weekly sessions, at least to start with, but the frequency of sessions can be negotiated to suit your needs. Counselling Supervision is also £50 per hour or £75 for an hour and half. Fees may be negotiated if finances are a problem.
HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TO ATTEND?
To make the most out of counselling and to ensure the best chance of success, counselling sessions usually take place once a week and are 60 minutes in length. However if you would like less regular appointments this can be discussed.
CAN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY HELP SOMEONE WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM?
It is true to say that most of us struggle with self-doubt from time to time. It is part of what it means to be human. It only becomes problematic when an insufficient sense of self-worth or self-respect interferes with our day to day ability to function well and act within our own best interests. Self-esteem depends on many factors. These may include how loved we feel and have felt, our sense of belonging in our current lives and in earlier life experiences. Low self-esteem can have a significant impact; for example, we may not put ourselves forward to take up new challenges or opportunities because we do not feel worthy or deserving of success. The good news is that self-esteem is not necessarily a fixed state and, through exploring some of the many factors that contribute to self-esteem, it is usually possible to bring about change.
WHAT ABOUT BEREAVEMENT?
Bereavement is the experience we go through following the death of someone we have been close to. The death can come as a complete shock, even if expected, and it is usually distressing and often stressful. Contrary to popular belief, a major bereavement is not something we ‘get over’, it is something that we have to learn to live with. Each person is affected in a unique way and we all handle the experience differently. What may be consoling words for one person may be upsetting for another.
Of course, how we experience a death is conditioned by the relationship we had with the person who has died and the circumstances of their death. Counselling can really give us the opportunity to explore, understand and accept our feelings, which in time, will help allow us to accept the loss and move forward with our lives.
IS THERAPY REALLY NECESSARY THOUGH? SURELY IT IS NOT IF WE HAVE LOVING FAMILIES AND/OR GOOD FRIENDS?
That may well be true, but I would like to add that it is quite normal to gain support with therapy – it’s non-judgmental, safe and confidential. Life can be very complex for us and sometimes our friends and families are not equipped to understand us as fully as we would like. What you want to express, explore or reflect upon may affect them too on an emotional level. This can cause repercussions and possibly arguments, with you feeling not truly heard.
WHERE IS YOUR PRACTICE?
My counselling practice is based in Rickmansworth within easy reach of Rickmansworth station, and the M25. It is on the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border ( Northwood, Watford, Little Chalfont, Amersham, Chorleywood, Denham, Uxbridge are all close by ) and it is a fifteen minute walk from the metropolitan line station.
I offer Counselling for individuals and couples and I also offer Supervision on an individual basis and to groups.
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
— Hope Quotes, by Albert Einstein
