Frequently Asked Questions

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Counselling is a type of talking therapy that offers you a safe and confidential space, without judgement, where you are helped to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. A space where you can better understand yourself and your world and work out what, if anything, you want to be different in order to live your life the way you would like to. As a counsellor, I will not give you advice or prescribe medication, but I will be beside you, and work with you to help you to find your own way forward. That might mean finding different ways to better cope with a problem or situation, or finding solutions that allow you to take steps towards making a positive change.

What happens in a session will depend on you; what is important to you and what you feel you most need help with. What we talk about could include your childhood, relationships, your life chapters and any past or present life events. We may explore your values and life goals and what might be holding you back from achieving them. We may unpack your thoughts and feelings and try some exercises such as breathing or grounding techniques which you can practice outside of the session. The session will be led by you and we will go at your pace, with regular reviews to see how we are doing together.

Whether you are new to counselling or have had some past experience, finding the right counsellor/therapist is so important but it can be daunting with so many of us to choose from. These are my top 3 tips: 1. Check they are qualified Make sure your counsellor has a professional qualification. Opting for a practitioner who is a BACP registered member for example gives you the assurance that they meet specific standards of proficiency and ethical practice intended to put you first and keep you safe. 2. Make sure that they offer the type of therapy you might like Consider the type of therapy that you feel is right for you, or perhaps more importantly discount the ones that you feel would not be right. It is perfectly okay if you don't know the type of therapy you want at this stage. Before committing to any counsellor ask them about how they like to work and decide for yourself whether this feels like a good fit. Also, think about whether you prefer face-to-face, online or telephone, as this will help you to narrow down your search. ​ 3. Find out if you like them and the way they work It is so important that you choose a counsellor that you feel comfortable with, someone that you feel able to trust and connect with. Check out their websites, read their profiles and look at the type of issues they have some experience working with, and take up any offer of free initial consultations where you can ask questions before you make a decision. If you feel like the relationship is not working for you, let your counsellor know and tell them what you would like to be different. It is your space to be used your way. If they still do not meet your needs do not be afraid to look for someone else.