Frequently Asked Questions

How long will counselling take?

This depends entirely on the individual.  Once the counselling process begins there is no pressure on you to continue indefinitely.  Some clients may attend for just one session and get what they need, others for 6-12 weeks and some people choose much longer.  Regular reviews to discuss and check that you are getting what you need are useful.  Counselling can be stopped at any time, but it can be helpful to have some notice so that we can review and evaluate our time together and bring our work to an end.

 

How often will our sessions be and how long are they?

We would agree to meet at the same time each week. A session lasts 50 minutes.

  

Do you offer online appointments?

I am available for clients online / video e.g. GoogleMeet,

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What happens if I can't make an agreed appointment?

I require 24 hours notice of cancellation if you cannot make your appointment.  I do charge if there is less than 24 hours notice as I cannot offer the time to anyone else.  The whole 50 minutes belongs to you and I will be present for all of that time.  If you arrive part way through your session, I will be able to see you for the remainder of the time. 

 

If your circumstances change and the session time is no longer suitable, I will aim to offer you an alternative time. 

 

There is no charge for agreed absences such as holiday. 

 

I will be available for you with the exception of holidays and occasional times when I may attend further training or a conference.  I will give you as much notice as possible if I am unable to make a session.  In the event where I need to cancel your session because of illness, I will notify you as soon as I can, and will try to offer you an alternative time.  There will be no charge should I cancel our appointment.

 

When are you available for appointments?

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Wednesday 09:00 - 20:00

Thursday     09:00 - 20:00

Friday          09:00 - 19:30

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What are your fees?

£65:00 per 50 minute session.

 

I offer a small number of reduced fee appointments to those on a limited income.  Please ask.

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 How can I pay?

Cash, or BACs per session.

 

Is your service really confidential?

Yes.  Everything we discuss is completely confidential and will not be passed to another person without your knowledge, with the exception of planned serious harm to self or others, or breaches of Child Protection Procedures.  I would always discuss this with you and make every effort to obtain your permission.  This extends to after our time together has finished too.  I undertake regular supervision and confidentiality extends to all supervision sessions with a qualified supervisor.  I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and operate within their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2018).

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What does accreditation mean?

BACP accreditation is a widely-valued quality status for practitioners, organisations and training courses, designed to recognise the achievement of high standards of knowledge, experience and development.

 

Do you make notes and what do you do with them?

Brief notes are made after each session in order to recall information and support our work together.  Notes are kept securely, according to the Data Protection Act (2018).  Notes are not kept on a computer.

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Right to Privacy

I aim to fully comply with the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation, which became effective on the 1st January 2021. 

 

If you have a question that is not answered here, call or email me and I will try to answer it for you.  If I cannot, I will recommend a person or an organisation, that can.