Q: What is Counselling?

 

A: Counselling takes place in a confidential setting where the client can explore their issue in a safe and confidential setting.  During counselling the client may experience difficult/unfamiliar emotions which a qualified, professional Counsellor can assist with to understand themselves better.  A qualified Counsellor is trained to be able to help the client explore these feelings whilst maintaining a non-judgemental approach.

 

Q: What kinds of Counselling are there?

 

A: There are many different types of counselling available such as:

Person-Centred Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Equine Therapy, Dance Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Family/Systemic Therapy and Interpersonal therapy.  This list is not exhaustive and there are currently over 300 types of therapy available!  It is worth noting that not all types of therapy are suitable for all types of issues and I would suggest that you do your research when deciding on the type of therapy to choose.  This could involve discussion with your GP or other health practitioner, forums, websites and friends/family who may have had a beneficial experience of therapy.  I would suggest using websites/material which comes from reputable sources in determining accurate/useful information.

​

Q: What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

​

A: This is often a grey area and the terms are often used interchangeably.  Counselling is sometimes described as short-term and Psychotherapy is often used to describe longer-term therapy although this is not always the case.  The Counselling/Psychotherapy profession remains at present, unregulated which means that anybody can work as and call themselves a Counsellor/Psychotherapist with no qualifications or training.  Whether a person refers to themselves as either a Counsellor or Psychotherapist, I would always recommend checking their qualifications, training and professional memberships.  

 

Q: What kinds of problems do people seek counselling for?

 

A: People seek counselling for a wide variety of reasons.  Issues I am experienced in dealing with are:

 

• Complex PTSD and Trauma related issues

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Relationship Difficulties

• Infidelity/Affairs

• Life Changes/Transitions

• Difficulties with Self-Esteem

• Bereavement/Loss

• Professional/Career Issues

• College/Graduate School Issues

• Medical and Health Concerns

• Sexual Abuse 

• Stress Management

• Emotional Abuse

• Spirituality

• Gender Issues

• LGBTQ Related Issues

• Overwhelming/Unfamiliar feelings

 

Q: How long do I need to come to Counselling for?

 

A: The duration of the counselling is decided upon by the client, however, at the beginning of the counselling relationship we will usually agree upon seeing each other for a mutually agreed amount of sessions which can be reviewed and/or changed at any time.  I suggest weekly sessions for the first 5 or 6 weeks in order to establish the therapeutic relationship.  Counselling can either be short-term (e.g. 6 sessions) or open-ended (however long you feel you need to come for, in some cases years) and is usually discussed during the first session and reviewed throughout the process when necessary.

 

Q: How much will it cost?

 

A: Counselling costs vary widely depending on the practitioners experience/qualifications and training.  I charge £70 for individuals and £80 for couples for a 1 hour session. I can offer concessions for students and people on a low income upon agreed negotiation. 

​