Do I need to see a counsellor?
Sometimes life runs smoothly and when it doesn’t it may be difficult to sort out difficulties with family or friends, and we can’t sort them out alone.
Counselling can help at times like these.
How does counselling help?
Counselling offers you a different relationship from any other. It is designed to help you sort through your problems and, through this relationship, to find solutions for yourself.
How do I know if counselling will be right for me?
I offer a free initial session for you to meet me and talk about counselling, and to establish whether counselling is the right form of support for you
and / or whether we can work together and to see if you feel comfortable with the counselling process. The 30 minute session is free of charge.
This will give you an opportunity to decide whether you want to try counselling or not. You can stop the counselling at any time if you decide later that it is not helpful to you.
How do I know if you will be the right counsellor for me?
During the initial free session we will have an opportunity to meet and you will have a chance to decide whether you want to work with me or not.
Is it a sign of weakness to see a counsellor?
Seeing a counsellor is a courageous thing to do, it is not a sign of weakness. There are times when talking to those who you know is just too
difficult and you may find it easier to sort things out by talking with an independent person, someone who is trained in ways to help facilitate your
discovery of answers to your problems.
How can I talk to you, my problem is so awful?
I do not judge people by their actions or their circumstances. I support the human-ness of individuals.
I know it can take time for trust to build, and I understand that you may not want to tell me everything that brings you to counselling until you feel this trust.
Who else will know? Is counselling confidential?
Confidentiality is an extremely important part of the counselling arrangement, and I take it very seriously. However, there are a few aspects of
confidentiality that need to be explained.
As a counsellor abiding by the BACP framework of good practice, I am required to attend regular supervision sessions to ensure professional
standards are met. Your identity is not revealed to the supervisor and I discuss how I am working so that I can draw on another professional’s experience to
benefit my work with individual clients.
There are exceptions in keeping confidentiality and they are listed below. In the event of any of these things being disclosed, I would discuss your
options and would endeavour to enable you to take the steps of any action required. I would only break confidentiality myself in an extreme case.
The exceptions to keeping confidentiality are
What happens in the first session?
During the first session, we may talk about counselling in general and what it might be able to do for you.
We will discuss the practicalities of our counselling relationship should we decide to embark upon it.
You may wish to tell me what has brought you to me, and have a counselling session, or you may prefer to wait. You may not want to decide
straight away whether or not you want to continue with me and I would respect this and provide you with contact details should you want to come back to see me.
This meeting is free and therefore there is no financial or personal commitment at this stage.
If I think counselling is not the right form of support I would discuss this with you and offer to refer you to someone more suitable for your needs.
How long do I need to see a counsellor and how often?
I offer open-ended counselling. It is always difficult to know how many sessions an individual will need to deal with issues and I frequently
discuss progress and we would decide jointly when the counselling will end so that we have time to bring things to a close.
Most of my clients see me once a week for 50 minutes. Counselling may last only one session, some months or less frequently years.
How does counselling come to an end?
When you are ready to end the counselling relationship I trust you to discuss it with me, although it may have already be part of
ongoing monitoring. We would decide jointly when the counselling will end so that we have time to bring things to a close, and that
may be immediately or within a few weeks or months. It is often useful to have a review of the sessions for you to go away with a clear insight into what you have achieved.
Is my problem important enough for counselling? Or am I wasting your time?
Contemplating and making contact can be a courageous step to take. If something is causing you difficultly or upset, then it is important enough to talk about
and it is not a waste of my time.
Why do I feel nervous?
You may feel nervous and unsure about what to expect, and this is perfectly natural. It takes courage for many people to talk about their problems.
Sometimes the problems are wrapped up in shame, fear, anger or embarrassment. For some, just meeting a new person is difficult, and for
others doing something new is very daunting. These are some reasons why you might be feeling nervous, and there may be a different reason. Your feelings
about this could be discussed in the first session.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
This question poses an ongoing debate between counsellors and psychotherapists. My training was defined as counselling and I therefore
call myself a counsellor. I have worked with many different issues, and I have worked very deeply with some of my clients. I do not think that the work
I do is limited to certain issues, such as relationships, because I am a counsellor, nor do I think that my work is necessarily less deep than psychotherapy.
I understand that psychotherapists do have a higher degree than I have, and they have worked, at least for a short time, in mental health services, which I have not.
I do not think there is any difference between the ways that we work in the two professions.
Can I bring my children, partner or a friend?
A counselling relationship is between us, as client and counsellor. Having others in the room, even very young children,
can prevent the relationship from becoming properly established. You may want a friend or relative to bring you to your sessions and collect.
However, I do not have a waiting room for them to wait in, although they could wait in the car or visit the local village and coffee shops a short distance away.
Please ask me about this when you call me. If you are looking for couple or family counselling, I can refer you to reputable agency.
How much does counselling cost?
My fee is £40 for individuals, and £50 for couples for a 50-minute session. Some concessions are available in certain circumstances.
What happens if I can’t attend an appointment I have booked?
I appreciate a call to let me know if you are unable to attend a session we have arranged. I do charge for pre-booked appointments that are
cancelled with less than 24 hours notice unless there are exceptional circumstances.
If I do not hear from you I will phone you to find out if you want to make another appointment unless you have asked me not to do so.
What happens if I am late for my appointment?
Late arrivals need to conclude at the scheduled time so that the next client is not inconvenienced.
Do you have a car park?
Free parking is available on the road or on the drive.
Do you have facilities for disabled people?
Crossroads Counselling is located on the ground floor and is fully accessible by wheelchair.
What is the BACP?
BACP is the largest and broadest body within the ‘talking therapies’ sector.
Through its work BACP ensures that it meets its remit of public protection whilst also developing and informing its members.
For more information please visit www.bacp.co.uk