Making the decision to attend counselling is a positive step and can offer support beyond

that available from friends and family as it offers an environment which is non-judgemental

and confidential. You are able to express your feelings and gain a deep insight into any

difficulties you may be facing.

What Is Counselling?

Counselling is described as a talking therapy and provides a service for people looking for

support for a wide range of emotional concerns. Counselling helps clients to develop

understanding and an insight into their behaviours and feelings to overcome difficulties.

In some case, the simple act of talking through difficulties with a trained counsellor can

help or sometimes a more tailored therapeutic approach is required. Counselling can help

you develop better ways of coping, allowing you to move forward and get the most of life.

Counselling aims to help you to find better ways to understand yourself or to bring about

changes in the way you think or behave to improve your mental and emotional well-being.

Does a counsellor give advice?

A counsellor is not there to give you advice, tell you what to do or judge you in any way. The

aim of counselling is to help you come to your own decisions as only you really know how

you feel in any given situation. The counsellor might sum up what they understand you have

been saying so that they can help you to form a plan of action.

What can I expect in a session?

Once you have made contact, an initial assessment appointment will be arranged. This is for

you to provide your personal and medical details and reasons for seeking counselling.

During assessment, the counsellor will ask questions about you and your life to help make

an initial assessment of your circumstances. Identifying what you hope to gain from

counselling helps to give something to work towards in sessions.

Your counsellor will ask you questions that will help them to understand your surface

problem(s) before they can explore any deeper issues.

Some questions asked may include:

– Why you sought therapy

– Your personal history and current situation

– Your family history

At the first session a working agreement (contract) will be agreed which covers a number of

details including confidentiality and session timings.

How long do sessions last for?

Sessions last for 50 minutes, either in a quiet, private room or over the phone or Zoom.

Sessions normally happen at the same day and time on a weekly basis by agreement. This

requires a commitment from you to attend weekly counselling sessions over a period of

time and should be kept in mind when considering counselling.

How many sessions will I need?

Counselling can be a long or short-term therapy and you will discuss with your counsellor

which fit is better for you. You are able to attend sessions for as long as you require, or you

can set a number of sessions together with specific goals in mind.

Are counselling sessions confidential between the counsellor and client?

All sessions are conducted in the strictest confidence with the important exceptions of:

1. Where a client gives consent for the confidence to be broken

2. Where a Court of Law compels the counsellor

3. Where there is a serious risk of harm to self or others, where there are risks to

children as defined under the Child Protection Act or where there is a serious and

imminent risk to public health, national security or prevention or detection of

serious crime then the counsellor may need to discuss this with their Supervisor

and/or external authorities such as the Police.

Wherever possible the counsellor would endeavour to inform you first.

What is clinical supervision?

In accordance with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical

Framework, counsellors undertake supervision on a regular basis to ensure good practice.

This is always on an anonymous basis to preserve confidentiality.

Are notes taken and how are they stored?

After each session, brief factual notes are taken and kept locked securely for a period of up

to 3 years after the end of the counselling relationship. Notes are kept anonymous for

confidentiality.

Do I have to talk about things I don’t want to?

Not at all, what you bring to our counselling sessions is always up to you and the counsellor

will work with you on whatever you choose.