THINKING ABOUT STARTING COUNSELLING?

A FEW PRACTICAL DETAILS & ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

It can be overwhelming to reach out for therapy and it can bring up all sorts of questions.
This page is here to offer clear, gentle information so you can decide, in your own time, whether working together feels right for you.

How Often Will We Meet?

For many people, counselling works best through regular meetings, as this helps to build trust within the relationship and allows us to stay connected to the areas of your life that we are working on together. During difficult periods, it can also feel supportive to know that you have a session coming up soon where you can check in and receive support.

For some people though weekly sessions are not possible due to working shifts or for financial reasons. Other people like to have time between sessions to “process” what we worked on and in that case we could meet fortnightly or monthly.

Sometimes people start attending weekly and as they begin to feel better they increase the time between sessions to fortnightly and I can be flexible with this.

How Many Sessions Will I need?

This is different for everyone because each person’s experiences, needs, and hopes for therapy are unique.

As a very general guide, some people find that around 6–10 sessions feels helpful, while others choose to work together for a shorter or longer period of time. There is no fixed commitment, and you are always free to end counselling whenever you feel is right for you.

Throughout our work together, we will regularly review how things are feeling for you, including any goals or hopes you may have brought to therapy and prepare for any upcoming endings between us.

I have clients who return to counselling for support around particular periods or difficulties in their life, take a break, and return at a later stage if they would like support with something else.

What If I Don’t Know What to Say?

It’s completely okay to arrive feeling unsure of where to start. Many people come to counselling worried that they won’t know what to talk about, or that they need to have everything clear before starting therapy. You do not need to prepare anything or have the “right” words.

As both a person-centred counsellor and a creative therapist, I am trained to support people gently when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to put their experiences into words.

There is no pressure to share everything straight away. Counselling is a collaborative process, and we will work together to find an approach that feels comfortable, supportive, and manageable for you.

Can You Help With What I’m Struggling With?

I have worked with many different people from many different areas of life with a variety of difficulties and issues, but no counsellor can be a specialist in every area. Part of my ethical practice is recognising where my support is appropriate and where additional or alternative help may be needed.

Occasionally, someone may bring something that falls outside of my areas of experience or expertise. This does not mean that there is something “wrong” with you or that you cannot be helped but that another type of support may be more suitable for you.

Sometimes counselling works best alongside other forms of support. For example, some people may also speak with their GP about medication, while others may benefit from practical specialist support around areas such as legal, financial, or housing concerns.

If at any point I felt unable to support you in the way you needed, or felt that additional support may be helpful for you, I would always discuss this openly and sensitively with you so that we could consider the best way forward together.

I also offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to talk things through, explore what support you are looking for, and see whether working together feels like the right fit. If I do not feel I am the best person to help, I will do my best to assist you towards finding more appropriate support where possible

What Training and Qualifications Do You Have?

Choosing a counsellor is an important decision, so it is completely understandable to want to know about a therapist’s training, experience, and professional standards.

I hold a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and I am a trained APCCA Creative Arts Therapist and an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), meaning I work within their ethical framework and professional standards.

I continue to undertake ongoing professional development alongside regular clinical supervision to support safe, ethical, and effective practice.

Session Details & Fees

Each counselling session lasts for 50 minutes, often referred to as a therapeutic hour.

Session fees

50 minute online counselling session - £60
50 minute Telephone Counselling Session - £60
50 minute Outdoor Therapy Session - £60
50 minute Creative Counselling Session - £60
Level 4 Counselling Students & Low Income Rate £35

Payments can be made via bank transfer or by debit/credit card, including Visa and Mastercard.

If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice where possible. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be charged in full and the session forfeited.

If you have any questions about sessions, fees, or ways of working we can discuss this during your free introductory chat.

Book Your Free Introductory Chat