No, you are able to self-refer.

For some, the idea of visiting a Counsellor for the first time can feel quite daunting. It can sometimes help to write down words that describe how you are feeling. Perhaps
write down what it feels like being you at this time. Be open and honest. There are no wrong answers in therapy work. I am not here to judge you in any way. I am interested in you as a person and want to support you. I want to understand and explore your issues with you.

For telephone and online therapy sessions, it is important to ensure that you have a safe, private, comfortable space where you can relax without the fear of being interrupted or overheard.

That very much depends on your unique circumstances. I can offer short-term of six sessions with a review at this point. Or longer-term therapy may be needed which can
go on for several months or more. This may be necessary to work through for example, a difficult family history. We will discuss this in your first session i.e. Assessment.

Your first session will be in the form of an initial Assessment. This allows you to identify
your issues and to discuss with me what you hope to gain from our time together. It allows me to begin to piece together what your needs might be. For therapy to be effective, it is important that we both feel comfortable. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust and reliability. If I feel that the counselling service I offer would not meet your needs then I am duty bound to inform you and perhaps refer you elsewhere.

This Assessment will give us the opportunity to decide if it will be helpful for us to work
together.

You are free to discuss with me whatever you wish from thoughts and feelings, everyday situations ( work related , family related issues, relationship issues), memories from the past, aspirations for the future.

Yes, counselling sessions are confidential. The exception would be if you were deemed at risk of harm either to yourself or others in which case I would need to inform the relevant parties.

If you feel, for whatever reason, that I am not a good match for you, then I would ask you to be honest with me and we can talk about it. The first session, our initial
Assessment will be an opportunity for us to decide if we can work together or not. However, it may be further into our sessions that you could perhaps feel that you are not progressing in the way that you had hoped. I would ask you to bring that in to our next session to discuss with me. Our therapeutic relationship is based on openness, honesty and trust. There could be many reasons for your feeling the way you might feel. You are in charge and can end therapy at any stage if you feel you are not achieving what you want.

Everyone experiences therapy in their own unique way. Results will depend on you what you want to achieve from the experience and the commitment you make to the counselling process. The therapeutic relationship with me also plays a major part. Results are generally a better understanding of self and others, having the confidence to say No instead of feeling obliged to do things e.g. favours for friends, family and in the workplace, having a clearer picture of who you are and how to achieve your goals in life, finding new ways to face situations that have been difficult to manage, having a better work/life balance and the ability to manage stress and anxiety.

Addiction and Substance Misuse
Affairs and betrayals
Anxiety
Bereavement/Grief/Loss
Bullying
Depression
Disabilities
Emotional abuse
Low self-confidence
Low self-esteem
MiscarriageRelationship problems
Separation and Divorce
Stillbirth
Stress
Suicidal thoughts
Work-related stress

In the interests of your safety and/or wellbeing, I request GP details to cover the unlikely event of a medical emergency during a therapy session. Regarding psychological or emotional emergency, I will always discuss with you first to ask permission to contact your GP.

Unfortunately, I do not have the availability to offer multiple weekly sessions.

Weekly sessions help you make gradual, step by step progress. It also helps to maintain the bond of trust between us.