Frequently Asked Questions
What is counselling and how can it help me?
Counselling provides you with a safe and confidential environment in which you can talk about and explore whatever is troubling you. Your counsellor is trained to actively listen to what you have to say and help you to find a new perspective about what you have come to counselling for. It’s a chance for you to step back and take time out in order to make space for you. In counselling you are valued, respected and listened to. Your counsellor will not try to fix things for you but will help you to find your own solutions – solutions that are uniquely yours.
Do Counsellors have special training?
You should expect your counsellor to have been trained to a high standard. There are many training providers and many types of training. Counsellors may adhere to a particular way of providing therapy or they may draw from a number of therapeutic ‘models’. Whatever their method, they will have trained for a number of years and undertaken hundreds of hours of supervised, clinical practice. They should also be affiliated to at least one governing body like the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) to name but two. At the very basic level, counsellors will be trained to really listen and build a trusting relationship with their clients. They will be empathetic and respectful of you as a human being. Moreover, they will be able to apply their training and experience in the consultation room, or online, to help you move towards the right solutions for yourself. For information on my own affiliations to governing bodies see About Governing Bodies
What is a counselling session like?
You will likely speak with me on the phone or online in the first instance to ensure that therapy appears to be right for you, and you and we are a good fit to work together. I believe it’s important to do this via Zoom where possible, as seeing me in the online environment will be important for you to assess whether it’s right for you. This initial contact will be for up to 30 minutes free of charge. I work exclusively online. If you move into paid therapy sessions, the first session is often referred to as an initial consultation, which will take up to 50 minutes, typically, where we will get to know each other and I will let you know what to expect from our counselling relationship. There will be some standard ‘paperwork’ to complete. You will understand how I will maintain confidentiality and you will be able to tell me what’s on your mind and what you want from counselling. You are under no obligation to move forward into further counselling sessions at this stage. However, if we agree that further sessions are appropriate we will agree to continue on into further sessions. We will usually meet weekly (or agree an appropriate meeting frequency) for 50 minutes online via Zoom or similar platform, and review your requirements periodically. Our sessions will be one-to-one in the privacy of the online room, where you will be able to talk about what’s on your mind. If I believe that I cannot provide what you need or that counselling with me is not appropriate at this time I will tell you and refer you to where you can find what you require. There is nothing mysterious about the counselling relationship: when you come to Well Life Counselling for help our meetings will simply be a conversation between two people with the aim of helping you find your own answers and move on in your life.
Do I need to be referred to you by my G.P.?
No, you can refer yourself for counselling although if your G.P. refers you that’s fine too.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
Every client is different so the number of sessions will depend upon your specific need. We will discuss this more fully in your initial consultation.
How long does a counselling session last?
A counselling session lasts for 50 minutes. This is pretty standard in the profession of counselling and psychotherapy.
How much does counselling cost?
All pricing for counselling sessions and other services can be found in the PRICING page of this web site.
Is counselling confidential?
Client confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of the therapeutic relationship and I take my responsibilities very seriously in this regard. We will discuss how confidentiality will be managed and maintained when we first meet for the initial consultation. For further details please see my PRIVACY POLICY on this web site.
What steps do you take to protect my data?
I comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 2018. All information you provide to me will be protected and treated in line with the terms and conditions set out on this web site. For further details please see my PRIVACY POLICY on this web site.
How do I contact you?
Please refer to the CONTACT page on this web site. In general, I can be contacted by telephone, email and via the contact page on this web site. You can use the contact form to request information or ask a question and I will be happy to call you or email you in response.
What is your cancellation policy?
During the initial consultation we will discuss how we will work together. There will be times when one of us will need to cancel an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances and this is sometimes unavoidable. We will agree to provide as much notice as possible should this eventuality arise. Our commitment to each other is very important and we should honour our commitment by keeping cancellations to a minimum. Please refer to my CANCELLATION POLICY on this web site for full details.
Can I book an appointment for someone else?
No. Each client must ‘self-refer’. If you contact me about another person I will always encourage them to make a self-referral and make their own appointments for counselling. This is in order to protect client confidentiality. Note also that I will not provide information about any of my clients at any time.
How quickly will I receive counselling?
Whether you contact me via this web site, email or telephone I will always strive to get back to you within 48 hours although this may not be possible should unforeseen circumstances arise. An initial telephone or online conversation will normally be possible within a week. The initial consultation (50 minute session) will be carried out as soon as possible in line with schedule and workload.
Can I bring someone with me to my counselling sessions?
One-to-one counselling sessions are for clients alone. If a client wishes to bring a friend or member of their family along to an appointment that person will not be able to take part in the consultation. They are welcome to wait outside the consultation room until the session is over. This is mainly to protect the client’s confidentiality.
Do you provide counselling in languages other than English?
No, I’m afraid not.
Where will counselling sessions take place?
Counselling sessions will take place exclusively online via Zoom or other platform.
How often will I need to come for counselling?
Counselling sessions are usually weekly but this will depend upon your specific needs and the reason you have come for counselling. So the frequency can vary and often, towards the end of therapy, the frequency of sessions reduces if it is appropriate.
Why do I have to pay for counselling?
Strictly speaking you don’t if you are prepared to wait for many weeks or months for an NHS appointment via your G.P. and even then the available sessions are likely to be restricted. Pressures in the NHS are well documented in the media and, although improvements are always promised there is still a long way to go. Voluntary agencies can also help but even then there are often long waiting times. Private practice is likely to be more accessible and available when you need it most and, although there is a cost involved, it’s an investment that has the potential to change your life for the better. It’s an investment in your future.
What if I have a complaint?
I take quality of service to you very seriously and I’ve never had a complaint. However, in the unlikely event that you are not happy I will take any issue seriously and find the right solution. That is why I have a COMPLAINTS POLICY which you can read on this site.