Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions do I need?
This is the main question I get asked, and unfortunately I cant answer it! The process of therapy is so individualistic that we cannot say "yes 8 sessions and you're done". Some people find 6 sessions is enough and others 30+. This is why I work the way I do, so you can access as many sessions as you feel you need. We also review our therapy goals every 6 sessions to ensure we are focusing on addressing the particular focus of our therapy.
How often can I have sessions?
The way I work is led by you. The frequency of sessions is whatever suits your process/schedule/finances. Usually sessions are once a week, then nearer the end of therapy, previous clients have decided to move to less frequent sessions, e.g. fortnightly/monthly. However some clients find having a session once a fortnight is appropriate to them. If we begin to work together the frequency isn't set in stone so if you want to check out how fortnightly feels first for example you can!
I feel as though I need to address lots of stuff, how will this work?
We can address this in our initial meeting. Many people find they come to counselling for a singular reason, yet through the process other areas feel like they need to be addressed. This is a natural progression of the therapeutic process. I usually believe that its good to address the issue that's causing the most distress in your life first, however the choice is up to you. For example when working with traumatic events, it maybe beneficial to address less disturbing issues first, as to gently develop the trust needed in our therapeutic relationship to begin with trauma work.
Is there a limit to how many sessions I can have?
There's absolutely no limit to how many sessions you can have. You may only want to book in for 3 sessions and feel that's enough, or you may want longer term support. This is one of the benefits of paying for private therapy sessions whereas when accessing therapy from a charity/NHS there are limits to sessions e.g. 8 sessions.
Do you offer longer/shorter sessions than an hour?
My sessions are 60 minutes long, however I can offer longer or shorter sessions to suit your needs. My approach is always led by your needs and what works for you!
What if I come to counselling and I find it's not right for me?
Counselling isn't right for everyone or even during certain periods of your life. This is one of the reasons I offer a free initial session. We can meet and discuss how it works and you will get a feel if I'm the right counsellor for you (as I might not be!). If you feel as though it's not something you are looking for or I'm not a good fit, I maybe can direct you towards something/someone more appropriate for your needs. There's absolutely NO pressure to book, so the worst scenario would be losing 30 minutes of your time to check it out.
I'm on a waiting list for counselling on the NHS, can I come to sessions until I can access free support?
Yes! I believe that if you feel you need support in the interim, nothing should stop you from accessing private counselling sessions. With the waiting lists being so long, you can access as many sessions that you feel you should need until you get the call. To discuss this further please email me via the book an appointment button or book in for your free initial session to find out what I can offer.