Frequently Asked Questions
Reaching out for counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you've never experienced therapy before. Perhaps you've been thinking about it for a while, but you're still not quite sure what to expect.
I believe counselling works best when there is openness, safety and mutual respect.
Do I need to have a specific problem, and how do I know if counselling is right for me?
No. You don't need a diagnosis or one specific difficuty or hallenge to come to counselling. You might be experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties or simply feel stuck or disconnected from yourself.
Sometimes you just know that things don't feel right or that you'd like something to change.
You don't have to wait until things become overwhelming to ask for support. Counselling offers you a safe space to pause, make sense of what you're experiencing and explore what you need, at your own pace.
How do I know if you're the right counsellor for me?
Finding the right counsellor is important. It's not just about qualifications or experience; it's also about how you feel when you're talking to someone.
You need to feel that you can be yourself, that you won't be judged, and that there is enough trust and safety to talk about the things that really matter to you.
I believe the relationship between counsellor and client is at the heart of the work. My approach is warm, compassionate and authentic, and I will meet you where you are rather than expecting you to fit into a particular way of working.
That's one of the reasons I offer a free 30-minute connection call before you decide whether you'd like to begin counselling
If I don't feel that I'm the right person to support you, I'll be honest about this and, where possible, help you think about what other support might be more appropriate.
The same applies to you. You are never under any obligation to continue counselling if it doesn't feel right for you.
What happens during the free connection call?
The connection call is an opportunity for us to have an initial conversation before you commit to anything.
You can tell me a little about what's bringing you to counselling, what you're hoping for and what you'd like support with. You can also ask me any questions about how I work.
Most importantly, it gives us a chance to get a sense of whether we feel comfortable talking to each other and whether I might be the right counsellor for you.
There's no pressure or obligation to book a session afterwards.
If I feel that another type of support or another counsellor would be more appropriate for what you need, I'll be honest with you about that too
What happens in the counselling sessions?
In our initial session, we'll go through our Counselling Contract together, helping you understand what to expect, feel safe within the counselling space and be clear about the boundaries and limitations of our work.
Over the first few sessions, we'll take time to explore what you're finding challenging and begin to get to know each other.
There isn't a set script, and you don't need to know exactly what you want to talk about. We'll start with where you are and what feels important to you.
Depending on what you bring, we may explore what's happening in your life now, relationships, past experiences, patterns, emotions or ways you've learned to cope.
My role isn't to tell you what to do, but to listen, help you make sense of things and support you to understand yourself more deeply.
What if I don't know what to talk about?
That's absolutely okay.
You don't need to have the right words, and you don't need to prepare anything before you come.
You might simply say, “I don't really know where to start.”
We can start there.
Sometimes the things that are hardest to explain are the things that are most important to explore.
Will I have to talk about things from my past?
Not unless it feels helpful and you're ready to. Our past experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, our relationships and the world around us. They can influence our beliefs, behaviours, patterns and ways of coping, often without us fully realising it.
Exploring where some of these patterns come from can help us understand why we think, feel or respond in certain ways today. But counselling isn't about digging up the past for the sake of it or pushing you to talk about something before you're ready.
We'll work at your pace, exploring what feels relevant and manageable for you.
How long will I need counselling for?
There’s no set answer because everyone’s counselling journey is different.
For some people, a small number of sessions can provide the space they need to work through something happening in their life now. For others, counselling offers an opportunity to explore things more deeply over a longer period of time.
We’ll regularly review how things are going and what feels right for you. I don’t believe counselling should be about rushing you through a process or continuing when you no longer feel you need it.
If you know you’d like to commit to a little more time for yourself, I also offer 4- and 6-session bundles, with 10% off the standard session price.
If you don't find the answer you're looking for here,
please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.