What does the counselling process look like?

1. Enquiry

You can call, text or email me to ask any questions regarding the counselling process. It is useful to briefly introduce the reason for coming to counselling and what you would like to gain from it. Then, if availability allows, we will schedule the first appointment.

2. The information-gathering session (often called assessment)

This session provides a safe and confidential space for you to begin discussing the issues troubling you. I will ask you questions about your current difficulties, their impact on your life and aspects of your personal history. Some of these questions will be related to relationships with family, friends and school. I will also ask questions about the history and presence of self-harm and suicidal thoughts, as I need to be aware of any risk factors to your safety. You will also be given a copy of a counselling agreement. The agreement provides information about policies, including confidentiality and limits of confidentiality, data protection, financial matters and the cancellation policy. The agreement sets the foundation for our shared commitment to counselling, and all aspects of the agreement will be discussed with you.

If the counselling is for a young person under the age of 18, the initial session will also involve their parent(s) or those with parental authority.

3. Following sessions

Following the initial session, we will meet face-to-face or online on the set day and time. Some clients told me that they feel a bit awkward or cringe to start with talking about their feelings. That is completely normal. We don't learn that at school. A lot of us haven't seen other people do it either. It may take a few sessions to develop trust and feel comfortable. Keep an open mind, and if you stick with the feeling and weekly appointments, you will notice that the awkwardness is replaced by relief.

If you don't want to talk or you don't know what to talk about, that's not a problem. You will have at your disposal various creative materials, sensory toys and other tools that we can use to explore what is going on for you.

4. Ending counselling

In counselling, we work towards achieving agreed goals; therefore, we will review our work every six sessions. It will become apparent to both of us when you have achieved your chosen goals. Sometimes goals change during counselling. That's absolutely fine and I will always support you in the process. Sometimes you may find counselling difficult and wish to end before reaching your goal. I encourage you to discuss these difficulties rather than abruptly ending, as it may deprive us of resolving important issues. However, whenever you feel ready to finish your work in counselling, I will celebrate this milestone with you. If after some time you feel you would like to return to counselling for regular or monthly check-in sessions, that is also possible.