Frequent Questions
Is counselling confidential?
All sessions are completely confidential, unless I am concerned that you are, or someone else is, at risk of serious harm, in which case I would talk to you about contacting someone such as your GP. I will explain more about this during the initial session.
All counsellors see a supervisor in order to monitor the effectiveness and safety of their work. I do discuss my work with my supervisor, but I use first names only and my supervisor follows the same framework of confidentiality.
Do sessions have to be weekly at the same time?
Face to face sessions are usually held at the same time, and on the same day, each week. There can sometimes be more flexibility with online or telephone sessions.
I generally would recommend weekly sessions, but some people find that fortnightly works better for them. This is something that we could discuss during an initial session.
Where are sessions held?
Face to face sessions are held at Hambly’s Natural Health Centre, in Wadhurst, East Sussex. There is on-street parking.
Remote sessions are held online via Zoom. See below for more information about how this works.
How much does counselling cost?
Sessions last for 50 minutes and cost £60. Payment is due on the day, prior to the session by BACS transfer. The fee for couples sessions is £75.
Cancellations within 48 hours are charged in full.
I offer a limited number of reduced fee sessions for students, trainee therapists or people on very low incomes. Please ask for more information about this.
How many sessions will I need?
This is really variable as it depends on your reasons for seeking support and what is going on for you. Some clients find 5 or 6 sessions is enough to address their difficulties, others may wish to continue for a lot longer. There is never any pressure to continue. You are free to finish our work together at any point. I do encourage clients to have a final session, so that we can review our work together.
There is also no limit on how many sessions you can have, provided I am comfortable that I am the right person to be working with you.
How Does Online Counselling Work?
Online sessions offer a flexibility and ease of access that fits in well with the current challenges. Clients can initially feel a little unsure about the idea of online sessions, but most clients find this a really viable, flexible and accessible way of having counselling.
Online counselling follows the same fundamental principles as face to face counselling. It provides a secure alternative to traditional face to face sessions using a webcam and audio link.
Sessions are held via Zoom. This is a secure platform used by many online therapists and recommended by the BACP. You can find out more about Zoom at zoom.us.
You may find the process of communicating from your own protected safe space very helpful in itself. Some clients say they actually find it easier to talk about some things when they are not the in the same room as their therapist.
I may be able to offer you more flexibility online, for example if you have to change location for any reason, you will still be able to continue with your sessions, as long as you have access to your device.
Occasionally technological problems can arise which affect the online link. We will discuss alternative means of contact and have an agreed course of action in case this happens.
It is important that you are able to be in a place where you will not be overheard or interrupted.
We will agree on the date and time of your online session in the usual way. I will then send you an email invitation to join the Zoom meeting. This will contain a link which you should click on.
The first time you open the link, Zoom will guide you through the process. It will ask your permission to upload the software to your computer and then take you to the meeting. This only takes a short time. You will be asked to ‘Open Zoom meetings’. You may also be prompted about using your computer audio and video. When you have done this, you will find yourself in the meeting room, where I will be waiting for you. This is a confidential and secure space.
I will send an invitation to a new meeting each time. You do not need to create a Zoom account.
You can join the session on a desktop, laptop or smartphone (through the Zoom app). To use Zoom on your computer, you will need to have a webcam and microphone. If you do not have these, you can use your mobile phone or a tablet.