Can Counselling help me?
Counselling gives an individual the opportunity to speak in a safe and confidential space with a professional who is objectively detached from the anxiety and concerns brought by the client.
Research has shown that speaking with a professional and developing a quality, therapeutic relationship can bring about shifts in one’s ways of thinking and experience of the world.
What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Seeking therapy can be confusing. Psychotherapy and counselling are often very similar in experience. However, in essence, counselling is often considered a shorter-term process and might concentrate on a particular problem affecting you at the time. Counselling typically takes place over weeks or months.
Psychotherapy, on the other hand, tends to be a longer-term process; often for several months or years. Along with addressing the problem or difficulty brought to therapy, the therapist is likely to also encourage you to explore your early years and will be particularly interested in how you learned to relate with family and friends, during your development. How we develop and our experiences as young children will have a huge impact on how we relate with our loved ones and the wider world as adults. That said, the therapist will be interested in the relationship between you and them - how the two of you relate with one another - as this is often seen as a microcosm of your wider world.
It is important to understand that neither is better or more effective than the other. Research has shown that what is most important is not the type or model of therapy, but the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist.
Will our sessions be confidential?
Yes. However, it is important to be aware that all professional therapists are required to have their work supported by a supervisor. The supervisor does not need to know the clients name, however, and therefore it remains confidential.
The only time I may break confidentiality is if I believe you are at risk of harming yourself or another, or a crime or fraud was to be committed (such as acts of terrorism or money laundering). In such circumstances, I might, for example, contact your GP. However, I would endeavour to involve you and discuss this with you.
Will I be charged if I miss a session?
If an appointment is cancelled or rescheduled more than 48 hours in advance, no charge will be made. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at £20.