Is counselling right for me?
FAQs
Thinking about coming to counselling can feel daunting and you may have lots of questions about how things work and what to expect. Please take a few minutes to read through this section.
Is counselling right for me?
This is a question that many people find themselves asking. If you are looking at this web page, then I would guess that you have found yourself wondering if counselling is right for you or if your situation is right for counselling. There is no right or wrong way to feel and there are no right or wrong reasons to enter into counselling.
Sometimes the reasons people seek counselling may seem obvious such as bereavement or divorce or, you may have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. However, there are times when reasons are less obvious, and people have feelings of being unhappy and dissatisfied with life, you may feel angry and resentful towards loved ones or you may not be able to switch off your thinking and have thoughts that keep going round and round.
All of us at some point in life will find things difficult. If you are feeling like there is something in your life that is causing you difficulty and you would like to talk about it then do not struggle alone. Counselling may be the right step towards helping you to make sense of how you are feeling and help you move forward towards positive change.
How to choose a counsellor?
Choosing the right counsellor is an important part of the process of coming into counselling. Some people have had counselling before and know what makes the right counsellor for them and others may be feeling uncertain about the process. Finding someone who ‘feels’ right is personal and individual, and it may take you some time to decide on who is going to be the right counsellor for you.
Making sure that you choose a counsellor who is qualified and registered with an accredited body will ensure that your counsellor is working ethically and is fully trained in the skills that are needed to provide you with a high-quality service. I am both a qualified counsellor and registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
How long will I need counselling?
Counselling can be short term or long term depending on your need and what brought you into counselling. There is no right or wrong length of time for someone to be in counselling. For some 6 sessions are enough and for others, they require longer. As we work together it will become clearer how many sessions may be right for you.
What happens in the first session?
During the first session, we will look at what has brought you into counselling and explore what you hoping to achieve from counselling. We will talk about how we will work together and for how long. We will also discuss matters such as confidentiality, payments and cancellation policies.
How long do sessions last?
Individual sessions will last for 50 minutes. Couples sessions will last for 75 minutes.
