What is counselling?
Counselling is a talking therapy where you can discuss your thoughts, feelings and behaviours with a Counsellor who will guide you using an empathic and supportive approach.
Counselling can help you come to terms with distressing or traumatic events, such as the loss of a loved one or divorce.
Your sessions may be weekly or fortnightly and you will have an opportunity to agree the number of sessions in your treatment plan with your Counsellor. You will usually receive 8-10 sessions.
Who supports me?
A Counsellor will deliver the therapy and can support you to enable you to make positive changes. The counsellor facilitates change by enabling you to talk about problems
What are the benefits?
You can bring your ironing in any container you desire but it is better that you can hand it over in a bag or container you can leave with us to save unloading. A Counsellor is trained to listen sympathetically to your difficulties and suggest ways to resolve issues and change your behaviour as well as suggesting ways to find your own solutions to your problems.
You will have an opportunity to make sense of experiences that are confusing or distressing and link them to current difficulties. This will help you to make positive and practical changes in your life that will allow you to better manage your issues now and in the future. Counselling is evidence-based and is a recommended intervention by the N.I.C.E. Guidelines (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence).
How do I access it?
You will first need a assessment Consultation . You will have an opportunity to talk about your difficulties and what your goals are. During your assessment you will be able to discuss treatment options with your therapist, where you may both decide that Counselling is best suited to your needs. You will then be given an appointment for Counselling as soon as one becomes available.
Do I need a referral to come and see you?
No – the most usual route to get counselling is self-referral, where you contact me directly and we agree to meet and discuss what you feel you need. However, I also take referrals from Doctors, Psychiatrists, other Medical Consultants, Private Medical Insurance Companies and Employee Assistance Programmes.
What is the difference between counselling and life coaching?
THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSELLING AND LIFE COACHING IS THAT COUNSELLING USUALLY INVESTIGATES THE ROOTS AND CAUSES OF PROBLEMS, WHEREAS COACHING FOCUSES MAINLY ON THE FUTURE TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL-DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
Who do you work with?
We work with men and women of all backgrounds and sexualities with individuals, couples, families, teenagers and groups.
What can I expect at my first session?
This will be an opportunity for us to get a sense of each other. It will also be a chance for us to gather some detailed information on your background and what has brought you for counselling. You will need to commit to a session, usually weekly or fortnightly at a time that suits both, and be prepared to talk about yourself. The purpose of the session is for you to be curious and to understand yourself better. It may take some courage to face difficult issues that you may not have ever talked about before.
How long is a session?
Sessions last around 50 minutes for individuals. For couples the first session is generally 90 minutes long and subsequent sessions are usually 60 – 90 minutes.
How long will Counselling last?
There is not a typical time for someone to be in counselling – this will depend on what you bring, what you would like to work on and in what depth. Short-term Counselling tends to be anything from eight weeks to a year or more. We will decide between us how long we think your sessions will last.
What are the charges?
1:1 sessions cost £55 (50 minutes) and are available for however long we both feel they are useful.
Fees are payable by bank transfer or PayPal, due by the end of each day’s session.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of a session are charged at full fee unless agreed otherwise. Advance cancellation or re-scheduling is possible, subject to availability.
Why go privately?
NHS counselling through Doctors surgeries is often time-limited and you may have to wait a long time to see someone. Usually counselling is not offered on a weekly basis and you are unlikely to have much choice about who you see, when you see them, or the approach they offer.
Do you have a contract with your clients?
Yes. The contract covers issues such as confidentiality, cancellation policy, etc. If we are both happy to continue after the first session we will ask you to sign the Contract. We have found that a Contract helps clients feel safe and happy to work with me. A copy of a contract is available on request..
Got a different Question? Then give us a call and let us answer it.
Clear Mind Counselling Therapy 