What is counselling?
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that allows you to speak about your problems and concerns to a counsellor in a confidential and secure environment. Counsellors are trained to listen and understand problems from your point of view without judgement or blame. Negative thoughts and difficult feelings can be explored in an empathic way to help you arrive at a solution or conclusion that is comfortable and right for you and your situation.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy helps you gain a better understanding of your issues and work out new ways of coping with difficult problems or situations. By talking to a trained therapist either one to one or in a group, you are able to explore your problems and concerns in a deeper, more meaning way, dealing with troublesome habits and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. There are several types of psychotherapy and your therapist will be able to offer the most helpful depending on your needs and problems. Some methods of psychotherapy may include art, music, drama, movement along with cognitive behavioural therapy, person centred and attachment therapy.
Is counselling confidential?
Respecting clients’ privacy and confidentiality are fundamental requirements for counsellors in order to maintain trust and respect client autonomy. Your counsellor will present you with a client contract to sign which covers most aspects of ethical practice so you have a very clear, boundaried agreement between you both. In some circumstances it may be necessary to disclose confidential information to another party if there is a serious risk to yourself or others, or is required by law, but this will discussed with you in the first instance.
What is supervision in counselling?
Counsellors registered with the BACP will have supervision on a regular basis in order to ensure they are working ethically. Such supervision entails meeting with a counselling supervisor on a regular basis to discuss and review their work with clients along with any personal development requirements. Counselling supervision is considered important to protect clients and to improve the ability of counsellors to provide a good counselling service.
What does supervision mean to confidentiality?
Client details are anonymised during supervision and the supervisor is covered by the same code of ethics with regard to confidentiality as the counsellor.
Will the counsellor give me advice?
Counsellors provide an opportunity and space for you to explore your worries and concerns. Reflective listening by the counsellor allows you to see your problems from a different perspective and explore solution options which are right for you and the situation. Counsellors may help you to find other agencies where you can access specialist help and advice if necessary.
How much does counselling cost?
Developing a trusting relationship with your counsellor / psychotherapist is very important and will help you be able to talk about long-standing problems. It is so important to find the right counsellor to work with and I offer an introductory session of 45 minutes for a fee of £25 so that we can meet and see if we can work together. After the introductory session, further counselling sessions will be £45.00 for 1 hour. Couples counselling has an introductory fee of £35.00 for a 45 minute session, further sessions are £65 for 1 hour.
