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How to Start

Finding a therapist

If you feel ready to start, it’s important to find someone that you can work with effectively. You may want to consider things like:

  • what type of therapy would best suit you
  • do you want in-person or online sessions
  • would you prefer a therapist of a particular gender
  • do you need a therapist who has a particular specialism

Registered therapists usually charge between £40-£80 per session and can be found using websites such as Counselling Directory or BACP. You can also access talking therapies on the NHS or through some charities. For further information please read this information from Mind’s website or check out the free telephone and online resources listed in the More Help section of this website.

Ask for help

Contact me via email or telephone and I will get in touch with you to arrange a brief assessment session (up to 20 minutes) to discuss your needs and suggest support resources that are available.

This should give us a good idea of what kind of therapy will work best for you and where you can find it, getting you going in the right direction. If we conclude that counselling sessions might be right for you then you can arrange a full 50 minute session with me or use the links above to find someone who is better suited to your needs.

What happens in my first session?

I will introduce myself, remind you that this is a confidential space and that we have 50 minutes. I will ask you to tell me a little about yourself, I may ask what has brought you to counselling.

I will do my best to put your nerves at ease. Remember that this session is for you to use entirely as you wish, there will be no judgement at all from me and I won’t tell you how you should feel.

What to expect in your first session

We’ll try to establish your therapeutic goals, that is: what do you want from counselling, what would you like to have been achieved by the end of your sessions, how will you know when you have achieved it? We will discuss ways to achieve these goals and begin working towards them. If appropriate, we can discuss signposting you towards other free and paid support resources.

If you feel we are a good fit, you can continue working with me in weekly paid sessions. We must agree to a particular time and day that suits us both. Sessions cost £45 each and must be paid on the day. I will email you a therapeutic contract which you must read and agree to. The contract is our counselling agreement and states our responsibilities. See an example contract here.

To cancel a scheduled session you must give 24 hours notice but other than that you are not committed to any number of sessions and are can terminate the contract whenever you wish. I hope to contribute something to your journey in our time together, and that you are able to continue the work in a way that is right for you afterwards.

How many sessions do I need?

Typically, I recommend 12 sessions with a review in session 6, but it really depends on your unique circumstances. In a review session we reflect on the effectiveness of our work to make sure it’s appropriate for your needs. We will also reassess and perhaps revise your therapeutic goals.

As we move through the planned number of sessions, therapeutic goals tend change. Some people get what they need within 6 sessions, others will find value working with greater relational depth over a more long-term basis.

Just the act of starting counselling can bring a sense of empowerment (knowing that a previously avoided problem can truly be faced head on) resulting in feeling much lighter after only one or two sessions.

There is no minimum or maximum number of sessions and you are not contractually committed to any specific number of sessions. For long- term work we would typically renew the contract every 12 weeks. All I ask is for 24 hours’ notice if you want to cancel a session or end counselling with me. When ending, it is customary to plan a final session. This is for summation, reflections, any necessary referral and to ensure as smooth and controlled an ending as possible.