For many people reaching out for counselling can feel overwhelming and so difficult. Feelings of anxiety or uncertainty often intensify and prevent many people from reaching out. Picking up the phone or sending the first message is often the hardest step to take. I understand how that feels. I hope this information helps to put you a little more at ease.

I offer a free informal pre therapy chat/ consultation via telephone or in person, always with no obligation.
How is this useful?
What Can You Expect from me during this consultation

To ask you for a brief outline of what is bringing you to counselling at this point of time.
To ask what your aims, goals, wishes or needs are from counselling.
You Can also Expect Me
To be a genuinely caring, considerate person who is easy to talk to.
To try to help you feel at ease and as comfortable as possible.
To meet you on a personal level of equality and respect.
To be non- judgemental.
To respect you for the individual you are, with your unique life experience,
To be sensitive to you as a person and your needs.
To not be shocked by what you say.
To listen empathically and communicate that I understand what is happening for you.
To be transparent in whether I can offer you the support you are looking for.

You will be able to decide
if I offer what you need and work in a way that suits you
that I have adequate training to work with you safely and professionally
if the times and days I have available will work for you
Your Safety

As a counsellor working safely and ethically with each client is paramount to me. I hold a recognised Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and have experience of working with many presenting issues including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-sabotaging behaviours, relationship difficulties, bereavement, as well as childhood trauma and neglect. I also have training with Choices working with Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, Mindbody Breakthrough Trauma training, Cruse Bereavement Training, and additional training in bereavement for sudden death or bereavement by suicide.
As a member of a Governing Professional Body, The National Society of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, I am required to attend regular supervision to ensure my knowledge and skills are up to date and that I am working in a safe and ethical manner.
What do you need from your counsellor?
This initial chat gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your counselling or about myself. I will always answer any questions with openness and honesty.
Each counsellor is unique, with various training and experience.
I work with a wide and diverse range of people, issues, and problems. However, some counsellors specialise in certain fields such as trauma, addiction, couples work or neurodiversity.
Understanding your situation during this initial contact enables me to ascertain if I can work with you safely, ethically and meet your needs from counselling.
if you have a particular issue, problem, or concern that I believe could be more effectively supported by a counsellor that has more experience in that area, I will be open and honest, and will suggest a referral for you. Some specific treatments work better for specific issues. CBT is often recommended for OCD issues.
What this means for you is that if we work together
I will be working within good practice guidelines and an ethical code, within my limits of proficiency and always with your best interests at heart.
I will fully support you to work towards your desired outcomes, goals or wishes from counselling.
Your needs and requirements will always come first.
My Style of Working

With counselling training and experience comes varying styles of working with clients. My foundation is Person Centred Talking Therapy which is based on
The belief that everyone has the potential, capacity and desire for personal growth and change.
Sees you as the expert on yourself.
Is client led. You know best what is most pressing for you at any point in time
Works to your agenda, with what you bring each session and at your pace.
Builds a therapeutic relationship based on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence.
Provides the space and safety for you to reflect and process experiences, thoughts, feelings, behaviours, mindset, beliefs, and values.
Promotes personal growth, development, self-awareness and insight.
Provides understanding and clarity on what is affecting you and why.
Helps you to see different perspectives and possible root causes of your distress or difficulties.
Helps you to discover which steps will be the right steps for you to take. Steps and changes that will help you to improve your overall mental health and well being.
I also offer psychoeducation, other modalities and tools, such as coping strategies, stone therapy, or inner child work, if I feel they will be beneficial to a client.
How Do You Feel?

This first meeting also gives you the chance to see if you feel a connection with me.
Do you get a sense that you would like to work with me? Do you feel like with we fit. Sometimes we speak to people who we just naturally don't think we can get on with them. That's okay, it's important that you feel a connection with your counsellor. Research suggests that for many clients the relationship that builds over time is paramount to their progress. You never have to decide to book a session straight away. You can always take time to reflect and then decide.
If you feel happy, then we can go ahead and arrange your first session. I will then send all the information you'll need to feel comfortable to begin. And you can always ask any questions that come up before you begin.
If it's not feeling right or you would like more time to decide, then that's okay too. You always have the choice whether you wish to book an appointment, there is never any obligation to say yes or commit yourself at this point.
I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect when you first reach out to a counsellor and how you can ensure that who you work with is right for you.
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