I understand you may still have some thoughts holding you back.
Here are some of the things that clients often say.
Just click on an item to see how we might approach it.
I don’t really know what’s wrong.
That’s ok, we will take our time to explore how you know something isn’t right and go from there.
My problems are tiny and unimportant compared with other people’s.
Many of us think like that, but if they are stopping you living the life you want, then they are important and worth looking at.
My problems are too big.
Counselling can contain our hardest, most painful experiences and when we share problems in a safe, trusted, non-judgmental relationship, they can ease.
It’s been like this as long as I can remember.
We learn ways of thinking or behaving that help us cope at the time. Then they become unconscious and we keep doing them even when they become unhelpful. Just like we learned them we can unlearn and change them through awareness, understanding and challenge.
I don’t deserve to spend an hour a week on me.
What would you say to a friend who said that? Of course, you deserve it. Other people spend hours at the gym, playing sports or on hobbies. It is hard to allow ourselves but we all need “me” time.
I’m anxious because I don’t know what it will be like.
That’s natural. I hope I give you a good idea what it would be like to be in counselling with me here. If you have any questions at all please do just contact me and I will be very happy to talk it through. I offer a free, no obligation, 15 minute phone call where you can ask me any questions, tell me what brings you and you can decide if you want to meet for a first session. During your first session you will actually experience what counselling with me is like so you can decide if it is for you.
I don’t understand what all the different types of counselling are like. How can I know what is right for me?
They are quite confusing for counsellors too! Although counsellors can get very tribal about their specialty the research suggests that the exact type of therapy generally makes little difference to the outcome for you. Research shows that the two most important factors in the success of therapy is the quality and the depth of the therapeutic relationship between you and your counsellor and your commitment to your counselling. So the most important thing is finding a counsellor that feels right to you.
I don’t know which counsellor is the right one for me.
That is hard and you have so many to choose from.
- First it is important that you choose someone who is properly qualified and a member of an accredited organisation. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am bound by its Ethical Framework and Complaints procedure.
- Second, make sure they have the training and experience to work with what you bring. You can read about me here.
- Third, sit down with a cup of something nice and look at a few counsellors’ websites and get a feel for the people behind them. Then contact two or three and ask everything you want to know and see who feels right for you.
I can’t afford it
Private counselling generally costs £40 to £50 per session. I believe that is a fair price because I see what it can do for people and know the depth of training needed,. However, for many people it might be fair but it is simply unaffordable. I have set a scale of fees which starts at £20 per session if you are on a low income. I realise that this will still be too much for some people and if that is you I am sorry and hope you can find the support you need. You might try here.
