Appointments: here’s what to expect
1. FREE initial telephone consultation
You can call me to arrange a FREE 15-minute telephone consultation. You can use this time to talk about why you want to come for counselling or to find out more about what coming for counselling with me would involve.
If we decide to proceed, at the end of our telephone conversation, we will arrange a date and time for your first session.
However, you may prefer not to speak at any length on the phone when you first make contact. Perhaps you prefer to arrange your first session without going into any detail about why you wish to come for counselling. That’s no problem. Just phone or email me to set-up your first appointment. Either way is perfectly fine.
2. First session
You can use this time in any way you wish, telling me as much or as little as you want about whatever is on your mind. You may also want to explore what you would like to get out of counselling.
You might find it helpful to think about some or all of the following questions prior to attending your first Counselling session:
- what do you feel is the issue or problem?
- how long has the issue been present in your life?
- why do you think it is causing you stress at this time in your life?
- what impact is it having on you; on people in your immediate and wider family; on your friends and colleagues?
- what do you think has made this issue persist?
- what has helped most to alleviate aspects of the problem? What has helped least?
- are there any links between the problem you are describing and previous difficulties or problems that you have encountered in your life?
- what words can you best use to describe it?
- what do you think would happen if it gets worse?
- what might you advise a friend who was experiencing a similar difficulty?
- what do you want to be different in your life?
Writing down the answers to these questions can help sort out the muddle or confusion that often arises in us when things are difficult to deal with.
Do not worry if you are unable to be clear about all the problems or which problem is upsetting you most. Write a list of what you think are the main issues, how they are affecting you or others and your feelings about such issues.
In addition to discussing what has brought you to Counselling, at this point in your life, the first session also gives both of us a chance to decide whether we feel that we could work together. It is important for you to feel comfortable with me, to feel that I am someone you could trust and open up to.
For my part, I will want to make sure that I feel reasonably confident that I can work with you, in a competent manner, within the limits of my experience and training.
In the first session, you can also ask me any questions you may have about counselling or specifically about my counselling background.
Finally, if we decide to have more sessions, we can discuss whether we will proceed on a short-term or more open-ended basis. I will also take some time to explain practical matters such as confidentiality, fees, and what happens if you need to cancel an appointment.
If we decide not to continue working together, I can refer you to other more suitable sources of help.
Length Our first session will last between 50 minutes and one hour.
Availability Sessions are available during the day, in the evening and on Saturdays. I can usually offer you an initial appointment within one week of your enquiry.
3. Subsequent sessions
Length Sessions last between 50 minutes and one hour. At times, you may want to attend for longer sessions e.g. 1.5 hours. This is possible and will be charged for on a pro rata basis.
Frequency We will usually meet on a weekly basis, although some people prefer to attend fortnightly. This frequency allows us to build up momentum. Also, having sessions close together can help to build a trusting therapeutic relationship.
Bookings You may schedule your appointments one at a time or you can book several sessions in advance. This allows you to reserve a particular time that fits in with your other commitments.
Reviews We will have regular reviews of our work together. This allows us to reflect on whether your expectations are being met and to look at what you are getting out of counselling. It also gives you the chance to bring up any grievances or concerns you may have about the process. Although, it goes without saying, that you can do this at any time and I would encourage you to do so, as I welcome this kind of feedback.
Cancellations policy
I require 48 hours notice of cancellation. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged for, as will appointments missed without notice.
