F A Q
"Begin at the beginning" the King said gravely " and go on till you come to the end ... then stop"
- The king of Hearts
Q. How do I know if counselling is right for me? people come to counselling for many reasons - feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck , they may have something they want to talk through or simply wanting space to think and reflect.
Q. What if I don't know what to say? Many people have that worry before they begin counselling, I will gently guide the conversation till you find your feet but silence can be good, it can give you time to gather your thoughts or process things that come up
Q. What if I get emotional during a session? Its completely ok to feel emotional during counselling. Many people worry about this but your feelings are always welcome here. We go at a pace that feels comfortable for you
Q. What happens in the first session? The first session is about getting to know each other, talk through if what has brought you to counselling and what you are hoping for from counselling. We will go at your pace
Q. How long does counselling take? Everyone is different, some people only need 1 or 2 sessions to talk through an issue other people have more complex issues. I generally suggest 12 sessions with a review of how you are feeling after 6 sessions
Q. What if we are not a good fit? The relationship between client and counsellor is important. If after our first session you feel I'm not the right Counsellor for you that's absolutely fine, you are free to explore other options.
Q. Do I need to prepare anything before a session? No preparation is needed, just come exactly as you are. Some people like to bring notes they have written down but that's entirely a personal choice. If your mind tends to be scattered, racing or feels busy we can gently work together through things
Q. What should I wear to a counselling session? Whatever you feel comfortable in , theres no expectations to dress ina certain way. Some people arrive straight from work , others come in relaxed comfy clothes or their gym clothes. Its more important that you are comfortable.
Q. What if I find it difficult to explain how I feel? That's very common especially if you are used to masking or putting others needs before your own. We can take our time and explore things together. Sometimes it can help to describe situations or thoughts rather than feelings an we can work from there
Q. What if I talk to much or my thoughts jump around? Many people worry about talking to much in counselling. In reality there is no right amount to speak. Some sessions involve lots of talking while others may include pauses or reflection . Both are completely normal and we simply go at a pace that feels natural to you.