At the beginning of the first session we will discuss the counselling contract and talk about the way in which I work as part of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). It would be helpful to know if you have attended counselling before and what type of therapy you received and how this went for you.

It can be really hard to take that first step to come to counselling. You may be unsure about the reasons you’re embarking on this or find it incredibly hard to sit in front of a stranger and talk about yourself. It may make you feel vulnerable to open up and tell me personal information. I will do my best to try and help you to feel comfortable. 

We will take our time. I will ask you questions about what has brought you here and where you would like to see yourself in the future and together we can start to formulate some goals for therapy. 

Sometimes it may feel like the words just don’t come. That’s ok too. We can take our time and talk about some of the positive things in your life too, your family, friends, things that make you happy, what you have achieved and where you have come from.

I will often reflect your words back to you. This helps to bring clarity and understanding for both of us and will help you to explain what you’re feeling in more depth so that we can be on the same page.

If you decide that you’re not quite ready for therapy, that’s absolutely fine too. There will be no pressure for you to continue if it doesn’t feel right for you at that time, or if you decide that I’m not the right person for you. If that is the case I would be happy to recommend another counsellor or signpost you to other support if that’s what you feel you need. 

It may be helpful for you to find out more about the way in which I work and the different types of therapy I offer as an integrative counsellor. Many different therapies can be used by counsellors and psychotherapists, some involve looking at past relationships and experiences to make sense of them, and others involve looking at the here and now. 

You may ask, what is the difference between a counsellor and a psychotherapist? Well, opinion on this does differ, but is generally thought that counselling tends to tackle problems at the time of the crisis, whereas psychotherapy focuses on longer-term psychological problems. ​Additionally, it is thought that psychotherapists often use other methods alongside talking therapies, for example, art, music and movement therapy. 

I can offer some creative methods to help us work together. I can also offer horticultural therapy, which involves working and talking with clients in the garden. Another alternative is walking and talking therapy. These may be helpful for clients in the early stages of therapy or in addition to traditional talking therapy. 

I also have a very friendly dog called Alfie. He normally doesn’t attend sessions as it can be distracting. But if you would like to meet him. That’s fine too. 

You will find me warm, authentic and empathetic. I am always optimistic that once you become more comfortable and familiar with me, you will find it easier to discuss your thoughts and feelings in more depth. We will work collaboratively together to bring awareness and clarity, and together we will find the right tools to support you moving forwards, so that you feel ready to begin the next chapter of your life.

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