COUNSELLING & THERAPY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's the difference between counselling and therapy?
Both counselling and therapy offer a space to develop self-understanding and explore your own path forward. I believe that we all have the inner resources to grow and that having support in this process can be incredibly valuable. Counselling often focuses on a specific issue or life event, such as a recent bereavement, job loss, or the end of a relationship. It’s typically shorter-term, with an agreed time frame, often around 12 to 16 weeks, to address these immediate concerns. Therapy, on the other hand, tends to be more open-ended, offering the chance to explore deeper, long-standing issues over several months or longer. This might include looking at underlying patterns or ongoing challenges like depression, anxiety, or unresolved past experiences, allowing for a more in-depth process of change and self-discovery. It’s not always clear at the start which approach might be most helpful, and that’s okay. We can take the time to figure out together what feels right for you and where you want to go with the work. I hope this gives you a clearer idea of how counselling or therapy could support you.
How long will it take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the length of counselling or therapy depends on your unique needs and circumstances. Counselling and therapy aren’t meant to last forever, but the process takes time to unfold. I typically work with clients on an open-ended basis, allowing us to regularly check in and see how things are progressing. We can also agree on a set number of sessions if that feels more manageable, especially if there are specific goals or constraints. To start, I usually suggest committing to six to twelve sessions. This gives us time to build a foundation and see what working together can offer. Towards the end of that period, we’ll review our work and decide whether to continue or bring our sessions to a close.
I am looking to get a diagnosis / I have a mental health diagnosis. Can I work with you?
Absolutely. I offer an inclusive and supportive space for those seeking emotional support, whether you are neurodivergent or have a mental health diagnosis. While I don’t provide diagnoses as part of my counselling practice, my focus is on you as an individual—your feelings, experiences, and unique way of being. Whatever your diagnosis or mental health history, you are welcome to reach out. In our initial meeting, we can explore what’s bringing you to therapy and discuss how we might work together.
Do you offer fortnightly sessions?
No, I don’t offer fortnightly sessions, and there’s a reason for that. While 50 minutes once a week might seem brief, it’s an important and consistent space within your week. If sessions were held fortnightly, a missed session would leave a four-week gap between appointments, which can make the process feel disjointed and slow down progress. Weekly sessions help maintain continuity and keep the work focused, allowing for a deeper, more consistent therapeutic experience.
Will you give me advice?
I’m here to listen, ask questions and explore your experience together with you, but I won’t tell you what to do. This might feel challenging at first, but it’s designed to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and experience in a way that empowers you to make your own decisions. It’s important that you feel in control of your journey. Often, simply talking things through can provide new perspectives and uncover solutions you hadn’t considered. The therapeutic process focuses on helping you gain insight into your challenges, develop coping strategies and support you in your choices.
Will I have to pay if I need to cancel a session?
If you need to cancel a session, please let me know by email at least one week in advance. If a cancellation is made less than a week before a session, the missed session will be fully charged. In the event of a late cancellation, for example because of work commitments or illness, I may be able to offer a replacement session within the same week, depending on availability and if a mutually convenient time can be arranged. If I need to cancel or reschedule, I will provide as much notice as possible.
Will the sessions be confidential?
Yes, our sessions are confidential. There are a few exceptions where confidentiality may need to be broken, such as if I’m legally required to do so (for example in cases of terrorism, money laundering, or to prevent serious harm) or if there’s a risk of harm to yourself, others, or children. If this situation arises, I will always aim to discuss it with you first. As part of my professional commitment to the BACP’s guidelines, I also attend regular supervision with a BACP-accredited supervisor. This is to ensure the quality of my practice, and any case discussions are handled with strict anonymity.
How do I know when to end?
Deciding when to end therapy is a personal choice, and it depends on where you feel you are in your journey. You may begin to notice that you feel more at peace, more confident in handling challenges, or that you've addressed what you wanted to explore. If you're thinking about ending, it can be helpful to talk it through with me. Together, we can decide if it's the right time and plan how and when to wrap up. It's completely normal to feel unsure or unsettled at times, especially when therapy brings up deep emotions. If this happens, we can work through it together to make sure you feel supported. You can end counselling at any time, but if we've been working together regularly for some time, I suggest we have a conversation about how much notice might feel helpful to prepare for the ending. This allows us to bring closure to the process in a way that feels right for you.