Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the first session?
The first session lasts one hour. First of all the counsellor will explain the counselling contract, in terms of how long sessions last, the frequency of sessions, our cancellation policy, our data protection policy, the boundaries of confidentiality etc. Then, there will be some space for you to use as you wish, perhaps to explain what brings you to counselling and what you hope to get out of it.
Fifteen minutes or so before the end of the session, you and your counsellor will decide whether you feel you could work together, or whether some other type of therapy or a different therapist may be more beneficial for you. If you decide to contract with the counsellor, you will be asked to complete a short form and give an indication of how many sessions you think you may want initially. The contract will then be reviewed periodically to ascertain whether the counselling is helping you and to see if you would like to continue.
How much does it cost?
It normally costs £35 per session. You don't have to pay if you need to cancel a session (with 24 hours' notice) or if you or the counsellor go on holiday. In some circumstances, for example, if you're on working family tax credit we can subsidise your counselling sessions. Please mention this at the (fully-subsidised) initial session, or if your circumstances change, for example, you lose your job, the contract can be reviewed.
What if I need to cancel?
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, we will confirm with you that we received your notification of cancellation and provided it is within 24 hours of your appointment time, there will be no charge.
How many sessions can I have?
You can have as many sessions as you require.
What if I don't 'click' with the counsellor I have been allocated?
It is really important that there is a connection between you and your counsellor as the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the key factors to the counselling being effective. If at the end of the initial session or at the end of the initial series of counselling sessions even, you feel that you are holding back or don't feel comfortable in talking about certain issues with your counsellor, it may be advisable to try a different counsellor. They may not be the right counsellor for you. If this happens let the counsellor or the General Manager know and we can allocate you another counsellor.