Counselling is normally viewed as ‘short-term’ work; when someone has a problem that can be looked at and discussed in a clearly-resolvable way. This work often requires taking sessions for a certain number of weeks, to explore, discover and clarify a way forward. Therapy is used more to describe ‘long-term’ work; discussion that tends towards issues that need more exploration and things that might be life-changing on a deeper level.
People come to Therapy for different issues, ranging from personal development to addressing emotional and psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression, confidence and low self-esteem, substance abuse and loss, bereavement and grief amongst others. Furthermore, Therapy supports people cope with deeply entrenched pain and debilitating circumstances as trauma and abuse.
There’s no fixed or ideal length of time for the counselling process; it depends on what your needs are and varies from person to person. It will often depend on many factors (e.g., length of time you are experiencing the presenting issues, the severity, the lack or presence in support systems, the kind of issues you are experiencing, and how they interfere with your quality of life, etc).
Together we will see how long your therapy will last, and my aim is to make sure therapy continues for only as long as it is of benefit to you. You can stop therapy at any time.
Some people find that after only a very few sessions they have some clarity and focus and are ready to end the therapy. Other people value the ongoing support and relationship and will continue to come for weeks, months, or even years. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to therapy.
During the first counselling session we can discuss the reasons you came to therapy and your needs. You can ask questions about the approach to therapy, or any other question you may have and we can explore what is happening in your life right now, how you feel and what you want to achieve by the time you finish therapy. It's a big step coming to therapy and we'll take it as slow or fast as you want it to be, respecting that you are the expert in your life and I am the guide where you want to go.
The most important element of Therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client (yourself) and we know that the acceptance, the warmth and the authenticity of the therapeutic relationship will project in all other relationships in your life as therapy evolves with most important the relationship with yourself.
There is no obligation to continue with me after the first session. It is your right to choose the therapist you want, but I would suggest to communicate this to the therapist as it can be the beginning of an honest and truthful therapeutic process.
Everything we discuss in therapy is confidential, unless information is requested by court order.
Sessions last 50 minutes and cost £120 each.