Frequently Asked Questions

I provide specialist individual 1:1 counselling for children aged 6+ and adults who are struggling with  difficult feelings and events e.g grief, anxiety or low self-esteem. Clients also come to me for help with stress, relationship issues,  family conflict, major life changes, school/work issues or trauma. 

The 20 minute free telephone consultation is an opportunity for you to talk about why you are seeking counselling and to ask questions about how we might work together. After the free consultation we can arrange a first session which is an assessment of your needs and an opportunity for you to decide whether you would like to continue to have counselling with me.  I will also ask questions so that I can make sure that I have the right skills and experience to work with you in a safe and ethical way. We discuss when your counselling might take place - sessions are weekly - and usually take place at the same time every week. 

It is difficult to say how many sessions you might need. Some clients benefit from shorter term work (6-12 weekly sessions) during which we identify coping strategies. Other clients require longer term work (up to a year or more) which allows us to look more deeply into root causes of problems e.g previous trauma or patterns of behaviour which developed in childhood. I encourage clients to commit to 6 sessions initially. I then offer regular reviews so that we can talk about how the work is going and how it might be changed or improved. 

I have CPCAB level 2 & level 3, as well as a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I have additional training and experience in bereavement/grief support (Cruse). As part of my registered membership of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), I undertake  regular training and I attend supervision with a senior therapist. I have a background in secondary teaching and have a BA(Hons) Degree and a PGCE teaching qualification. 

As well as a background in secondary teaching, I have specialist training and experience in counselling children aged 5+. I have 2+ years' experience as a children's counsellor for children aged 5-11 in a primary school with Place2Be (a school-based mental health support charity). I have an enhanced DBS and undertake regular training in safeguarding. As part of my ongoing training and development in this specialism, I am studying a Level 5 qualification with Place2Be. I use art, play, and creativity in my work with children and young people. 

Everything you say in a counselling session is usually confidential. Exceptions to confidentiality are very unusual e.g. it is considered that there is a serious risk to your safety, or that of others. We will discuss this in more detail at the initial consultation. 

As a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), I attend supervision with a supervisor who makes sure that I work in a safe and ethical way. I may discuss your case at supervision but my supervisor is also bound by the BACP ethical framework.