How it works

What to expect from our counselling process?

Perhaps it is helpful to start with what counselling is not. It is not about my giving you advice or making decisions for you. However, it is about my supporting you to look at feelings, emotions, patterns of thinking and behaviour and supporting you to find alternative options and coping strategies. You are the expert in your own life. You might talk about what is concerning you in the here and now, or look back at relationships, childhood or other events and experiences.

How it works

1. Free initial call: We would speak on the phone to get a sense of what you are looking for and what I can offer. This would be a free, up to 20-minute conversation. If we both felt we would like to find out more about each other we would have our first assessment session.
2. No obligation first assessment session to see if we are a good fit: This is a full 50-minute session to discuss in more detail your needs and hopes. we would begin to get to know each other a bit more. This assessment session is about our both deciding if we can work together. I need to be sure I have the right skills to support you, and you need to feel comfortable with the idea of working with me. The flat rate for this assessment session is £30. Thereafter, sessions are £45. Fees are reviewed annually.
3. We would complete some paperwork together including our contract. This contract informs our work together and is a written, signed understanding of how we will work together and what we both agree to. I work face-to-face in Hethersett. If we decide to work online, the platform I use is Zoom. Please see attached help-sheet about working with Zoom.
4. If we agree to continue working together we would find a mutually convenient day and time for our ongoing sessions. This might be for a fixed number of session (e.g., 6, 8, 12 etc) or for work on a more open-ended basis. Either way we will regularly check how the sessions are going for you. Usually, you will know when you are ready to end your therapy. It is something we can discuss and review regularly along with checking-in to see how the sessions are going and any difficulties or uncertainties you might be experiencing. 

For more information on ‘How to get the most out of counselling’ please see the work by John-Paul Davies: https://www.psychocounselling.org.uk/news/are-you-getting-the-most-out-of-your-counselling-sessions/ (accessed 04/03/2025).

Crisis Management

If you need urgent support, please contact your GP or NHS Out of Hours on 111. For life-threatening emergencies dial 999.

Support is also available 24/7 at the Samaritans on 116 123