Question 1

What is counselling?

Accepted Answer

Counselling provides a safe. non-judgmental and confidential space in which you can talk through your problems and concerns.  By coming to a better understanding of yourself, your thoughts and behaviours, you can find your own solutions to your issues and develop lasting resilience.  In understansing yourself, you will also understand others more.  A counsellor is not there to give you advice, or tell you what to do, nor do we prescribe medication.

Question 2

What happens in counselling?

Accepted Answer

Counselling can take place in person, online or by telephone, whatever works best for you.  Typically sessions are 50 minutes long, in which you can talk about whatever you want to talk about, you will choose the topic, not me.  Topics can often include things such as relationships, work, your childhood and your past, you feelings and emotions, but ultimatelty you are in control.

Question 3

What can I expect in my first therapy session?

Accepted Answer

Your first therapy session can seem daunting, I know it was for me, as it was a step into the unknown.  In our first session together I will explain who I am and what kind of therapy I provide, in my case person-centered therapy, which you may see described as "talking therapy".  I will then ask you about yourself and what brings you to therapy, this is important as I need to ensure that the concerns you have are ones that I am trained to help you with.  Finally we would agree a contract, which sounds scary but is a mutual agreement about how we will work together.

Question 4

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Accepted Answer

A foundation of counselling is that a person can speak honestly and openly about their thoughts and feelings, our sessions are strictly confidential  I will not be shocked or judge you about the things you tell me as my role is to provide the space where you can truly be yourself.   There are a few exclusions to confidentiality which I will explain to you when I speak to you, these concern your safety and the safety of others.

Question 5

How do I get the most out of my therapy?

Accepted Answer

Getting the most out of your therapy will involve you being entirely open and honest about how you are feeling.  You will always decide what you want to talk about, in counselling you have the chance to talk about things you may feel ashamed of or fear judgment about, as your counsellor I will not shame or judge you, non judgment is a cornerstone of my counselling training.  I hope to provide a feeling safety and security where you can discuss anything you choose.

Question 6

Where and when will my counselling take place?

Accepted Answer

Your counselling will take place by telephone or via Zoom, the choice is entirely up to you.  Zoom is quite straightforward and if you choose this type of therapy I will talk you through how it would work.  At the moment I am available on Mondays 4-6, Tuesdays 8-6pm, Wednesday 4-6 and Saturdays 8-12.

Question 7

How do I pay for therapy and what does it cost?

Accepted Answer

My fee is £45 per hour and sessions can be paid for via online banking.

Question 8

Can I trust you?

Accepted Answer

As a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (registration number 397769), I adhere to their code of ethics and professional conduct and standards.  The code of conduct governs how I practice as a counsellor, one of the guiding principles is being trustworthy and also putting the needs of my client's first.  You can find out more about my professional standards body here https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/standards/. (https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/standards/.)

Question 9

How does online counselling work?

Accepted Answer

Online counselling is the same as face to face to counselling, you can achieve the same outcomes.  I use Zoom video conferencing which is end-end encrypted so nobody else would be able to hack into our  conversation.  I will send you a link via email which you click on and our session would begin.  You can use your phone, PC or laptop, the use of headphones/microphone is advisable as it is important that I can clearly hear and understand you. I will also use headphones so that you cannot be overheard to guarantee your confidentiality,

Question 10

Will you give me advice?

Accepted Answer

As a counsellor, I do not give advice to people.  The reason for this is that I believe that you know what is best for you, you are the expert on yourself.  You may not know the best course of action right now, but in therapy you will discover your own way forward when you understand yourself more fully.  You can then take this new found understanding with you out into the world, you will always have your "tool kit" with you when you find yourself in challenging situations.

Gareth Barnes MBACP
Dip Counselling

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