01284 752845 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What qualifications do you have?

I have worked in the primary health sector for 5 years and have experience of dealing with vulnerable people.  I have completed courses in Child Protection, Abuse, Dealing with Vulnerable People and Unisafe.

What organisations/governing bodies do you belong to?

What is psychodynamic counselling?

Psychodynamic therapy (or Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy as it is sometimes called) is a general name for therapeutic approaches which try to get the patient to bring to the surface their true feelings, so that they can experience them and understand them.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy uses the basic assumption that everyone has an unconscious mind (this is sometimes called the subconscious), and that feelings held in the unconscious mind are often too painful to be faced. Thus we come up with defences to protect us knowing about these painful feelings. An example of one of these defences is called denial - which you may have already come across.

Psychodynamic therapy assumes that these defences have gone wrong and are causing more harm than good, that is why you have needed to seek help. It tries to unravel them, as once again, it is assumed that once you are aware of what is really going on in your mind the feelings will not be as painful.

What does eclectic mean?

Eclectic in the counselling context means that you adopt not one specific counselling theory, by trial and error over the years, you adapt various aspects from a number of counselling models in order to formulate a suitable programme for the client and therefore tailoring the counselling sessions to each individual as you see necessary. 

How many sessions will I need?

There is no definitive answer to this although we will review regularly, every 4 to 6 sessions.  It also depends on the issues that you present with.

Do you have supervision?

As part of our ongoing development, Counsellors should have supervision on a regular basis. I have supervision every month with someone who is qualified as both a Counsellor and Supervisor and has a wide range of experience spanning over 10 years.

Are you CRB checked?

I am CRB checked, and this is available on request for you to see.

What about confidentiality?

The nature of the counselling sessions is strictly confidential between the Counsellor and the client. However, there are two exceptions;

Do you have Insurance?

My professional liability insurance is for 2.5 million and my certificate is clearly displayed in my counselling room along with my qualification and membership certificates.

How do I make an appointment?

You can contact me by telephone on 01284 752845 or e-mail me by clicking here. If I am not available as I am with a client, I have a 24 hour answer phone where you can leave me a message with your name and telephone number and I will contact you as soon as possible.

What will happen once I have booked my initial appointment?

After booking your initial session I will send you an information pack by e-mail or if you do not have the internet I can send it by post.  This pack contains information such as guidelines to counselling, an introductory questionnaire, directions and my professional fees.

You then return the introductory questionnaire with your initial session fee, as this confirms your appointment.  The questionnaire gives me information about you that will hopefully make it easier for both of us at the initial session, as I will already know some of your reasons for seeking therapy.. Please be assured that any information you supply is in confidence and is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (Subject to my Code of Conduct). 

Will I start to feel better straight away?

As counselling is designed to talk through issues that are making life difficult for you, sometimes whilst you are resolving some of the painful issues you may ask yourself is it worth it?  Having been through therapy myself, I can honestly say that it most definitely is.  Guidelines for those seeking counselling may help you, click here.