Yes, within the counselling room, everything that is said remains confidential. The only exemptions to this are:
• If you mention that you are planning to hurt yourself or someone else
• If I believe that a child or protected adult is at serious risk of harm or abuse
• If I refer you on to another healthcare or medical professional
• If you disclose information relating to proposed acts of terrorism or other serious illegal acts (as contained within our contract)
Should any of these issues arise, I would attempt to discuss it with you before taking it beyond the counselling room.
As a counsellor, I regularly attend clinical supervision where my caseload is discussed. I may discuss you within this professional situation but no identifying details or information is given, and the purpose of this is to assist my learning and development.

During the first session, I will spend a few minutes introducing myself and talking you through the process of counselling and explaining how I work. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and find out a little more about how the counselling process works, and also you can gauge how you feel about working with me.

Then, I will explain and we will agree the terms of our contract – which will explain how many sessions we will agree to - this is usually a joint decision by us both (this can be added to or amended over time as we work together).

It is often at this point during our first session that clients have begun to relax and feel like they want to share with me what has been troubling them or what has brought them to counselling.

At the end of the session – which usually last an hour, I will check with you whether you feel comfortable to continue working together. A key element within the counselling process is the relationship – so it is important that you feel happy and comfortable to trust in me to enable you to feel like you will be able to open up fully as we move forward.

Usually this is discussed and agreed within our first session during our contracting. On average a client agrees to an initial agreement of 6 – 8 sessions.

If you are unhappy or have a complaint, you can raise your concerns with me. If you feel that you cannot do this or you are not satisfied with how the issue has been addressed, then you can take this up with my accrediting body – the BACP. See https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/professional-conduct/how-to-complain-about-a-bacp-member/ for more information

Anyone can go for counselling. There are no barriers. You are welcome regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, culture or employment group. Counselling is not only limited to adults but can also be beneficial for teenagers and children too.

Counsellors do not prescribe medication, but if I feel that you may require medication I would recommend to you that you visit your GP during our session.

No you can refer yourself for counselling at any point in time. Sometimes a doctor may suggest counselling or recommend that you seek talking therapy.

Clients seek counselling for a wide variety of differing reasons including :
• Stress – this can be linked to general life or work related or both
• Anxiety – this can be panic attacks, social anxiety or generalised feelings of anxiousness
• Depression
• Feelings of low mood, low self-esteem, lack of confidence
• Trauma
• Eating disorders
• Relationship difficulties – this could be divorce, marital problems, arguments, affairs, breakups,
• Addiction
• Bereavement, Grief and Loss
• Abuse – this could be physical, verbal or sexual, current or historic