Frequently Asked Questions
You can bring anything that is on your mind. You do not need to be in crisis or have a “big” problem or a specific diagnosis. Counselling is for anyone. If something is affecting your wellbeing or quality of life then counselling can be of benefit. Some of the common reasons people come to see me at my therapy room in Andover include anxiety, low mood, relationship challenges, stress, low self-esteem, or simply feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
While online therapy offers wonderful convenience and flexibility for many, my practice is intentionally rooted in face-to-face connection. I offer counselling sessions in person only. Working together in the same room allows us to connect without the barrier of a screen, eliminating tech distractions and screen fatigue. For me counselling is most impactful when we step away from technology allowing us to focus entirely on your well being in a quiet, dedicated space.
Each session lasts for 50 minutes. Sessions will usually take place weekly, although we can discuss what frequency works best for you. My current fee is £60 per session. I will always let you know if this changes. I also offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can see if we might be a good fit before booking.
There is no single straightforward answer to this question. It depends on your goals and circumstances. Some clients benefit from just a few sessions, while other clients find longer-term work more helpful. It can be important to bear in mind that if the issue you are dealing with has a long history it is not something that can be resolved in a fortnight – it will take time. We can regularly review how things are going so you feel confident in the process.
Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of counselling. It is important that you feel you can trust your counsellor to enable you to speak openly. The assurance that what you share with your counsellor is kept confidential allows for deeper exploration of the things that you might find difficult to talk about. There are however some exceptions to confidentiality including situations where there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, or when required by law to disclose information. I will explain this fully in our first session so you know exactly where you stand.
Yes, I am a fully qualified, insured counsellor and an Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I work within their Code of Ethics and undertake regular supervision to support safe, ethical practice. You can find out more about my Professional Qualifications, Training and Experience here.
Counselling is not one size fits all. I will not be the right counsellor for everyone and that is ok. It is so important to find the right counsellor for you. Initially you can go on whether they deal with the issues you are bringing, whether they are qualified and have experience, if the location and fee works for you etc. However, it may well only be when you sit with them in the room for the first time that you will begin to get a sense of whether they are the right counsellor for you. Things to consider when you meet me include whether you feel comfortable, safe, and understood. Do you think you could be honest and share intimate details with me? Trusting your gut instinct can be helpful at first. As things progress continue to review how you feel. If as we are working together you decide that I am not the right counsellor for you I can work with you to refer you to another counsellor.
Yes. You are free to end counselling with me at any time. This is an important part of client autonomy. I do encourage an ending session where possible. This enables us to reflect on your counselling journey, review what you have achieved and to bring things to a gentle close.
I require a minimum of 48 hours' notice to cancel a session. Cancellations with less than 48 hours' notice will be charged the full session fee. This policy is crucial to the sustainability of my private practice and my business as a sole trader.
