Frequently Asked Questions
When and where can you see me?
I work from a therapy centre in Easton, Bristol within easy reach of central Bristol. This is a safe and confidential space specifically devoted to the talking therapies. I also offer online (Zoom or Skype) and telephone counselling.
How long does it take?
Therapy can be just a few sessions and sometimes even one session may be enough. It may continue over several weeks or months. This depends on your individual situation. I will discuss this with you before and during your course of therapy.
How long is a session?
Sessions last 50 minutes for individual counselling. I offer sessions of 90 minutes for couple's counselling
How often will I see you?
Many people see me every week, but the frequency can vary according to your needs at the time.
What information will I have to share with you?
This is up to you and whatever you feel comfortable with sharing at the time. As the relationship develops, people often become more comfortable to share the more difficult things, but there is really no right or wrong. It is your journey.
Is counselling confidential?
I abide by a strict policy of confidentiality. Only if I feel that you or somebody close to you is in physical danger will I break this confidentiality. As part of my professional development I do have supervision sessions with another qualified practitioner and may talk over cases with them but your name will never be mentioned and this is just to ensure that the work I do with you is of a high standard.
Do you provide low-cost counselling?
I have a limit to how much low-cost counselling I can provide, but please do ask if you want to attend counselling but are worried about your ability to pay and I may be able to offer you a reduced fee.
How does Couple's counselling work?
Couple's therapy is an opportunity to work on areas of a relationship that feel difficult and to find ways to listen more deeply to each other's points of view. As a witness, and somebody not inside of the relationship, I can offer a fresh perspective to the challenges you face in relation to one another and together we can find strategies to ease the pressures you may be experiencing. Couple's session usually last for 90 minutes.
What is mindfulness and meditation?
Mindfulness and meditation are really the same thing; techniques to help you to root yourself more in the here-and-now to attain a deeper sense of peace and well-being. With simple techniques and visualisations, I can help you to calm your body and mind which can in turn help you to gain some distance from difficult feelings or situations you may be experiencing.