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What does a counsellor do?
Listening carefully and reflecting is a large part of what all counsellors do. They make sure clients have clarified the problem areas in their own terms by exploring together what is going on in their lives and helping them decide what steps they want to take next. I always let the client set their own pace and I am not there to give you advice, tell you what to do or judge you in any way. The aim of counselling is to help you come to your own decisions, as only you know how you feel in any given situation.
Will counselling work for me?
During our initial counselling session, we will spend some time discussing your concerns, establishing some working guidelines and considering what sort of counselling approaches might be appropriate for you. We will also explore whether you feel comfortable with me as your counsellor and address any questions you may have about counselling in general.
How do I choose the right counsellor?
For counselling to be effective it's important that you feel sufficiently at ease with the counsellor to share your issues in detail. This requires a level of trust to be built early on in the counselling relationship. During our initial sessions we will start to get to know each other and this will provide a good basis for your decision to continue with me as a counsellor.
Will the counsellor tell anyone else about my problems?
Adhering to the BACP code of ethics is extremely important to me. Any information you share with me remains strictly confidential and will not leave the room unless there are very exceptional circumstances. We will agree what this means in practice during our initial counselling session.
How long does counselling usually last?
This will vary from person to person and depends on a number of factors. Some clients' issues can be addressed over a few sessions while others may take longer. It is important that you are able to progress at your own pace and ultimately it will be up to you to decide when you are ready to move beyond the counselling relationship.
How often will we meet?
To build momentum it is useful to meet regularly, particularly in the early stages of counselling. Ideally we would plan for a session every one or two weeks initially but we can be flexible and adjust this to meet your individual needs. Each session normally lasts around 50 minutes.
Where do we meet?
Our face-to-face counselling sessions will usually take place in a private counselling room in Aberdeen.
I am also happy to provide remote counselling sessions via Zoom or telephone.
How much will it cost?
As from 1 Feb 2023 my fees are £50 for a single session of up to 50 minutes.
Note that a charge will be made for missed appointments or late cancellations.
What is the best way to get in touch?
You can contact me directly by phone, message or email (see contact info). I aim to respond to any messages left on my voicemail within 24 hours. I maintain the same level of confidentiality for all such conversations as I would do for any counselling session.
How long will it take to get a first appointment?
I will normally be able to arrange an introductory session within 1 to 2 weeks of initial contact, although during busy periods or vacations it might take a little longer to find a mutually convenient date.
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