Frequently Asked Questions
What is counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy are both talking therapies held by a professional to help you understand thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space. Usually the goal is to cope better, to bring about desired change or begin to heal. Both can help you understand yourself better, lead to positive changes and help you manage challenges. Both therapies cross over so you do not need to choose one or the other. They may interchange during your sessions. For the purposes of this FAQ page I will refer to both processes as counselling.
It can help if you are feeling stuck, hopeless, helpless, overwhelmed, empty, angry, sad, unable to stop an unhealthy coping mechanism, struggling with emotions, relationships, self-image or identity or past traumas, therapy can help. You do not need to be in crisis to be in therapy. Many people use therapy to gain clarity, self-understanding or for emotional support.
What issues can counselling help with?
The modality of Transactional Analysis is a deep and thorough form of psychotherapy that meets you where you are and helps a variety of presentations. It also helps to get to the root cause, for example, if you are misusing alcohol or self-harming, it can give you other, healthier ways to cope and support the change in habits. The work can then move onto why that coping mechanism developed in the first place. This may include unearthing and integrating the beliefs, grief, unmet needs, trauma or defences that have been holding you back from the life you want to lead. Issues counselling and psychotherapy can help include:
Anxiety, stress and panic
ADHD difficulties
CPTSD and childhood trauma
Depression and low mood
Eating disorders
Emptiness
Identity
Life changes
Loss, bereavement and grief
Low self-esteem and confidence issues
Motivation
People Pleasing
Perfectionism
Self-harm
Thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation)
Trauma
Trust, relationship and family difficulties
Work related issues
How long are counselling sessions and how often do I have them?
Sessions for adults (age 16+) are 50 minutes in duration and are usually weekly. This can be reduced as the sessions progress to every-other-week. Sessions for teenagers (age 13 – 16) tend to prefer 40-minute sessions.
What happens during a first counselling session?
During the first session, background notes may be taken that could help later in the process. We will also explore what you would like to gain from counselling sessions. It is usually the only sessions where notes are be taken, however, if the need to offload or have your emotions held arises, notes will be taken at a later session instead so that I an be fully present with you.
There will be no judgement as you are listened to and no pressure to open up. There will be no pressure to know how you feel either. There are processes that can go on within that are deeper than words, so you are never expected to have ‘the right words’. As a client, you cannot get anything wrong and all your parts are welcome. You will be met where you are and as we carve out your new path, you will have control over where that goes. I will check in along the way to make sure you and I are on the same page and I will look out for unconscious self-sabotage to help you through this should it arise.
How long will I need counselling for?
This answer may only unfold as you move through the process. Some issues only require tools or short-term counselling. Others may take longer especially if we enter into psychotherapy which lends itself to deeper exploration. Generally, we will check in together on session 6 to see how the process is going for your.
What does ‘working somatically’ mean?
Working somatically means working with the body with the goal of healing, changing and learning. The body holds memories from a time before you could lay down memories that you can recall and time stamp. It holds traumas, unresolved emotions and defenses. Working somatically can help you to access these parts that you may experience as body sensations, tightness or aches and pains. It can help resolve and integrate your unconscious, unresolved parts. This is a very gentle yet powerful way to work.
Tuning into the clues your body gives you can also help you cope better with stress, anger, anxiety and other difficult emotions. Helping you to notice your inner states while they are still small. This way of working is invitational.
Is counselling confidential?
Counselling is strictly confidential. The exception to this is if there is a perceived risk of significant harm to self or others. This will be discussed with you at the beginning of your first session.
Where are the sessions held?
Sessions are held in Woodfield Road, Northgate, Crawley and online.
What happens if I need to cancel a session?
Notice of one week is ideal and less than 48 hours will incur a fee. Cancellation terms will be covered in the Working Agreement which will be provided to you before your first session.
How much do counselling sessions cost?
Sessions for ages 13 – 16 are £65. Sessions for 16+ are £70. Both are payable one week in advance of the session.
Limited concessionary rates are available for college and university students and those on a lower income so please ask if you are struggling financially.
Are you professionally qualified?
Yes. I have a level 6 (degree equivalent) diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling. Transactional Analysis is my modality however my background working with mindfulness for anxiety reduction and working somatically is also part of my approach. I am currently obtaining further qualifications, a diploma in Supervision so that I can supervise the work of other counsellors and also in Conscious Connected Breathwork which works with the unconscious.
I am fully insured and adhere to the code of ethics with the NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. I undertake monthly supervision inline with my code of ethics.
What happens if I don’t know what to say?
Despite being a talking therapy, you do not have to come knowing what you will say. Some people experience feeling uneasy or empty and do not have the words to articulate this experience. That’s OK! You will never be expected to know what to say or have all the words to explain your experience. We work where you are at. If you do not know what you want from sessions, we can explore this together.
Are you an LGBTQ+ inclusive Counsellor?
I am a passionate ally of the LGBTQ+ community and feel strongly that nobody should be ‘othered’ for any reason. A number of my clients are from the LGBTQ+ community.