Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from counselling?
You will have space to air your feelings and difficulties within an empathic, non-judgemental and confidential environment. We will work together to help you find your own solutions.
Will our counselling sessions be confidential?
I will ensure the content of our sessions is confidential to you the client and to me the counsellor, although on occasion I will need to discuss our work with my professional supervisor and with a trained and qualified peer counsellor, although your identity would remain anonymous. In exceptional circumstances, where I am concerned for your safety or the safety of others, I may need to seek help outside the counselling relationship due to my legal and ethical obligations, however I would always in the first instance try to gain your agreement. I am also legally and ethically obliged to disclose information that relates to the identification of a driver involved in a traffic offence and any information relating to acts of terrorism.
What records or information will you hold in relation to me and how will you ensure the privacy of my personal data?
I will ensure the privacy of any records or information I hold in relation to you. I do keep brief handwritten notes of our sessions which I will keep securely for 6 months following the completion of our work together, after which they will be safely destroyed. You have the right to request to see the information I hold in relation to you and the right to request that information relating to you be deleted or amended at any time.
What is your availability for offering me Counselling?
I am available some weekday evenings between the hours of 6pm and 9pm in Hersham in Walton-on-Thames.
I am also available during the day on weekdays between 9:30am - 2:30pm in Hersham in Walton-on-Thames.
How often will we meet?
We would meet once a week.
How long is each session?
The initial consultation would last for 30 minutes. Each follow up session agreed thereafter would last for 50 minutes.
What can I expect from the initial consultation?
The initial consultation will be an opportunity for you to share your reasons for seeking counselling and for us to consider how I may help you. Most importantly, the initial consultation will also help you to decide whether you feel comfortable in working with me.
How long can I expect to be in counselling for?
Every client is different and will have different requirements. At our initial consultation, we can discuss your needs and whether short or longer term counselling is likely to be more beneficial to you. We will also review our work regularly together.
How much are the fees and how are these paid?
My fees are £25 for an initial consultation. All sessions thereafter will be charged at £60 per session (daytime) or £65 per session (evening time). The fees for the initial consultation must be paid 48 hours in advance in order to secure your first appointment. Fees for follow up sessions can either be paid by cash on the day or by bank transfer (48 hours in advance).
Will I have to pay if I miss a session?
Counselling involves a commitment to the process from both sides and I cannot fill your space with another client if you miss a session. You would therefore need to pay the full fee for missed sessions. However, I do make an exception if you are sick and have provided me with at least 24 hours notice of this cancellation and for pre-arranged holidays (up to four weeks a year) which you have advised me of at least a month in advance.
What happens if I want to end my counselling with you at any time?
You are under no obligation to continue your counselling arrangement with me at any time. However, it is always more useful to work towards a planned ending in any counselling arrangement. I would therefore recommend a notice period of at least four weeks so that we are able to work towards a positive therapeutic ending.
