What TO expect from SESSIONS WITH me
What can you expect from counselling sessions with me?
I am based in Brighton and run my private practice online on Tuesdays between 10am-7pm. I offer one-to-one therapeutic support via Zoom or telephone call on a short, medium or long-term basis for clients of all ages ranging from early adolescence to adults. I work with many differing needs, but have a special interest in working with bereavement and also with adolescents and young adults.
I use a person-centred approach which means that I see you as a unique individual. I focus on what is important to you and our sessions will follow your pace. I won't offer you my opinion or advice, or provide you with solutions as I believe that having the space to talk to someone neutral can help you to explore your options in order to better understand your problems and find the solutions that work best for you. My role is to work alongside you whilst providing a safe and supportive relationship so that you can feel able to explore your feelings, without any judgments or expectations. I may also use EMDR and Mindfulness grounding techniques which can help you learn how to self-soothe outside of the therapy room should you feel the need to. You can read more about EMDR and Mindfulness via the links at the bottom of this page.
I offer a free of charge 30 minute introductory session either by Zoom or telephone call to discuss what you would like to gain from counselling and help you decide whether I am the right person to work with you. There is no obligation or pressure to continue if you decide that you don’t want to contract to sessions. However, if you do decide you would like to continue, we can agree on a mutually convenient time to work together and on the number of sessions you would like to start with. Please make contact with me with your availability and brief description of what you would like help with using the button at the bottom of this page.
How many sessions and how often?
This is your call and totally depends on you and what you want to gain from counselling. Some people find that six weekly sessions are sufficient, some may want twelve weekly sessions, some may want weekly sessions for six months and some for a year or more. I will work with you on this and will not pressure you to contract to more sessions than you feel you need. As a guide, I normally suggest clients start with six weekly sessions which we can then review together during our third session. At this point you may decide that you would like to stick with our contracted six sessions, agree to contract for further sessions, or end earlier than originally planned if you no longer wish to continue. With regards to how often you will need sessions, again this is your call, but most clients start with weekly sessions and after some time, may reduce this to fortnightly. We can work together to establish what feels the right fit for you.
Can I return for further sessions after we have finished working together?
Absolutely. I appreciate that we all need to take a break at times and counselling is no exception to this. Maybe you have been able to work through the reason we originally started working together and things feel more manageable, or perhaps you are presently unable to continue for financial reasons so we have mutually agreed to pause our working alliance for the time being. Whatever the reason, you are more than welcome to return at any point. I welcome you to make contact with me so that we can arrange a mutually convenient time to start working together again.
As a registered member of the BACP I am bound by and adhere to the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/. I attend regular clinical supervision, am registered with the ICO, hold professional indemnity insurance and an enhanced DBS check which covers me to work with both children and adults.