Frequently Asked Questions

Only you can really answer that. After all you are the expert in you. Therapy only works if you are willing to put in the work that is needed to engage with the therapeutic process. As a guide people tend to say things like, I feel lost, stuck or just not know what to do. If you are unsure let’s have a chat.

Unless you are working with a couple’s therapist then I would suggest only you and me are in the therapy room together. Feel free to bring someone along with you to the location, however due to confidentiality and engaging with the counselling process the work really needs to be done by you, alone. I totally appreciate that the first session usually is the one you get most anxious over, the fear of the unknown. It is my job to make sure the therapy room feels like a safe space for you.

I cannot give you that guarantee, I really wish I could. There are so many factors which contribute to the success of counselling and how much it will help you. You need to be ready for it and willing to do the work with me as your counsellor. There needs to be a connection with your counsellor. The timing of counselling needs to be right. The type of counselling needs to suit your needs. The counsellor needs to have the skills to suit your needs. What I can say is it may help you feel better if all those factors are in place. I will tell you if I don’t have the skill set to support you and we can discuss your future having counselling.

First of all we will need to do an assessment together. This will be a kind of fact finding session. A bit of background about you and why you feel counselling is needed.
Then in the first counselling session we will discuss the contract, this may sounds official and in part it is, but it’s about how we will work together, your rights, my obligations, confidentiality and GDPR along with a bit of admin about keeping appointments, costs etc.
Sessions after that will all be down to you. Your sessions are there for you to talk about and explore whatever you wish to. I will challenge your thoughts, ask questions and listen to you.
Counselling is not just having a chat, I am not there to give instructions. I am there to walk along side of you while you discuss what you want to. We may explore other perspectives, we may look at why you feel what you feel. We may discuss your history and realtionships. Every person is individual so I cannot say for sure what will happen in each session.

The sessions are yours, you can deal with whatever you wish to unpack and explore. I am bound by an ethical framework through BACP so I will work with you within my capabilities and competences. If I cannot support you I will help you find an alternative.

That can vary depending on what you want from counselling, I charge an hourly rate. Currently my charges are £45. I do offer a discount for all NHS workers and Service men and women (ID will be required).

Each session will last an hour. How many you need will depend on the progress we make during your sessions. We can discuss that at each session or book a block if you prefer.

At the first session we will talk more in detail about confidentiality. Everything you discuss in our sessions will remain confidential, and any records kept will be compliant with GDPR. You can ask for a copy of the notes at any time, using our process. You will need to give permission to disclose any information if any other professional asks for it. However there are a few occasions which are exempt from this, we will discuss this at your first session.

Whilst you are working with Bee-coming, HOPE you will be with me. If I am not able to assist you then you may need to be referred to another service or practitioner.

Absolutely, if you feel the need to cry then it is perfectly ok to do so. It is normal to have waves of emotion when you are discussing difficult or intimate concerns. For some that will be crying, some made show anger or frustrations. I will offer you a safe space with a non-judgemental approach for you to be present.

I do keep notes. You may not see me write them as I want to be totally present with you in the therapy room, however I do take some time to write brief notes to keep a record and act as a prompt for any interventions or resources I need to arrange for you for example.

Anything you want to. These sessions are yours. At the beginning of counselling we may look at what you want to achieve from the sessions and if you want to meet those goals you will need to talk about the issues bothering you. I will not force you to explore anything you do not want to. However I will encourage you to be as open as possibly. You own the outcomes of your sessions.

Until we start working together we will not know that. You have got to feel that connection and safe space to be able to talk. That’s why I offer the first session free to see if you sense that. I also do periodical reviews and check-ins during our work together to see if we have created a therapeutic relationship which supports you.

At the moment I have rooms in a number of locations. Parking is available and in most cases is free. Give me a call and we can see which area suits you best. I am also able to offer phone and zoom counselling sessions, or walking therapy in a local park. I am based in the North West of England.

If I do not answer straight away, it may mean I am working with clients. However I endeavour to contact you with 48 hours of your initial contact. If you need support sooner please check out our additional support list on this website for contact details.

This is discussed when we talk about confidentiality, you don’t have to tell anyone that you are seeking counselling if you do not want to. I am bound by confidentiality and will not disclose any details.

It would be really helpful to have a fixed day and time if you can make it, however I appreciate some people may work shifts or other commitments. Life can take over sometimes. Together we can make counselling work for you. Let’s have a chat and see what we can do together. I do work evenings and weekends.

This is discussed in more detail during our contracting session. As I work on a diary system as much notice as possible will be given if I need to cancel any appointments and I would expect the same from you. If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, there will be a charge of £15.00.

There are two types of endings. Planned and Unplanned.
Planned Endings – finishing counselling will be discussed with you during your sessions and together we will work out when you feel best to end your sessions. We will work together to agree that point, but these are your sessions and it’s your therapy.
Unplanned Endings – Sometimes things can take over and life events can dictate when you end things. If you do not cancel any prearranged appointments then a charge may still be in place. (See my cancellation policy)
The door is always open, you can come back if you finish your therapy and feel you need further support.