How I Work

Making Contact

Coming to counselling for the first time can be a very daunting prospect. For many people it is the first time they have spoken to anyone about a particular issue. I understand how frightening this can feel and realise how difficult it is to make that initial leap into the unknown.

Initial Session

The first session tends to be more of a consultation to attempt to help you decide if and how therapy can help you and whether you feel we will be able to work together. In this session (and at any other time) I am more than happy to answer any questions you have about my professional background, qualifications and the way I work. This decision is a two-way process and there may be rare occasions where I might recommend another therapist who could better suit your needs.

In the first session we will agree a shared contract together (but this does not commit you to continuing therapy with me). If you do decide to work with me, I like to encourage clients to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions to give the therapeutic relationship time to develop.

Identifying Goals

One important aspects of therapy is the need to identify goals that you wish to work towards. These goals may already be clear to you at the start of our work together. Alternatively they may arise out of the initial consultation session or subsequent sessions as we begin to explore different aspects of your life. From here we can begin to work collaboratively towards achieving these identified goals.

The Therapeutic Process

Once we have identified the goals that you wish to work towards, the real work of therapy can commence. During this period I will continue to work collaboratively with you to try and promote and facilitate the changes in your life that you desire. I will work with you in an integrative manner, whereby I will tailor my therapeutic approach to meet your specific needs and personality. 

I adhere to the BACP code of ethics.