FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I give advice?
No. When you feel uncertain, scared or lost, Psychotherapeutic Counselling can be used as a way of putting things into perspective and opening you up to resources and options which you may not have realised were available to you.
FRESH COUNSELLING
HELEN TENNANT P.G.DIP(INT), P.G.CERT(COUNS), M.B.A.C.P (REG)
*Are you nervous or concerned about starting therapy or even just enquiring about it? You are not on your own!
*Before you decide whether or not to begin counselling you will probably have lots of questions. *Please find below the type of things that I am frequently asked that might help make your decision easier.
*If you are still uncertain, please contact me for a confidential, no-obligations chat for you and I to decide whether or not I can help. Why not give it a try?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Is what I say confidential?
Yes. What is discussed between us will remain confidential within the counselling setting. However, there are limits to this confidentiality. As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I adhere to their professional code of ethics, conduct and professional practice.
It is essential that all counselling psychotherapists receive supervision. During this time I may discuss the content of our sessions, although I will not mention your name, or any other factors that could leave you identifiable. There are other situations that merit disclosure which I will outline when we discuss your therapy needs.
What happens during the first session?
The first appointment we make will be an assessment session during which time you will have the opportunity to discuss your current situation and needs and what has prompted you to seek psychotherapeutic counselling. This will primarily help us to explore whether we can work together to help you reach the outcome you are aiming for.
We will also decide on the best treatment plan, including the number and frequency of sessions and therapeutic approach for you to follow.
It is also an opportunity for us to get to know each other a little, talk about what you would like to focus on and discover whether we feel that we can work together.
How long will Ongoing Counselling take?
While most people start to feel better after their first counselling session, they do not usually walk away with all the answers. It is important to remember that depending on the nature and seriousness of the problem, it may take some time, effort and patience to resolve it.
How long does a session last?
Face to Face sessions usually last for 60 minutes. However, exceptions to this can be discussed.
What are your therapy charges?
I offer very competitive and affordable therapy charges.
They are;
- Individual Face to Face - £60.00 per session;
- Trainee Counsellor rates - Please contact me to discuss;
- Couples Face to Face - £75.00 per session.
Do you always charge for therapy?
Yes. The services and experience I offer warrant remuneration. However, I do offer concessions for clients in difficult circumstances or trainee counsellors, although these concessions are limited, so please contact me to discuss. My details are on my contact page.
How do I book a session?
When you contact me to arrange your first psychotherapeutic counselling session, I will;
- Explain all you need to know about how we can work together;
- Answer any questions you might have;
- Agree a day and session time with you;
- Send or give you a contract;
- Explain payment methods.
Is there a cancellation policy?
I usually require 24 hours notice of any cancellations, otherwise full fee will be required. Full fee is also required in the case of non attendance without previous notice.
Where possible, I will try to re-arrange your appointment so that you can be seen within the same week.