Your Questions answered on Counselling in Stockport

What professional counselling qualifications do you have and are you registered with the BACP?
I have attained the  Diploma in Counselling and I am a registered counsellor with the British Association of Counselling and Physiotherapy (BACP). I am currently reading Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to Degree level at Salford University.

How long will I require counselling for?
This will depend on your individual needs.  Some people find that they only need a few sessions whilst other people value more ongoing support and the opportunity to look in more depth at their lives, both past and present.  We will review our work regularly to see if further sessions are needed and agree together about what is best.

Is counselling confidential?
Confidentiality lies at the heart of counselling and is essential for it to work.  It is one of the important differences between counselling and other kinds of helping relationships.  Confidentiality enables a level of trust to become established which is the foundation for exploring issues and expressing feelings.
How much will counselling sessions cost?
My hourly rate is £30 per hour session. Concessions available, please enquire.
How long is each counselling session?
Each session lasts for 60 minutes.

What if I cancel a counselling session?
If you cannot make an appointment please let me know in advance so I can rearrange my appointments.

Will a counsellor tell me what to do?
No, the counsellor will work with you to enable you to explore possibilities and to make your own choices.  Counselling offers support and encouragement during this process.

How do I get started with counselling?
After your initial contact (by phone or E mail), we agree to meet for an assessment session. This is an opportunity for you to tell me more about yourself and your current difficulties, and to check if you feel comfortable with me. It is also a chance for me to check that I am able to offer you the help that you need. If at the end of this, we are both happy to proceed, we can arrange further sessions, or you can take time to think about things further. You are under no obligation to continue. If at this point I do not think I have the skills needed to help you, then I will talk with you about where you might go next.

How often will I need to attend counselling sessions?
Initially I like to see people once a week. This is an important requirement for building the solid working relationship usually needed to help people explore and work through most presenting issues. At a later point we may negotiate less frequent meetings, depending on how things are going.

How many counselling sessions will I need?
This is not something we can predict at the outset. Essentially, we will work for as long as is necessary for you to resolve the issues you came with. However this is mutually negotiable, and so, we will review our work regularly to check that you are receiving the therapy that is right for you. Of course, you are free to end at any stage.

What happens when I want to stop counselling?
We will negotiate an ending period, which, depending on the length of time you have been attending and your requirements, may be anything from one session to a few months. I usually suggest that we end our work face to face in a session though, rather than over the phone or email. This closes our work cleanly rather than leaving any loose ends, and gives you a chance to face any difficulties surfacing at this stage.

Where are you located?
I run my practice from my consultation room at Stockport, South Manchester, providing a place of safety, comfort and privacy. It is easy to find with adequate parking and within easy access of rail and major bus routes.