What is Counselling?
One to one counselling is a relationship with a trained professional where you can explore your concerns in confidence and safety.
A session is a period of time dedicated to the issue you bring. It’s a time for you to look at what you feel and think about it, gain clarity and insight and find your own solutions. It can help you release painful experiences and get things moving again.
Counselling can help with distressing life circumstances such as bereavement, bullying and difficulties in relationships, as well as issues such as stress and worry, anxiety, depression and anger. It can support you with issues from the past such as sexual abuse and traumatic events as well as current questions around identity, sexuality and purpose.
The therapist is someone who works alongside you, whom you feel supported by and with whom you can build a trusting relationship. I might share my impressions of what is unfolding and help you explore something, but I won’t tell you what to do.
By talking about the problem, or giving your attention to the felt-sense of it, you bring more awareness to the situation you are in. This can help you to understand it more and get a handle on it. It can also make space for expression of parts of the self that may feel unrepresented or pushed away.
Counselling can support you to make the changes you want and gain a sense of creative choice over your life and the direction you are going in.
What happens in the first session?
Making the decision to contact a therapist is often a brave step. It is a time to meet the therapist and find out how you might work together and if you feel comfortable with them, with no obligation to continue.
The first session can last up to one hour and you can talk about the issues you are dealing with.
I will answer any questions you might bring, and discuss the professional nature of the relationship including things such as confidentiality, how often we might meet and what to do if you need to cancel a session.
If I feel I cannot work with you for any reason I will talk this over with you.
What kind of commitment do I need to make?
Counselling is a process you can take to any level or depth you choose. It can provide a space to talk about what is on your mind, and a few sessions might be enough to give you the support you need. It can also be a place where you can bring thoughts and feelings that you cannot share with anyone else, and this might need longer. It can involve an in depth exploration of your situation that can take commitment and has the potential to be life changing.
The number of sessions and frequency is up to you. Having 3 – 6 sessions once a week, followed by a review is the way many people like to work. Some people want a short-term arrangement, some like to have a session once a month and others meet every week long-term. We can discuss this in the first session and as we go along.
Where do the sessions take place?
Currently, due to Covid-19 sessions take place on zoom or by telephone.
When things return to normal we can work at the Wellness Space in Todmorden, in the Acorn Practice Space where there are comfortable chairs, cushions and room to move about in if needed, or outdoors. There is also the possibility of travelling to you if you are unable to leave your home.