Who am I?

I am a professionally-qualified counsellor who holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Strathclyde's Counselling Unit, a highly respected centre for person-centred counselling training, development and research.  I counsel from a person-centred perspective.

What is person-centred counselling?

Not all counselling is the same.  There are many different approaches to counselling and psychotherapy.  Person-centred therapy - the approach I use - offers a secure, welcoming and confidential environment for you to explore personal issues or feelings which may be causing you difficulty. 

The counsellor’s role is to offer you understanding and acceptance while working alongside you in an equal partnership, the aim of which is to allow you to find your own way forward.  This may come about through you getting to know yourself or your problems better, thereby allowing yourself to have greater choice in how you are living your life.  It provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your thoughts, feelings or behaviour with the help of an independent, supportive individual who may offer insights or responses to the material you are presenting that could help you clarify things. 

This counselling will not give you instructions or advice on how to live your life.  It offers something rarer and more powerful – a space to be valued as you are, and where you can begin to find your way towards how you want to be.

(For more information, please see my website section: Questions about counselling.)

 

Cost and duration of sessions

 

A standard counselling session lasts for about 50 - 60 minutes.  I charge £35 per session.

 

Introductory sessions

 

It is advisable to have an introductory session to allow client and counsellor to meet for the first time to see if they both feel they can work productively together.  At this session, the counsellor would discuss with you, the client, your aims in entering into counselling and any expectations you may have. Counsellor and client would have the opportunity to see if each felt they had a suitable rapport with the other, to enable both to embark on the sort of close working relationship required in counselling.

The introductory session is also a chance for you to get to know a little more about your counsellor as a professional, or to ask any questions you may have about the counselling process.  Your counsellor will cover the scope and limits of confidentiality at the first session.

Practicalities such as preferred time and frequency of sessions can also be discussed at this first meeting.

 

(Updated 07/08/2008)