Frequently asked questions

I am an ‘Integrative Counsellor’ which means that I have several different Counselling approaches that I work with. How we work together will depend on the range of issues that you want to explore. The most important thing is that we develop a good rapport. You need to know that you can trust me with whatever sensitive and private issues you might bring.

Being listened to by a Counsellor is very different than being listened to by a friend. You might be concerned that a friend would either judge you for what you are saying, want to turn the conversation around to themselves or might be inclined to give advice. I listen with empathy to try to get into your world with you and listen without judgment. Never underestimate the power of someone coming alongside you.

I can offer CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) if it is relevant to the specific issues you want to look at. CBT can be useful for understanding that our thoughts are linked to our feelings and behaviours. For example, CBT might be useful for working with some aspects of anxiety or tackling how our thought patterns can sabotage us.

If you want to be a bit creative, I use various tools and techniques that can be helpful in exploring issues a bit further. For example, using images and objects, journalling or letter writing.

It’s important to understand that I do not offer a ‘blue light’ emergency service, and am therefore only contactable within limited office hours. Session times are booked and planned in advance. If you are at a stage in your life where you think you need more urgent and frequent help, you might require a different type of support right now.

If you are experiencing severe depressive symptoms and/or suicidal thoughts, please discuss this with your doctor immediately. The kind of Counselling I offer is not suitable for supporting anyone in crisis or with severe Postnatal Depression or any psychotic illness.

There are pros and cons of each approach, so it really is up to you how you decide to work. I charge the same fee whichever approach you prefer.

Counselling via Zoom

Benefits of working online via Zoom video call:

• You can create a comfortable and private space in your own home from which to attend therapy.
• You may find it easy to talk, focus and express yourself in your own environment.
• Avoiding travel and parking for an appointment can alleviate stress cost.
• For people with disabilities or certain anxieties, working online is more accessible.
• You won’t be ‘seen’ going to therapy if privacy is important to you.
• We may be able to be more flexible about scheduling as there will not be an issue regarding room availability.
• During concerns of Covid19 working remotely prevents the spread of infection.
• Research shows that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy.
• I can work with clients who are based anywhere in the UK, as you don’t need to travel to meet in person.

Challenges of working online include:

• Internet connection difficulties or problems with older technology.
• It is important that you have a private space at home where you will not be disturbed or overheard by anyone. This can sometimes be a challenge in family life.
• Given that only the top half of our bodies will be visible, we will have to use more verbal explanations as a result.
• If you work using a screen all day, it may be demanding to have another online activity.
• If you are interested in exploring the more creative aspects of therapy that might include working with objects or art for example, this can sometimes be a bit more limited online. Having said that,  often with some lateral thinking we can find ways around some of these challenges.
• Whilst I follow best practice security measures, when using 3rd party applications there is always a very low risk of a breach of security.

Counselling Face to Face

Benefits of working face to face

• Being out and meeting someone in person can be a rich experience if you do not have many social connections
• Some clients like the energetic connection that meeting in person can bring
• Some clients need body language and vocal tone to effectively communicate with a therapist
• Meeting face to face is what feels more familiar
• No technology difficulties
• A wider range of creative approaches can be used

Challenges of working face to face

• For those with physical disabilities, social anxieties or practical constraints, sometimes meeting outside of your own home is difficult
• More time is needed to travel to the venue
• I can only meet with clients who are local to my area in Totnes, Devon
• You might need to wait longer before starting therapy as a room booking has to be made (I don’t have my own permanent room currently as so many clients are now using Zoom for their Counselling).

Counselling on the Telephone

I am also happy to run Counselling sessions on the telephone if you prefer.

Benefits of working on the telephone

• The technology is familiar
• A mobile phone is portable so it is possible to move away from interruptions
• You are not actually, physically, faced with a therapist. This may be better for clients who feel particularly anxious about having counselling.
• Telephone counselling allows the client to remain as anonymous as they choose to be.
• Useful for clients who do not have access to transport or perhaps live in a remote location.
• For some clients, not seeing the Counsellor face-to-face allows makes it easier to open up, which can lead to deeper engagement

Challenges of working on the telephone

• Telephone reception can be variable and unreliable
• The client and Counsellor can only hear each other, so sometimes non-verbal communication is harder to pick up.
• When the Counsellor allows silences for the client to process their thoughts, it can feel strange on the phone as we are not used to having gaps in conversation usually on the phone.
• For some people, it is important to get out of the house to have enough privacy for Counselling
• Clients have variable phone contracts and sometimes calls are costly. Therefore I generally make the phone call to you, to avoid any problems with high charges.

People often ask me if I work with people who aren’t Parents or Carers – and yes, I am very happy to and I often do. I always have an initial chat on the phone before taking on new clients, so we can make sure that my skill set matches what you’re wanting to look at.

Whilst the majority of my clients are Carers (male or female) or Parents, I enjoy the new perspectives that each client brings. My Integrative Counselling approach means that I am comfortable working with a broad spectrum of issues that life can throw up.

I also have a special interest in working with people who are going through the experience of having a Transplant. It might be that you are supporting a family member through the process, or you may be having treatment or needing a transplant yourself.

This can vary a lot from client to client, depending on the issues that you bring. Some people like to have a long term working relationship, and they view Counselling as a regular investment in their health like you might think of a gym membership. Having a regular weekly slot can really help to build momentum and tackle issues in a timely manner as they arise.

Others come to explore a specific issue so may only require a few sessions.

I generally suggest starting with an initial 6 sessions or so. This way we can build a rapport, and then review how helpful you are finding it and how you’d like to continue.

What you say in Counselling is between us. However, I might be required to share information in certain limited circumstances, which we will discuss in our first meeting. For example, this could be to do with either legal or ethical obligations.

For more details please see my Privacy Notice.

You can drop me a message on the contact form, or email me at [email protected] or call 07305 863661. I will then get back in touch with you, using the same method of communication that you used to contact me, unless you specify otherwise. Please note that it is usually necessary to leave a message as I am often in client sessions.

We will organise a mutually convenient time for a free 10-minute introductory phone call. This way we will be able to establish what you are looking for from Counselling, and check out whether it looks like I might be the right Counsellor for you.

Then we will book in our first session. My what to expect page explains in more detail about how the first Counselling Session works.

I generally see clients on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the daytime or early evening. Please drop me a message so we can get the ball rolling and have an initial conversation.

I offer appointments in the daytime during school hours and limited early evening sessions.