FAQs

1. How much do sessions cost?

One hour sessions cost £50.00 however a first half-hour session is free of charge with no obligation to continue. Please click here for full details of the cost of counselling including discounts.

2. How many sessions will I need?

It isn’t easy to say how many sessions you will need as this will depend on you, your issues and your present situation.  You might only want or need a few sessions to gain a fresh perspective on a particular issue or you may want a specified number of sessions, for example 6-8, so you know in advance how much it will cost you, in which case we can focus on a particular problem over these sessions.  You can then decide if you want to continue with more sessions to deal with further issues.  Some people need more sessions over a longer period of time to deal with deeper issues.  We can talk about this at our first meeting.

3. How will I know if counselling will help me?

Again, this is a difficult question to answer!  This is something we can discuss at our first meeting.  If you do enter into counselling I usually say that you will have an idea after about 3 or 4 sessions if it is beginning to help you.  You may begin to feel more hopeful, become more self-aware, notice positive changes or feel more  empowered.   I will always be honest with you and say if I think it will take longer or if I think something different may work better for you.  I will review our work after 6 sessions so we can see how we are doing.

4. Do I have to commit to a certain number of sessions?

No – you can book as you go and opt out at any time.

5. Where are the sessions held?

I have a private therapy room in Kinver High Street which is only used by me.  There is a discrete entrance at the rear of the building and no one will know that you are coming for counselling.  I have included photos of the room on this page so you can get an idea of what it looks like.

6. Are sessions confidential?

What we talk about is confidential, subject to the law.  I am legally obliged to disclose anything involving terrorism, drug trafficking or money laundering.  I would also break confidentiality if you tell me that anyone (Including you) is at risk of being seriously harmed.  I also discuss my case load with a counselling supervisor, but no names or identifying factors are revealed.  For children and young people under 18, I would tell parents or carers how we are working together but not what you tell me unless you give your permission to share this.

7. How will I know when I’m ready to finish? 

You will probably know when it is time for you to finish counselling and I will regularly check your progress with you to see how you are doing and to discuss a potential ending.  You are in control though and have the right to stop whenever you want.

8. Will my details be recorded on any health, employment or school records?

The answer to this is ‘No’, I am an independent counsellor and am not answerable to an employer, school, health service or the like.  The only exception to this would be as described in the point above, if I am seriously concerned for your well-being or if there is a risk of serious harm to anyone.  Also, you may wish for me to contact your employer, school, college or GP but I would not do so without your consent.  Otherwise, any notes I keep are for my own use and are kept securely in my room.  This is often a reason why people choose private counselling.

9. Counselling is expensive, I’m not sure I can afford it. 

Only you will know whether or not you can commit to paying for counselling.  Unfortunately, there is a lack of free counselling available on the NHS or through charities, both of which tend to have waiting lists and this is another reason why people choose to have private counselling.  You might want to consider it as an investment – how much value would you put on good mental health?  We all enjoy holidays, take-aways, a few beers or a bottle of wine, gym memberships or beauty treatments to make us feel good; perhaps you can look at counselling in the same way.

If you have a question which is not listed here, please do get in touch.  I aim to respond to any enquiry within 24 hours.