What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session
The therapeutic relationship underpins everything that will happen in therapy, and as a client, you need to feel safe, accepted and heard in that first session. Remember that there is no ‘right answer’ to how a session should go, no expectation of how much will be shared, and there is no judgement of how a client presents or behaves. You can set the pace, share what feels appropriate and take time to allow the trust to build between us. Often, a client will have a complex history of experience, but that may feel too much as a starting point. So, beginning with the ‘here and now’- how you are being impacted in your life currently – can also be a useful way to ease into what you have been experiencing. Similarly, thinking about what you would like to be different also helps to uncover what some of your current issues or hurdles are in your life.
Counselling Session Fees:
Individual counselling sessions cost £60.00 and last 1 hour. Concession fees are available for students or low-income earners.
Payment:
Payment is due after each appointment by cash or via bank transfer.
Online/Telephone Counselling Sessions:
If you’ve booked an online or telephone session, you will receive a link to your session each week via email and a reminder the day before.
Availability:
Monday – Friday
9.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday
9.00am – 1.00pm
Cancellation:
Please allow for 24 hours’ notice in advance of your session.
My location
In-person counselling sessions available at my private practice garden room in Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 6RE. Tranquil and secluded therapy room with parking spaces available on site. Close to the surrounding areas of Morton, Raffles, Dalston, Newby West, Orton Grange and Belle View
Frequently Asked Questions
Counselling works best when you recognise that you’re struggling and can no longer continue as you are, and you want to make changes in your life but don’t know how. Sometimes, it may feel almost impossible to know what these changes should be. Often, the insights that arise are created during sessions through developing deep discussions in our sessions. We focus on you as an individual, working with your agenda, allowing you to explore difficult emotions to bring about change and healing.
This is entirely up to you, and we will discuss this during our initial consultation. Sometimes, starting with six sessions can be beneficial, and then we can review whether you would like to continue or terminate them. Short-term counselling can be helpful during an immediate crisis to support you through it. Long-term counselling allows for a deeper exploration of your struggles, helping you understand how they affect you and where they stem from.
We can start with weekly sessions and then review. We can also later move to fortnightly or every three weeks, depending on the situation and what would benefit you. Remember, this is your decision. We will look at ways to help you move forward in your life, making the transition as safe and comfortable as possible.
Often, you will know when your counselling is nearing its end. You will feel more confident and at peace within yourself, and the memories will not cause you as much pain. You will be able to reflect on them in a way that no longer distresses you. We will discuss how you would like to conclude the counselling process. We can have a final review a few weeks after counselling ends to see how you have been coping and how you’ve incorporated these changes into your daily life.
Yes. Confidentiality is the basis for a successful therapeutic relationship. It is what makes you, the client, trust us and feel safe to open up and be honest. Counselling is confidential, providing a safe, private space to discuss personal matters without fear of disclosure. However, this confidentiality is not absolute. Therapists must breach confidentiality if there is a legal requirement (court order) or to prevent serious, immediate harm to you or others.
The main difference between CBT and person-centred therapy is their approaches to addressing psychological challenges. CBT focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviours to alleviate specific symptoms, while person-centred therapy emphasises creating a supportive environment for self-exploration and personal growth.
Counselling offers numerous benefits, particularly if you’re seeking to enhance self-understanding and personal growth. Some of the key benefits include improved self-esteem as you gain a clearer understanding of your worth and capabilities. Enhanced Self-Compassion: You develop a kinder, more compassionate view of yourself. Greater Emotional Resilience by reconnecting with your core values and strengths, you build resilience against life’s challenges and stressors. Deeper Relationships, as you become more attuned to your own needs and desires, you often find that your relationships with others become more authentic and fulfilling.
It merges unconditional positive regard with a deep understanding of the autonomic nervous system to foster healing. I create a safe, non-judgmental space to help you recognise your nervous system states (safety, fight/flight, freeze) and move toward regulation and reconnection. I combine body-based awareness with breathing exercises to help you manage your own nervous system.
Get in touch
Step 1: Leave a telephone message, text or message via email. I will arrange a convenient time to meet in person, online or via telephone. We then have a FREE 10-minute informal conversation.
Step 2: If you feel comfortable proceeding further, we can book an initial 30-minute consultation for £20.00.
Step 3: If we both feel we are a ‘good fit’ to continue, we can book your first full counselling session, which lasts 60 minutes, and discuss the contract and your goals for therapy. We then book each new session at the end of each appointment. After six sessions, we review your progress.
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