FAQs

What is Counselling?
Counselling is about exploring any worries, anxieties, problems or feelings that you feel are interfering in your everyday life. These issues may be in the here and now or in the past. It is an opportunity to be heard, a place for self discovery, and to be supported in reaching your own decisions and conclusions.

Is it confidential?
Counselling is a confidential process, so if you refer yourself no one else need know you are attending.

Is my problem ‘important’ enough to take to counselling?
No problem is too big or too small to take to counselling – if it is bothering you then it is worth sharing.

What kind of things do people talk about?
The counsellors are used to hearing about all kinds of issues – nothing is taboo. Typically, we might deal with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, group dynamics, bereavement, suicidal feelings, sexual identity, abuse issues, eating disorders, mental health issues, problems with self image.

What is the difference between Counselling and psychotherapy?
Though most people will be aware of the term 'counselling', you may have come across the term 'psychotherapy' and differentiating between these terms is useful when understanding which therapy will be best suited to you. Both psychotherapy and counselling involve talking to someone who is trained to listen and there is no definitive distinction between counselling and psychotherapy. However, in general, counselling is a talking therapy which allows individuals to deal with specific life issues, whereas psychotherapy is used to deal with 'deeper' issues, most commonly with those whose past experiences are still causing them distress. It may be helpful to think of counselling and psychotherapy as being at either ends of a scale. At one end would be brief counselling to deal with a specific problem; at the other end would be intense psychotherapy to deal with deep rooted problems.

How many sessions will I need?
Everyone has different needs, so there are no hard and fast rules. Everyone has an initial session with either of the core counsellors, and some people find that one session is enough. If you need longer you can negotiate this with your counsellor. Most people find that between four and ten sessions meets their needs.

Are you flexible with your appointment times?
Please feel free to make an appointment,  Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, we will do our best to accommodate you after 6pm, so please call and speak to one of our counsellors for more information.