F.A.Q'S

I am a Registered Accredited Counsellor and in accordance with ethical guideIines, I have regularly monthly supervision and attend a minimum of 25 hours per year of continuous professional development to keep me up to date with current issues.

I hold an enhanced DBS and have Public Liability Insurance.

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and if we work together, I will send you a copy of my Privacy Policy that explains how I use your personal information.

The heart of counselling is that you are given a safe space to talk, and I will ensure you are fully heard, with respect, validation, value and confidentiality. The sessions will be led by whatever you want to bring and we can go as slow or as fast as you like.

I am an 'integrative psychodynamic' counsellor.
This means that I have a number of tools in my toolbox to use depending on what you bring to the sessions and what you want to achieve, and I work in a creative way with each individual client.

I am trained in TA (transactional analysis) and use other developmental models that will help us explore how your childhood experiences impact you into adulthood.

I am also familiar with the counselling models of Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy and Gerard Egan which provide a structured and more solution-focussed focus to help you plan how to move towards your preferred future.

The 'television' version of confidentiality is that " I can say anything and you can't tell anyone!"  That is almost true, but not quite accurate.

There are some exceptions to that confidentiality:

• If I think that you are at risk of harming yourself, or someone else, I have a duty of care to safeguard, and that might mean contacting your GP or next of kin.                         
• If you tell me that you are involved in illegal activities such as money laundering, terrorism, drug/people trafficking, treason or child endangerment (Children Act 1989), by law I have to inform the police.                                                                         
• I keep brief notes from our sessions.  These are anonymised and kept under lock and key, but I have to release them if subpoenaed by law.
• I have regular monthly supervision where I receive support and guidance in my counselling.  This is done anonymously, without revealing identities.
• We will discuss all of this at your first session.