Durham Counselling FAQs

It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous or anxious about your first counselling session. I aim to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for you. If you have any specific fears or concerns please feel free to share them with me so I can address them and help put your mind at ease.

To give you an idea of what to expect in your initial session, here’s a brief outline:

(1) Exploring your therapy background - I’ll inquire about any previous experiences you’ve had with therapy. This information can be valuable in tailoring your sessions to align with what you’ve felt helpful or unhelpful in the past. If you’re new to therapy, I’m flexible and open to adapting my approach to meet your unique needs.

(2) Practical matters - I will explain how I work and provide any other relevant information that might be helpful for you to know.

(3) Your questions - You will be given the opportunity to ask me any questions you have about the therapeutic process.

(4) Your therapy session - I’ll invite you to share a bit about what’s brought you to counselling. There’s no right or wrong way to answer this, and I’m here to offer guidance if you ever feel unsure or stuck. You have control over the pace and depth of the sessions. You can tell me as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. It’s important you feel in control of the session and that you move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

(5) Signposting if required - Towards the end of the session, if it seems that counselling may not be the most suitable service for your needs, we can discuss alternative options that may be available to you.

(6) Next steps - We’ll conclude by discussing whether to book another session or whether you need time to think it over. There’s absolutely no pressure or obligation to commit to additional appointments. At the end of the session, I will ask if you want to book another session or go away and think about it. There’s no pressure or obligation to book a further appointment.

Having an initial session might be a useful way to work out whether therapy is something that could help you.

If you have any questions or want to book an initial session, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Individuals seek therapy for a variety of reasons. The aim of counselling is to:

• Making sense of current or past events and how you’re feeling;

• Address issues that impact your well-being;

• Developing effective coping strategies and resistance;

• Reduce stress levels to attain a sense of calm;

• Improving self-confidence;

• Finding purpose and a sense of fulfilment;

• Personal growth and increasing self-awareness.

This list is not exhaustive, but it highlights some of the potential benefits that counselling offers.

Therapy isn’t exclusively for major issues. Some individuals seek counselling for a general sense of dissatisfaction, personal growth, or working towards a personal goal. Whereas, others may turn to therapy in response to a major life event or ongoing issues.

If you’re unsure whether counselling is right for you, an initial session would be an opportunity for you to explore this.

If you have any questions or would like to book an initial appointment please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me.

The term counselling typically refers to shorter-term work that focuses on a specific issue. On the other hand, Psychotherapy tends to be a longer-term engagement that offers a more in-depth exploration of your overall life experiences and their impact on your present life.

You’re welcome to contact me to discuss your preferences or ask any questions you may have about these terms. My goal is to ensure any collaboration aligns with your expectations.

Determining the exact number of sessions is a challenge as it varies for each individual. Everyone brings their distinct history and unique goals to counselling.

On average twelve sessions tend to be common. However, this is a rough estimate. Some people achieve what they need in less than this, whereas others benefit from longer-term work that could span a year or more.

I have extensive experience in providing both short-term and long-term therapy.

If you prefer an open-ended approach, we can continue as long as we mutually feel it’s of benefit. Alternatively, if you have a specific number of sessions in mind, we can work within that timeframe.

Many individuals find therapy a valuable resource for improving their overall well-being. It holds the potential to assist in managing difficult emotions, overcoming trauma and making difficult decisions.

Therapy is tailored to address specific issues and may help you to make sense of your emotions, develop coping strategies, increase self-awareness, boost confidence and guide you to better choices. However, as we’re all unique, responses to different types of assistance will vary. While therapy can be transformative for many, it’s important to note there are no guarantees it will resolve the issue you seek counselling for.

If you find you’re sessions are not meeting your expectations, I encourage you to communicate this. Together we can explore potential adjustments to make the sessions more effective for you or consider alternative services that might better suit your needs.

You have the freedom to end therapy at any point without obligation to continue if you feel it’s not benefiting you. The usual cancellation policy applies.

I welcome you to share your thoughts as we work together to ensure your therapeutic experience aligns with what you want and need.

This is an important and valid concern that I want to address openly.

Therapy often involves delving into topics that may be painful, embarrassing or traumatic. It may bring forth emotions and thoughts that have been lingering beneath the surface. While therapy isn’t an easy process, the ultimate goal is for you to gain personal benefit from it.

Research on successful therapy outcomes suggests that it‘s not uncommon for clients to experience a temporary worsening of their feelings before noticing an improvement. On the other hand, some individuals find it a relief to openly share their difficulties with someone who understands them and their challenges.

In essence, therapy does have the potential to heighten distressing thoughts and feelings. If you find yourself feeling worse please communicate this with me, there are some proactive steps we can take:

• Adjust the pace of the sessions to a level that feels more comfortable to you;

• Explore strategies we could employ in your sessions to make them more comfortable for you;

• Develop coping strategies you can employ outside of your session time;

• Discuss alternative options, such as a different approach to therapy or other well-being practices;

• Take a break from counselling with the option to return whenever you feel ready.

I want your sessions to be a constructive and supportive space, and your comfort is a priority. If you ever feel overwhelmed, we can address this together and adapt an approach that better suits your needs.

I operate from a private office in my residence in central Durham.

I offer appointments face-to-face, online (via MS Teams) or by telephone.

I provide private counselling sessions to individuals in Durham, the North East and nationally.

Research consistently indicates that online and telephone therapy can be equally effective as in-person sessions. The core principles remain intact regardless of the mode of access.

Opting for online or phone sessions can enhance accessibility, comfort, and a sense of safety in the therapeutic process. However, it’s important to acknowledge the potential challenges associated with these formats.

For insight into the pros and cons of online/telephone counselling, and if it aligns with your preferences, I invite you to explore the dedicated pages I have on these topics. They provide valuable information to help you make an informed decision about the most suitable way to access your sessions.

My fee for a 60-minute appointment is £60. This fee also applies to the initial session.

To streamline the process, fees are payable in advance of your session by bank transfer. Once you book your initial session, I’ll provide you with clear instructions on how to proceed with payment.

I understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances can arise, requiring you to reschedule or cancel your session. In such instances, I kindly request a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, if possible.

For cancellations of less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours notice, a fee of £30 will apply. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, or no-shows, will be charged at the full session rate of £60. This is because it’s rare that I’m able to fill slots at short notice. I hope you can appreciate the necessary for this policy.

If you find yourself experiencing suicidal thoughts, please know that your therapy sessions are a space to discuss and address these. However, it’s important to note that I don’t provide a crisis service, and support outside of the agreed appointment time is not available.

In the event of a crisis or you’re feeling actively suicidal. I urge you to:

• Reach out to someone you trust for support;

• Contact Samaritans on 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org;

• If you’re a student you can call Night Line;

• Call 111, 999 or visit your local A&E;

• Download the app called ‘Stay Alive’ It contains information for creating a safety plan, grounding techniques and information for keeping yourself safe.

Your well-being is a top priority, and these resources can provide immediate assistance during difficult moments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss them with me during our sessions.

I don’t offer reduced-fee sessions. If the cost of counselling exceeds your budget, I recommend reaching out to your GP to explore what services are available.  

The Mental Health Foundation has a list of organisations that offer free mental health assistance.

If you’ve suffered a bereavement, CRUSE provides support, and Blue Cross offer a Pet Bereavement Service.

You don’t need to bring anything specific with you. However, if you want to share something you’ve drawn or written, or if you have an object or a photograph that you believe would aid in exploring your concerns, please feel free to bring them along.

Additionally, if you have a comfort item like a teddy, blanket or fidget toy, you’re more than welcome to bring it to your sessions. Your comfort and preferences are important, and I want you to feel at ease with our time together.

If you have any questions about what to bring, don’t hesitate to discuss it with me.

Maintaining confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of your therapy sessions and it’s a commitment I take seriously.

Feeling safe in the therapeutic space involves knowing that what you share with me remains confidential. However, there are specific situations where confidentiality may need to be breached:

• If I believe you are in immediate risk of harm;

• If I believed someone else was at serious risk of harm;

• If required by law or in the public interest such as a court order or terrorism concerns;

A comprehensive list of exceptions will be included in the terms & conditions that will be sent prior to your first appointment.

While it’s uncommon, if there were ever a need to break confidentiality, I would make every effort to discuss it with you beforehand.

For a more detailed understanding of how your personal information is handled, stored and time retained, please refer to my privacy policy.