Why go to a counsellor?
These people are talking about why they decided to use counselling to help them live more fulfilling lives. They are looking for new ways to tackle their problems.

“I was unhappy but I didn't know why. When I woke in the morning I would go through all the reasons why I should be content. I had a good job, a nice home, I had friends but it didn't seem to be enough”

“I seem to have got into a pattern that keeps repeating itself. It doesn't seem to make any difference how many times I try to change, I just find myself doing the same old things again”

Most of us want somebody to talk to, who listens and accepts us, especially when we are going through difficult times. Sometimes it is easier to talk to a stranger than to friends or relatives. Some people find it easier to talk to a therapist after a crisis has passed and to reflect on what happened and why. Others find it more helpful and supportive to see a counsellor during a crisis or particularly bad patch in their lives.

Therapy can make us more aware of patterns that we may be repeating in our lives and thereby more able to change, so easing the current distress or unhappiness.

The counsellor's role is to assist in ways that respect your values, personal resources and capacity for self-determination. They do this by building a special relationship based on mutual trust and respect. The counsellor may enable you to see more clearly other options.

Who is it for?
Counselling is for all sorts of people. It can help if you are working class, middle class, young, old, heterosexual, gay or lesbian, black or white.

People who have been sexually abused can find talking therapy particularly helpful if it is offered at a time when they feel ready for it.

Counselling may help you focus on a specific problem like bereavement, depression or a crisis or conflict. The counsellor will encourage you to talk about feelings that you have about yourself and your situation and enable you to find ways to tackle them.

Where would I start?
You will have your own reasons for wanting to begin. The kind of issues that might bring you to consider counselling are:-

• Conflict in the family
• Breakdown of relationships
• Compulsive behaviour
• Bereavement
• Panic attacks
• Loneliness
• Loss of creativity
• Life changes
• Issues around abuse

Would anyone else know about me?
Counsellors are expected to have supervision on aspects of their work. This is intended as a protection to clients as it provides some external checks on their work. Clients are discussed in a way that preserves their anonymity.

Risks of counselling.
It is not unusual to feel worse before you feel better. Focusing on your problems can make you feel worse and therapy can sometimes affect your relationships with your family and friends, in a negative as well as a positive way. During therapy you may experience strong feelings and you may feel vulnerable or angry. Or you may feel you are becoming dependent on your counsellor and have strong feelings of attachment to him or her. It is the job of the counsellor to understand these feelings and to help you to deal with them as they arise.

How long will I need to come for?
This varies and would be discussed with you. Some people find it helpful to come for a definite period of time, for example, eight to twelve weeks. Others prefer to work in a more open-ended way.

Ending therapy.
It is not a good idea to end counselling abruptly. If your counselling is on a time limited basis, your therapist should tell you in advance when your sessions will finish. If your agreement is open ended your therapist will discuss with you the timing to end therapy, so you can work towards it and have a positive ending. Therapy is for your benefit and you can stop it at any time if you feel it is not helping.

The appointment.
An initial appointment will be of 1 1/2 hours duration and following this weekly 50 minute appointments work best for you and us but we acknowledge that there may be exceptional circumstances when this may not be possible.

Price List
Initial consultation £45.00
Routine appointment £35.00