I currently work in independent practice offering face-to-face and telephone / online video counselling for people located in the United Kingdom only.
Face-to-face counselling takes place in my therapy room near River, Dover, Kent (CT15).
Online and telephone counselling gives you the opportunity to access counselling support at a time and in a place which is convenient to you. For online / telephone counselling you must ensure you can be in a private and confidential space with no interruptions for the full counselling session. You must also not be engaging in another activity e.g. driving, looking after children, work etc.
What is counselling?
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space for you to talk to a trained professional about your issues and concerns. As a counsellor I will help you explore your inner world of thoughts and emotions so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and your situation. I seek to provide a confidential, supportive, empathic, non-judgmental counselling relationship and environment. This process can encourage growth and lead to positive change in your life. In addition, we may explore the use of some specific tools or techniques to help support you or aid your growth. It is not the role of a counsellor to offer you advice or tell you what to do in your situation. I work collaboratively with clients to help you find your own solutions to situations.
Coming to counselling can take a great deal of courage. It may feel a risk to open up to a complete stranger. But it’s a risk that could make all the difference and help you to grow and make changes which are beneficial to you.
What sort of issues can I contact you about?
Counselling may be able to help with a wide range of issues. I have experience of working with people on a variety of issues including the following:
- Anxiety / stress
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Bereavement or loss
- Self-esteem / developing self-compassion
- Domestic abuse
- Developing self-awareness and self-acceptance
- Loneliness
- Existential or spiritual issues
- Childlessness
- Anger
- Shame
- Destructive relationship patterns
- Troubling past events and trauma
- Gender and sexuality
Not all types of issues can be resolved through online counselling and I will advise you if face-to-face counselling, or some other form of support might be more suitable for you. In addition If I do not feel I can offer you the help that you need, or you don’t feel I’m the right fit for you, I will try to recommend an alternative service/therapist.
I am not trained to provide counselling to those under the age of 18. If this applies to you, I can help with information on referral to other agencies providing counselling services which is specifically directed to a younger age group.
How I work
As a counsellor I offer what is known as integrative counselling (drawing on a mixture of person-centred, psychodynamic, Cognitive behavioural and transactional analysis ideas). Research shows that the quality of the relationship we build in counselling is important and therefore I work relationally, drawing on different counselling theories to make the counselling relationship beneficial for you. The work of counselling can encompass different things:
- It might involve considering what you are thinking, feeling, and doing (or not doing), and how thoughts, emotions and behaviour all interact together.
- It might involve helping you find internal resources to make any changes that you have decided on.
- It might involve an exploration of how your past or things outside of your awareness impact your present problems.
- It might involve exploring patterns in how you relate to others or myself as the counsellor.
What happens in the first session?
I offer an introductory counselling session with no commitment to more sessions by yourself. In this introductory session we will talk about what has brought you to counselling and what your expectations are for what you want out of counselling. We will then confirm that I am the best fit counsellor for you. If we mutually agree to continue I will initially offer you a further 8 sessions. Additional sessions after this may be agreed by mutual decision.
We will agree an ‘appointment time’. This is the time we will agree to meet either face-to-face, on Zoom or the telephone. Sessions will be offered on a weekly basis on the same day and time. Appointments will last 50 minutes. Please note: If for any reason you are late your session will finish at the appointed time and will not be extended but full payment will be required.
How long does counselling take?
Some people they may only need short term therapy or only want to work on a specific issue and eight sessions may be enough. Other people have more deep rooted issues which may have stemmed from childhood and will benefit from a longer and deeper exploration. We can discuss this when you begin your counselling journey.
Crisis support
Counselling cannot provide an emergency service for clients. In the event of an emergency arising whilst we are engaged in our work or if you were experiencing suicidal thoughts, I would discuss with you the appropriate additional support that you could access during this period.
If you found yourself in a major crisis and were considering serious self-harm it would be vital to get immediate help. This could include contacting your GP, or your nearest accident and emergency service (A & E). For those working on the telephone or online I would also ask you to provide an emergency contact whom I could contact in a crisis situation to get you help if needed.
You could also call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (email emergency support).