What is the BACP?

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is a leading professional body that establishes and upholds high standards for the practice of counselling and psychotherapy in the United Kingdom. BACP provides accreditation, training, and ongoing support to ensure that practitioners offer ethical, professional care. As a member of BACP, I follow their Ethical Framework for Good Practice, a set of guidelines designed to ensure responsible, compassionate, and ethical practice with clients. This framework promotes ongoing professional development, supports ethical decision-making, and reinforces the importance of maintaining trust and integrity in therapeutic relationships.

For more information, please refer to the full BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice.

What happens during the first session?

Before we begin working together, I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation over the phone. This gives us the opportunity to discuss your needs, explore an appropriate approach, and for you to ask any questions about me, my way of working, and the counselling process. It will help you determine if I’m the right therapist for you. After our initial conversation, if you feel ready to proceed, we can arrange weekly sessions at a time that suits both of us. There’s no obligation to commit to a session after the call, and I encourage you to take a couple of days to think about your decision to ensure it feels right for you.

In our first session, we will go through our working agreement and explore more deeply what you would like to work on.

How many sessions will I need?

Counselling is a unique process for each client, and there is no set timeframe that applies to everyone I work with. What I offer are both short-term and long-term counselling options, tailored to your current needs. You may be seeking support to address a specific issue or challenge, or you might be interested in deeper personal exploration. The length and focus of our work will depend on what you hope to achieve from counselling. Throughout our sessions, we will hold regular reviews to reflect on how you feel about the process and the therapeutic relationship, ensuring that you are receiving the support you need.

How long are the sessions?

Regular sessions last for 50 minutes and you would need to be available for these sessions on the same day and time each week.

What if I need to cancel my session?

If you wish to cancel an appointment, please give me a minimum of at least 48 hours notice, otherwise the full cost of the session will be payable. Please see the T & Cs for more information.

Do you offer face to face counselling?

Currently, I offer counselling sessions remotely, either via telephone or online. These can be conducted through Skype or Google Meet. For you to get the most out of the session, I ask that you be in a quiet, safe, and undisturbed space. Please ensure your device is fully charged, and that you’re seated in a comfortable, quiet environment. To maintain your privacy, it may also help to consider what will be on show in a video call and if this feels comfortable for me to see this (sometimes people choose to move photos for example).

Can I contact you outside our session times in an emergency?

I cannot offer crisis or emergency support but if you're feeling suicidal or you are concerned about someone else, then please contact your GP, call 999, go to your local A&E, or call the Samaritans on 116 123. You can also call Mind on 0300 123 3393 or you can text them on 86463.