What to Expect from Counselling
For many people the idea of accessing therapy may seem daunting, they may worry about opening up to a stranger or be concerned that they may be judged. These concerns are common and many people feel the same. Your counsellor understands the fears you may have and will help you feel at ease, comfortable and relaxed. Your counsellor will not judge you and your sessions will be kept in the strictest of confidence.
For many people working with a therapist who is a complete stranger can have a liberating effect. Due to the confidential nature of your sessions you will be confident that your sessions will always remain between you and your counsellor and there is no chance of anyone will ever finding out what you have discussed or how you are feeling (unless of course you want to share it). As a professionally qualified and a senior accredited member of the NCPS. South Coast Counselling is ethically and professionally bound to uphold confidentiality.
The first step will be a consultation call where this is an opportunity for you to decide if therapy will be able to help you and what kind of therapy you might like. During this consultation you will be able to explore and discuss the reasons you are seeking support and what is causing you concern feel that South Coast Counselling can provide the support, you are seeking and would like to continue. You will not be required to commit to therapy at this stage. After you have made a decision and if you wish to continue, we will discuss the counselling agreement, times, location, presenting concerns and fees. This is the point we would ask you to complete some paperwork so you are informed on how we keep your data and information safe and so you know what to expect from us. This can be arranged to be sent over email or on the first arranged session.
Once this has been discussed we will arrange a date and time that is convenient to both. On our first session we will go into more dept on what has brought you to counselling and explore your personal goals. (For single session therapy, personal goals will be discussed at consultation stage)
The counselling sessions are usually contracted for weekly sessions; however, these can be arranged in clusters if you wish or time-limited to have a more structured goal to aim towards. After the relationship has been established fortnightly or even monthly session can be arranged. Throughout the sessions you will be able to explore what you wish to achieve, to lead discussions with free speech within a safe and personal space, set goals, identify ways to move forward, draw on coping mechanisms and strategies.
Counselling can be time-limited and focuses on clear outcomes. Whether ‘time-limited’ means six weeks or six months clearly depends on the particular set of difficulties you are facing and when you feel ready, we will work towards an ending. Ending therapy does not have to be absolute and you will always be able to come back if you require progress reviews or another short course of therapy.