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Frequently Asked Questions

How much are your fees?
I understand how important it is for you to make the right choice when finding a counsellor. Therefore I offer to meet with you at a reduced rate of £20 for the first session. This session lasts for an hour. You will be able to talk about what you would like to look at in counselling and find out more about what I can offer to you. After this session you can make the decision about whether to proceed with the counselling.

Each session thereafter costs £40 and also lasts for an hour.

I offer 2 concession sessions a week at £30 for students and those on a low income. Please ask me for further details on this when you contact me. If there is no place available I am very happy to add you to a waiting list.

I ask for payment in advance before the first session via bank transfer before I can book you in.

Where is your counselling practice?

I work in a downstairs room, in a private residence in Plympton. I also offer online video, telephone and text-based counselling sessions.

 

How long are the sessions?
Each session lasts for an hour.
How often do I need to attend?
The ideal frequency for counselling sessions is on a weekly basis. I usually try to give each client the same appointment time each week.
When do you offer sessions?

I usually offer sessions on Wednesdays  on Thursdays. With online/telephone/text-based counselling I can sometimes offer sessions at other times. I don’t currently offer weekend sessions. Due to other work commitments, I might very rarely need to alter the day that I see you on, but I will give you an appointment on a day and time that suits you and also give you a few weeks notice.

How long will I need to see you for?
This will depend on what you wanting to look at and what you are hoping to gain from counselling. I would consider approximately 6-12 sessions being short-term counselling. This amount of sessions could be helpful for looking at current life situations and general difficulties with stress. The longer- term work can last as long as it is required by you. An example of this would be working on self-esteem and exploring childhood experiences and family circumstances. You do not have to agree to come to a certain number of sessions at the beginning. You can decide as you go along what you need and when you feel ready to end counselling.
What can I talk about in a session?
You can talk about anything you want to such as what is going on in your current life, things which might have happened in your past or concerns that you might have for your future. You can talk about your thoughts, emotions, worries, fears, relationships, and past or current events or situations which you are struggling to cope with.
What happens at the first therapy session?

The first session is an initial consultation session. It  is a chance for us to meet and start to get an idea of what it will be like to work together. You will have the opportunity to talk about what is bringing you to counselling. I will explain a bit more about how I work and there will be an opportunity to ask any questions. You can then decide whether you would like to carry on with further sessions.

How can talking help me?
Very often we have thoughts swirling around in our minds and it can be difficult to make sense of them. With counselling these thoughts can be spoken out loud and explored in a safe, accepting environment. This can enable you to gain insights and develop a greater understanding of what is going on in your life as well as how it is impacting you as an individual.
Will you tell anyone what I say?

I offer you a place where you can speak freely and confidentially. There are some legal limits to that confidentiality and if there is any serious risk to your safety or the safety of someone you know, I would need to discuss with you about contacting other services.

How do I get the most out of counselling?
There is no specific formula as such but there are certain things which can help you to get the best out of your counselling. Being committed to attending sessions regularly will be beneficial to you. Also, clients who tend to go away and reflect on the session and maybe even think about things or work on things discussed during the session, seem to gain more from counselling.

Finally, feedback on how helpful the sessions are will help me to gauge how the work is going and tailor the sessions to your individual needs. I will regularly review with you how the counselling is going but you can also request a review at any point.

I am Rachel and I am an experienced counsellor and therapist (BACP Accredited), who works with people with anxiety, depression and low self-esteem

I have found that in my 5 years working as a counsellor/therapist that many clients have these issues causing a negative impact on their lives. I am also aware through my own experiences, how they can hamper you from living a fulfilling and satisfying life.

Life experiences such as bereavement, loss, trauma, abuse, relationship difficulties disability, serious illness and injury can leave you with feelings and emotions you are struggling to cope with. Trying to suppress or avoid those feelings often makes things worse.

This is when coming to therapy can give you the space and opportunity to come to terms with what has happened to you and process emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, fear and shame.

Engaging in therapy will strengthen you ,enabling you to feel more liberated, energised and in control of your life in a positive way.

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