Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is your service confidential?

A1. Confidentiality can be breached in rare situations and these include if I thought you or another person were at risk of harm. If you came for counselling we would discuss confidentiality in much more detail so you are aware of any limitations.

Q2. Do you tell my parents what we talk about?

A2. Normally I don't have any discussions with parents or carers, although sometimes they come to intial meetings while we all decide whether counselling is appropriate. At this point I would explain that I would not discuss what you tell me with them once counselling has begun. Sometimes you may want me to meet them with you again to support you while you explain things to them, we would discuss and agree this on an individual basis.

Q3. How might it help me?

A3. Counselling helps by giving you a safe place to be listened to, where you won't be judged or told what to do. By exploring your thoughts and feelings about any difficulties you may be able to find new ways of understanding what is happening and find new or better ways to cope and live your life. It is however, not guaranteed and relies on you being able to talk to me and feel comfortable doing so. This is why I have initial meetings to find out how you feel and see if you want to try counselling - it also sometimes takes a few sessions for you to feel ok talking to me and that's quite usual.

Q4. Does someone have to come with me?

A4. If you are under 16 you will need a parent to come to an initial meeting and give consent for you to come to counselling. After the initial meeting someone can still bring you although they won't be in the room while you talk with me - there are places where they can wait for you. If you are over 16, you can either have a parent with you for an initial meeting or come on your own - we would discuss this at any initial discussion before we meet.

Q5. Is counselling just talking? I find that really difficult...

A5. Sometimes counselling is more about talking and sometimes I use other ways to explore feelings with people. This can include drawing and writing, doing things at home between sessions or even working in creative ways with pebbles, stones and colours. There are many different ways that counselling can work and we would discuss your needs and how to best work at the start, or re-think the we work together if things change during counselling.

Q6. How long will it take before I feel better and happier?

A6. Sometimes people notice a difference in how they feel quite quickly and others take a lot longer. I always talk about any changes you may notice as we go along as I don't believe in people being in counselling if they are getting no benefit or it feels as if you have met your goals.

Q7. What if I want to stop coming?

A7. Sometimes if you are upset during counselling you may think you would feel better if you stopped coming. Not everyone feels upset but if you do it's often better to talk about it within counselling rather than keep it to yourself. People sometimes find that by talking about the more difficult things they are able to address these and feel pleased that they did. I will support you in whatever decision you make, however if that decision is to end it's often a good idea to have a final session with me to look at your achievements and for us to say goodbye.

Q8. What if I need immediate help, right now?

A8. If you need help right now, there are a few helplines you can use. Samaritans are avaialble 24 hours a day on 08457 909090 or via e-mail to jo@samaritans.org however their e-mail response time is not immediate. Childine is also available 24 hours a day for young people who have no-where to turn to for help and their number is 0800 1111.

Q9. Where abouts do you work?

A9. I work from Mirfield and Wakefield in West Yorkshire. On initial enquiry we would decide which is the best place for you to come and organise directions.

A10. I do not charge for an initial discussion or meeting for potential clients to talk to me about their aims for counselling and decide if they wish to continue. This meeting can be for up to 30 minutes and I believe it allows new clients to make informed choices about whether they wish to continue. Having a counsellor you can feel at ease with is very important and this initial meeting allows us both to understand the aims of potential counselling and decide if we want to work together. All future sessions last for about 50 minutes and I charge £35 per session, Payment is due at the start of the sessions by either cash or cheque.