Counselling - Frequently Asked Questions

What can counselling help with?

Counselling can help with a variety of issues, including:

Anxiety or depression
Low self-esteem
Emotional problems
Relationship difficulties
Family / marital crises
Work-related problems
Bereavement
Personal development
Identity Issues

How will I benefit from counselling?

The counselling relationship is unique, in that the talking is dedicated to you. You are accepted for who you are. Counselling helps identify problems or concerns you have and how they affect your life. Many people not only resolve their immediate concerns, but also learn useful skills for dealing with future issues.

Counselling also offers a supportive relationship in times of crisis and provides a safe place to express suppressed emotions. It can stop patterns of undesired thinking or behaviour and helps with the development of a positive outlook and a healthier lifestyle.

Counselling can help build self-esteem, allowing you to discuss goals, dreams, hopes and expectations that you have for your life and identify your strengths to build on these.

What is your approach to Counselling?

Heidi's approach to counselling is to help you to find a resolution to your issue that suits you, your values and your way of life. This is done by working with you, by listening, prompting and helping you to clarify the difficulties you are facing, the options you have, and help you to see your own situation more clearly so that you can make decisions about what you want to do, or how you want to do it.

Heidi is an integrative counsellor, which means that she integrates theory from various different theoretical models to suit the person she is counselling.

What can I expect on my first session?

In the first meeting, you will be able to talk freely and in confidence about what is troubling you; we will explore your present situation, needs and any concerns about therapy. It will also give us chance to decide whether or not we would like to work together, if you feel comfortable with me and if I feel I can help you.

What do you need to do in order for counselling to work?

Although it is helpful to know why you are coming, you do not need to come with a set agenda. It is your time to talk about whatever you want, and this may vary from session to session. It is however, important that you have a willingness to explore your feelings and experiences.

You may occasionally feel reluctant to attend a session or to continue with counselling; however, these times are a very important phase of the counselling process. They are often the times when there is potential for change - maybe to break out of old negative patterns of behaviour or work through difficult feelings to get a greater understanding or acceptance of them.

Why not just talk to friends?

Many of the benefits of therapy can also be achieved by talking to friends; however, there are also downsides, for example:

Friends are often unable to just listen and will often want to give advice - or try to solve your “problems”.
It might be difficult for friends not to get upset by what they hear and that can add to your pain or anguish.
Friends sometimes find it difficult to keep things confidential, particularly if they are involved or know anyone you talk about.
It can also be quite draining on friends, particularly if you need a lot of support or they have their own problems.

How many sessions will I need?

Counselling tends to be a longer term therapy than hypnotherapy, as it gives the client a chance to explore issues consciously. Like hypnotherapy, it is very much centered upon the needs of the client; they decide for themselves when they are ready to stop the counselling process. Counselling for a specific problem may take only a few weekly sessions while deep-rooted problems or feelings that have been carried for a long time, may need longer.

Our aim is to help you in the shortest number of sessions possible but the door is always open. Some clients choose to take a break and they can return to counselling at any time.

How much does a session cost?

Sessions for Counselling are £40 and last one hour.