Question 1

What actually happens in a counselling session?

Accepted Answer

Counselling sessions are conversations, but there isn't a set formula for what happens each week. We might explore something that's happened, how you're feeling, a relationship or difficulty you're trying to understand, or something you've begun to notice about yourself.Sometimes you may need space to talk and think. At other times I might ask questions, offer an observation or perspective, explain a psychological idea, gently challenge something or suggest a practical way of exploring it. We can talk about what feels useful and adjust how we work as the counselling develops.

Question 2

What happens in a coaching session?

Accepted Answer

Coaching tends to be more focused on what you want to change or move towards. We might clarify what matters most to you, explore what’s getting in the way, and break things down into realistic steps. I’ll support you to stay connected to your values and to experiment with new ways of doing things, without slipping into pressure or perfectionism.Find out more about coaching.

Question 3

Do I need to prepare for my sessions?

Accepted Answer

You don't need to prepare anything for counselling sessions. Some people find it helpful to jot down thoughts or things they'd like to talk about, but there's no need to arrive with an agenda.If we're doing more coaching-focused work, we may agree on things for you to think about, try or work on between sessions. We'll be clear about this together, so you'll know if there's anything useful to do before we next meet.

Question 4

How can I get the most from my sessions?

Accepted Answer

There isn't a right way to do counselling and coaching, and you don’t have to perform or be “a good client”. What tends to help is honesty – including being honest if something doesn’t feel helpful. Attending regularly, being curious about your own experience, and allowing yourself to notice what comes up between sessions can all deepen the work.

Question 5

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

There's no fixed number. Some people come for relatively focused work whilst others find longer-term counselling more useful.Six sessions can give us a useful point to review the work, although deeper or longer-standing difficulties often benefit from more time.We can review what you're getting from counselling as we go, and you're free to end whenever you choose.

Question 6

Will you just sit and listen?

Accepted Answer

No. Listening carefully and giving you space are important parts of counselling, but I won't only sit silently while you talk. When it seems useful, I'll ask questions, offer observations or perspectives, share relevant psychological ideas and sometimes suggest practical ways of working with something.There will also be times when giving you room to think, feel or explore something at your own pace is the most useful thing I can do.

Question 7

What might I take away from counselling or coaching?

Accepted Answer

What you take from our work will depend on what brought you, what you want from it and what emerges along the way. There isn't a single outcome that everyone should reach.My hope is that you leave with a better understanding of yourself and what matters to you, greater choice in how you respond to things, and more clarity about what you want going forward.Where it's useful, we'll also work with practical ideas, strategies or tools that you can continue to use after our work ends. That might mean recognising a pattern earlier, responding differently to anxiety, communicating more clearly, setting boundaries, approaching a decision differently or knowing how to support yourself when things become difficult.Counselling and coaching can't prevent difficult things from happening or mean you'll never struggle again. But ideally, you'll finish our work knowing yourself better and with something useful to carry forward into life beyond our sessions.

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