Your first session will help me to find out more about you and to assess how best to support you. It will also give you the opportunity to decide whether or not I am the right therapist for you. As well as starting to learn more about what has brought you to therapy, we will use the time to decide how best to go forward together. Important issues including confidentiality, appointment times/duration and frequency will be discussed and agreed.
Counselling and psychotherapy involve actively listening to your concerns and working with you collaboratively to help you overcome them. It does not involve telling you how to live your life or passing judgement on the decisions you choose to make.
You are encouraged to take an active role in your own therapy, with the work based on what you bring to each session. Whilst I only use evidence based therapy models, I do so in a way that is non-prescriptive and respects your individuality. Your feedback will be encouraged throughout your therapy journey.
When attending counselling as a couple, I will encourage you and your partner to explore your relationship openly and honestly, by providing you both with a safe and confidential space within which to talk.
My role is that of facilitator so that I can enable you to identify and communicate your needs to each other more effectively, resolve conflict and to decide as a couple the most appropriate way forward. To maintain the integrity of the counselling relationship, my stance will always remain impartial and I will not side with one partner over the other.
