Frequently asked questions

Counselling in psychology is a professional, confidential, and collaborative talking therapy (as defined by the British Psychological Society)(https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/report-guideline/bpsrep.2014.rep101c/chapter/bpsrep.2014.rep101c.13) designed to help individuals manage personal, emotional, or behavioral issues. It assists clients in developing self-understanding, improving coping strategies, and addressing life’s challenges through a structured, supportive relationship with a trained professional.

https://tinyurl.com/2hzsnncb (https://tinyurl.com/2hzsnncb)There are many different modalities in counselling which are all helpful for different things. please call if you want more info or see link above to BACP.

Therapy and counselling can feel very different depending on the person, the therapist, and what you’re going in for—but there are some common experiences people often describe. 🧠 At the beginning It can feel a bit awkward before you go but once there most people say they feel safe and heard.. You’re talking to a stranger about personal things, so it’s normal to feel: • Nervous or unsure what to say • (“Am I doing this right?”) Some people also feel relief right away—just having a space where they’re allowed to talk openly without judgment. 💬 During sessions Once you settle in, therapy often feels like: • A structured conversation – not just chatting, but guided in a way that helps you explore patterns, thoughts, and feelings • Being listened to deeply – therapists are trained to really hear you, which can feel surprisingly intense • Emotionally mixed – you might feel: • Relief after saying something out loud • Sadness or discomfort when discussing difficult topics • Clarity when things start to make sense It’s not always “comfortable.” In fact, some of the most useful sessions can feel challenging. ⚖️ Important to know • There’s no “right” way to feel in therapy • Some sessions feel amazing, others feel frustrating or like “nothing happened” • The relationship with the therapist matters a lot—feeling comfortable with them can change everything

Short answer: yes, therapy does work for many people—but not always in the same way, and not instantly. 🧠 What “working” actually means Therapy isn’t usually a quick fix. When it works, people often notice things like: • Feeling less overwhelmed or anxious • Understanding their thoughts and patterns better • Handling stress or relationships more effectively • Gradual improvement in mood or behavior It’s often slow, steady change, not a dramatic overnight shift. 📊 What research shows Across decades of studies: • Most people who go to therapy improve more than those who don’t • It’s been shown to help with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems Different approaches (like CBT, psychodynamic therapy, etc.) can all be effective—there isn’t just one “best” type for everyone. ⚖️ What affects whether it works 1. The therapist fit This is huge. Feeling understood and comfortable with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of success. 2. Your readiness You don’t need to be “perfectly ready,” but being at least open to reflecting and trying makes a difference. 3. The type of problem Some things (like specific anxieties or habits) can improve relatively quickly. Others (like deep trauma or long-term patterns) take more time. 4. Consistency Going regularly and sticking with it—even when it feels slow—matters a lot.

They will listen, and ask questions, but won’t tell you what to do. This might feel difficult to begin with. But your therapist is there to support you to open up and guide the process. Sometimes just talking about your problems will help you see them in a different light and bring up new ideas you may not have considered.

One-to-one sessions are typically 50 minutes long but can be up to an hour. £60 Couple sessions £60 but can be longer than this if wanted. 90 = £ 90 Sometimes sessions for children are shorter, lasting 30 or 40 minutes. depending on age and concentration of child. £50

The way psychotherapists and counsellors work can overlap. Both use talking therapy to help someone tackle an emotional difficulty. But the training for each is different. Psychologists and psychiatrists are different. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that diagnose illness, prescribe medication, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for serious mental illness. Psychologists have a degree in psychology and work in schools, hospitals, care homes, prisons, as well as private practice. They work to understand people’s behaviour and address psychological distress. One way to think about it is that psychology is the study of the mind, and psychotherapy is about applying insights from psychology to help people. A psychotherapist may also be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional who has done additional training in psychotherapy.

Free listening services These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult: • call 116 123 (tel:116123)to talk to Samaritans,(https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/) or email: jo@samaritans.org (mailto:jo@samaritans.org)for a reply within 24 hours • if you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 (tel:0800 1111)to talk to Childline (https://www.childline.org.uk/)– the number will not appear on your phone bill These services will only share your information if they are very worried about you or think you are in immediate danger. Information: Coping during a crisis The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.(https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/what-can-i-do-to-help-myself-cope/) This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours. Immediate action required:Call 999 or go to A&E now if: • someone's life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose • you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Call: 999(https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/when-to-call-999/)