Beginning counselling
I know that the process of finding a therapist and beginning therapy can give rise to a lot of questions. This is completely normal. If you find that you have questions or are seeking some guidance, I am happy to speak with you via phone or e-mail to answer questions you may have. I recommend that you take the time to ask the questions that are important for you prior to beginning therapy. If you choose to meet with me, please know that I believe questions are also an important part of the therapeutic process.
Counselling at my office
I provide therapy based in Saint Saulve near Valenciennes. Parking is available on the street and there is a car park available within a minutes walk. There are local bus links and a bus stop also within a minutes walk.
A note about accessibility: The counselling room is on the ground floor – however there is a step up from the front door.
Counselling online
I also provide one to one sessions via video calls. For video calls to work well, can I invite you to make the following considerations: Do you have a space where you can speak confidentially and without interruption? Do you have a computer or device large enough that we can see one another? Is your internet connection fast enough so that we can speak without delays? Is your microphone working correctly?
Our first session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves. I will share with you how I work and you can ask me any questions. I will also be keen to understand the reasons you are coming for therapy and goals and expectations you have. As we talk together, I will ask you to pay attention to how you feel in the space with me. At the end of the session we can share some feedback and mutually agree if we will continue working together. If you feel that therapy isn’t for you or that I’m not the right therapist for you, that’s okay. I can guide you in finding alternative support if needed.
Finding a session time
We all have different schedules, however we will talk together to try and find a suitable day and time to meet. I work during daytime hours but I can also have some availability in the evenings. If our availability doesn’t match when you first contact me, I am happy to place your details on a waiting list and contact you when a time becomes available. Alternatively, if we both feel that it would be helpful for you to begin therapy more immediately, I will support you in recommending another suitable therapist.
Payments
My fees are 55.00 Eeuros or £50.00 per 60 minute session for one to one therapy. Payments can be made by cash (to be paid at the start of our session) or via Internet Banking. I will send you an invoice following our initial session and then invoices at the end of each month
Frequency
When beginning counselling, I recommend meeting initially once a week. This is to facilitate our relationship and will enable me to learn about your experiences and expectations so that I can best support you. We may later decide to meet less regaularly according to your needs. Our weekly sessions are up to 60 minutes. Please note that I am happy to work with you and provide some flexibility according to your specific needs.
Cancellations
I understand that sometimes we need to cancel or rearrange scheduled appointments. If this is the case, I ask that you provide me as much notice as possible and a minimum of 24 hours notice. This allows me to rearrange my schedule and offer you an alternative session. If you provide me less than 24 hours notice, please note that I will charge you for the full session. Like wise, if we have an appointment scheduled and I give you less than 24 hours notice, I won’t charge you for our following session. If you have any questions about the cancellation policy, please get in touch.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is key to our working together. I will honour you and what you share with me. To ensure that I am working ethically and keeping to my professional standards, I meet with my supervisor (a highly experienced psychotherapist) at least once a month. I share my client work with my supervisor, who is also bound by a confidentiality agreement. Please be aware that professionally I do have some limits to our confidentiality agreement. I will ask that we discuss these further if we decide to meet together. Any limits are for the safety and well-being of yourself and other individuals.
Asking questions
Perhaps you are unsure what the therapeutic process is or what it will look, sound or feel like. During a session I may ask you a question and perhaps you’ll be wondering why this is important. If you find yourself in a moment of not understanding my intent- please ask me. Your question may invite a meaningful conversation to help us better understand one another and find connection.
Self-Care
When attending a session with me, can I invite you to consider the time you spend before or after a session. I know it can be difficult to juggle various appointments and the temptation may be to jump straight into answering the phone or back into work. Therapy will most likely bring some emotions to the surface. Try to prioritise time just for you – to go for a walk, sit in a coffee shop, go for a drive. You can develop your self care by offering yourself time to process thoughts or feelings that may come up for you. Or simply by offering yourself a moment of stillness.
My therapeutic approach
I am trained in a Humanistic Integrative model of counselling and psychotherapy. This means that I work in a way that honours the individual I am meeting with. I honour your ability to find healing and meaning in your life. However, I understand that sometimes for a myriad of reasons it is difficult to do this alone. Therefore the relationship we will build together is at the heart of how I work. The qualities that we share are most important and will be the start of finding healing.