Question 1

How long is a Therapy session?

Accepted Answer

A therapy session lasts for 50 minutes, takes place weekly, at the same time and same day, this allows for a consistent stable Therapeutic relationship.

Question 2

How many sessions might therapy take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you’re working through and what you’d like from therapy. Some people find short-term support is enough, while others prefer longer-term counselling. I usually suggest starting with 4 sessions, then reviewing together to see what feels helpful and whether you’d like to continue.

Question 3

What will happen at the first session?

Accepted Answer

The first session is the beginning of our working relationship. During this session, we will talk about your situation, what you are seeking from therapy and your background, as well as how we could work together towards your personal goals, such as developing coping strategies or having support for a specific difficulty in your life, or goals that require longer-term work and open-ended therapy, such as on-going life situation, or multiple stressors in your life, I’m aware that starting therapy can feel daunting and I'd like to assure you that you will not be pressured into sharing anything that you are not comfortable with. It is an opportunity for you to get a sense of me as your therapist and to ask any question you might have.

Question 4

Are the sessions confidential?

Accepted Answer

I’d like to assure you that our sessions are a confidential, safe, respectful and non-judgemental space to explore the problems you are currently experiencing. There are a few exceptions where I am legally bound to share information. These relate to if you are at risk of serious harm to yourself or another person, or where drug trafficking, money laundering or acts of terrorism are disclosed. If there was any concern to break confidentiality, I would discuss this with you first.

Question 5

Do I need special equipment for online sessions?

Accepted Answer

No, not at all. In terms of technology, I use Zoom (free for you to use), which offers excellent levels of security and efficiency. To use this, you will need a stable broadband connection. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom. I will provide guidance and instructions on how to use it prior to us working together, to help you become familiar with it.

Question 6

What happens regarding holidays?

Accepted Answer

Regular ongoing attendance of sessions is important for therapy to be effective. If you are planning a holiday, I would respectively ask you to give me as much notice as possible and at least two weeks' notice and similarly I will endeavour to do the same.
If possible, it is helpful not to take a holiday during our initial four sessions in order for therapy to be effective.

Question 7

How do I make payment

Accepted Answer

Payment is bank transfer, 48 working hours in advance will secure your appointment (account information is in my contract provided)

Question 8

Can I end therapy if I want to?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it’s preferable that we discuss an ending as it is an important part of the therapeutic process.

Question 9

What can therapy offer the other things can't?

Accepted Answer

Therapy can be used to complement other treatments and offers a safe and confidential environment for you to explore issues of concern without fear of being judged or feeling embarrassed. It is an opportunity for an individual to explore why they feel the way they do, and discuss how to manage issues in a way that suits them.

Question 10

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Hope Way Counselling supports individuals, couples, children and adolescents. The approach is always tailored to the person in front of me, so we can focus on what feels most important for you or your family.

Question 11

What kinds of issues can therapy help with?

Accepted Answer

I work with a range of presenting psychological issues. If something is affecting your wellbeing, relationships, or day-to-day life, therapy can give us a space to understand it better and work through it together.

Question 12

I’m not sure what I need yet — can I still start therapy?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. You don’t need to have everything worked out before you begin. We can use the first session to explore what’s going on, what feels most important, and whether therapy feels like a good fit for you.

Question 13

What therapy approaches do you use?

Accepted Answer

I work integratively, which means I draw from different evidence-based approaches to suit your needs. Depending on what you’re bringing to therapy, I may use Person-Centred, CBT, DBT, and Imago-informed work. The aim is always to tailor support to you, rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach.

Frequently asked questions