Why come for Counselling?

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Counselling offers you the opportunity to talk in a safe and private means about anything that’s troubling you.  I will listen carefully to what you have to say and will not judge you or tell you what to do. The aim is to help you understand things more clearly so that you can see for yourself how to deal with things more effectively.

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When is Counselling a good idea?

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Counselling aims to be friendly and welcoming, it is a good idea to contact a counsellor if you feel you are not coping well. Counselling is sometimes seen as a last resort and can even be perceived as a sign of failure but it isn’t. Knowing how to look after yourself is an important life skill, part of which is knowing when you need some extra support.

You can also use counselling for personal development, to increase awareness of who you are and how you relate to others, to build self-esteem and to help resolve some issues that may be preventing you from fulfilling your potential.

 

What do people talk about?

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In counselling you are free to talk about yourself and any issues which are affecting your wellbeing. Some common topics raised are:

• Relationships

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Loss

• Low self esteem

• Abuse

• Sexual identity

• Drug and alcohol misuse

 

Is Counselling a confidential service?

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Counselling aims to be a confidential service within the boundaries of current regulation and the law. We can discuss this and any questions you may have during our initial session.

 

Are there notes taken for the session?

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Yes, notes are taken to assist the process and for reference in future sessions. These notes are confidential and will be stored securely.

 

How many sessions will I need?

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It is never possible to say at the start how many sessions will be needed however I will regularly review with you whether you are finding the sessions helpful, when you no longer feel you need to continue we will agree a plan for ending.

 

How often will I have to come to therapy?

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In most cases there will be a commitment of weekly sessions however this can vary and is dependent on your personal requirements.

 

How long are the sessions?

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Each session will last 50 minutes.

 

Do I have to prepare beforehand?

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No this is not necessary although it does help if you think about what you would like to discuss during the sessions.

Is teletherapy/online therapy as effective as face to face therapy?

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Despite the concerns research is consistently showing that online and teletherapy can be as effective as face to face therapy for many people. Online therapy has grown in recent years providing ease and convenience to many people who may find it difficult to attend face to face sessions.

What happens if the connection fails when working on Zoom?

In this instance we will have already agreed an alternative contact method, this would likely be via telephone.

What will I need for a Zoom therapy session?

You will need to be able to access the Zoom platform. This can be done via a laptop, Ipad or a smart mobile telephone. Zoom is available on both Apple and Android platforms. It is important that you have access to a reliable internet connection, preferably a wifi connection as data calls can be expensive.

How do I manage confidentiality during online/teletherapy sessions?

It’s really important that you have access to a safe space where you feel you can talk freely without the threat of interruption. With online/teletherapy maintaining confidentiality is the responsibility of the therapist and the client therefore you will need to consider how you might ensure your own privacy and confidentiality.

How will I join the Zoom call?

I will send a Zoom link to your email address in advance of the session. The link will be sent within 48 hours of us agreeing a time and date of the session, you will need to click on the link and follow the instructions atleast 10 minutes prior to our agreed time. The link will include the meeting id and the password required to join. As I am the host I will initiate the call and admit you to the session.​

 

Can I eat and drink before Ear Acupuncture?

It’s best not to have treatment on an empty stomach as you may feel dizzy or light-headed after treatment. It’s worth having a small snack at least half an hour before your session and it’s ok to have drinks that are not high in caffeine.

 

Does Ear Acupuncture hurt?

 

Generally no, treatment does not hurt. Some people may feel the acupuncture points go in but it’s not painful you just feel them going in, although, some people feel nothing. Once the point is in you may feel a dull ache or a tingling sensation, which is normal.

 

Are there any side effects?

 

Generally there are minimal side effects that include minor bruising, itching or redness where the points were inserted. They will normally go after a few days.

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How long do the points have to stay in?

 

For best results the points should stay in for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 40 minutes. Sometimes the points will come out of their own accord, this is normal and does not mean there is anything wrong.

 

Are the needles re-used?

 

No, all acupuncture needles are one use disposable needles.

 

How often should I have treatments?

 

To begin with sessions should be no less than weekly, this is because you are less likely to feel the benefits of the treatment. Frequent treatments have better results however, it is not a substitute for professional medical treatment