How do I make contact/book a session?

If you are interested in exploring the idea of booking a counselling session with me I offer a free (up to 60 minutes) consultation by telephone or Zoom video call.  This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and for us to work out whether booking an appointment is right for you and which platform is most suitable, ie face to face, video call or telephone.

If you wish to make contact you can fill in the enquiry form on the contact page of this website or email me at:  enquiries@outofthebluecounselling.org

How does Confidentiality work in the counselling relationship?

In the counselling relationship, confidentiality means that everything you say I will keep confidential.  However, there are some exceptions you need to be aware of, so if you said something that lead me to believe there was a significant risk of harm to you or someone else I would bring this into the conversation and discuss why I may need to involve a third party, such as your GP; I would always endeavour to work with you and gain your agreement.  Or, if you disclosed an act that meant you were involved in terrorism, drug trafficking or money laundering, confidentiality would need to be broken. Also, if a Court of Law requested information.

When working with adolescents and people under the age of 18 years, I may need to break confidentiality if I felt there was a risk to the young person or another child. This is part of safeguarding children and young people.

As part of working ethically and safely as a counsellor, I have regular Supervision – this involves talking about my work to a Clinical Supervisor and you as a client will be kept anonymous.  Supervision is a professional requirement and part of being a member of the professional bodies of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists) and the NCS (National Counselling Society).

When can I contact you?

Initially you can make an email enquiry using enquiries@outofthebluecounselling.org or by completing the form on this website.

You can also phone and leave a voicemail message or text me on my mobile during my working hours 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. I am unable to take telephone calls whilst working with clients, so please leave a message, including your contact details and whether you give consent for me to leave a message on your voicemail.  I always aim to reply within 24 hours of receiving contact from you.

How much will it cost?

Sessions last 60 minutes and cost £50.

Sessions can be paid for by cash or bank transfer for face to face and for online video or telephone, by bank transfer.

How many sessions should I have?

It depends on you and what you would like to focus on.  Generally, short term work is 6-10 sessions and longer term work is 10+ sessions. We would discuss the potential number of appointments you may require at your initial session and I aim to review our work together approximately every 4 sessions.

Can I cancel a session?

If you know you are not going to be able to attend an appointment and you would like to cancel/re-arrange, please give as much notice as possible.  If less than 24 hours notice is given, there is a £20 cancellation charge. If you do not attend a session and you have not given any notice, I will have to charge the full amount of £50 and this will need to be settled before further appointments can be booked.

FAQ Young People

What age groups do you work with?

I work with young people from the age of 13 years upwards. I have a current Enhanced DBS.

Is it okay for a parent/carer to attend an appointment with a young person?

At the initial appointment, I would suggest that a parent/carer attends for the first 10/15 minutes and this is a good opportunity to talk about the counselling agreement and confidentiality.

It is also important to give young people confidentiality and autonomy within a therapeutic counselling alliance.  I will, therefore, only break confidentiality if the young person explicitly requests it or if the young person discloses information that they are at risk of harm or someone else is.  I will always explain this to a young person and work with them to get the support they need.

It is important that it is a young person’s own choice to see a counsellor and I will discuss this with them at the first session.  Counselling is most effective when a young person has chosen this course of action themselves and is working with someone they are comfortable with.