What to expect

My approach

I work in a [person-centred / integrative] way. In practice that means sessions are shaped around you: what you bring, what you want to explore, and the pace that feels manageable. There's no script and no pressure to talk about anything before you're ready.

[Helen: a paragraph on your particular approach and what it draws on.]

The first conversation

We'll start with a free 15-minute phone call. It's a chance for you to ask questions, tell me a little about what's going on, and get a feel for whether I'm the right fit. There's no obligation to go further.

The first session

If you decide to go ahead, the first session is a longer conversation about what has brought you to counselling, what you'd like to be different, and how we might work together. We'll also go through confidentiality and the practical details, and agree how often we'll meet.

Ongoing sessions

Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly at the same time. Some people come for a fixed number of sessions to work on something specific; others prefer open-ended work. We'll review together as we go, and you're always free to end when it feels right.

Confidentiality

What you share in sessions stays between us. The only exceptions are the ones all counsellors work within: if I believed you or someone else was at serious risk of harm, or where the law requires it. I'll always talk to you about this first wherever possible. I also discuss my work in confidential supervision, as required by my professional body, without identifying details.