The Counselling Journey
Like all worthwhile journeys the destination takes some work. Counsellor and client work together to negotiate the path.
The journey begins the moment you, the client, get in touch.
Initial Assessment
When a client initially contacts me, I will provide some information outlining the service I offer along with a little information about what online counselling is and how it works. The information includes a section outlining a working agreement as well as a few questions to help me better understand your difficulties.
If clients feel the information fits with what they are looking for they are invited to complete the form and return it to me. This enables me to assess if my skills match the clients requirements thus ensuring I work within my own competencies as expressed in the BACP Ethical Framework.
Assuming a sufficient match I will email the client to arrange a mutually convenient time for our first online session along with emailing a copy of the counselling contract which details the terms and conditions.
The beginning of the counselling journey
In our first session online I will gather some information from you about your personal history such as your family background, what difficulties you are experiencing that have bought you to counselling and medical history where relevant. We will also discuss what you would like to get from counselling, working together to set relevant goals. We will go through the counselling contract, which details the terms and conditions.
Sessions
Counselling sessions last between 50 mins to an hour. Most of the time we make an initial agreement to meet 10-12 times, reviewing how things are going after 6 sessions.
Some people find a few sessions will have addressed things enough for them and others stay for 4 months or longer.
I usually see clients on a weekly basis for one hour, at the same time each week.
The end of the counselling journey
Endings are an important part of the counselling journey
We will be constantly reviewing our work together and discussing when it would be appropriate to end.
During our final sessions together we will reflect on the progress you, the client has made towards your goals, what you have discovered about yourself and what you will take-away from our time together to equip you to continue making the changes you want to make.