How long will I be in counselling?
To a large extent this will depend on you and the issues that you wish to work on. I am open to both short and long term work. So you might come along for just a few months or you may be in therapy for several years or it could be somewhere in between. At our initial session we will discuss what you are hoping to get from coming to counselling and how we will be reviewing our work together on an on-going basis. We will be regularly looking at where you are in both in terms of your original reason for coming and in light of any other concerns that may have emerged. This will provide the flexibility to extend or shorten the counselling to fit your needs.
What happens if I want to stop?
Remember we will be reviewing your progress on a regular basis and you can raise any concerns that you have at any time during our work together. Generally we will have a sense of when our work together is reaching its conclusion thus giving us time to work on preparing you for when you leave therapy, If you feel that you would like to bring your counselling to an end we can discuss whether you have resolved the issues that are important to you. The choice of whether to continue or not will always lie with you but it is always good to have a final session together to provide closure to our work together,
Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes, what you tell me in our sessions is confidential. However in exceptional circumstances if I feel that you may be either a risk of serious harm or danger to yourself or to others then I do reserve the right to inform appropriate professional support. There are also aspects of the law that I have an ethical responsibility to comply with such as terrorist activities, drug trafficking or abuse of a child or vulnerable adult or circumstances where I am legally compelled to by a court of law. Wherever possible I will strive to inform and discuss this with you first.
In relation to Data Protection I am registered with Information Commissioner's Office. I keep brief handwritten notes of each session together with any other records and forms securely in a manner which affords you anonymity and which are compliant with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
As a member of the BACP I am required to be supervised in my work by an experienced colleague who is also bound by rules of confidentiality. Discussing my work in this way is important in maintaining adequate standards of counselling and acts to protect you by ensuring that I am working in your best interests.
Do you work face to face or online?
I am pleased to be able to offer you the choice of working face to face or online. I am happy to be flexible in this as there may be circumstances when it might be useful to switch between the two. Online, I can work with Microsoft Teams, Zoom or WhatsApp video. I will send you an email prior to the Microsoft Teams or Zoom sessions with a link to allow you to access the meeting. The link will take you to the online waiting room and then I will admit you at the start of the session,
When working online I will ensure that I work from same the private room that is used for face to face sessions. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are alone in a private room where you will not be overheard or disturbed during our sessions.
Neither you nor I as client and counsellor will record any session in whichever format the session is delivered. without prior discussion and agreement
How do I make an appointment?
If you would like to make an appointment or have some more questions for me you can contact me via email (click on the link above) or telephone/text on 07958 519 398. If I am unable to take your call please do leave a message on my voicemail so I can get back to you at the earliest possible opportunity. You can also request a call back from me via email. It is helpful if you could provide me with a range of times that you are available and I will do my best to call you then.
When will I be seen?
We will arrange an appointment for your initial assessment session at a mutually convenient time. If we decide that we would like to work together then do be aware that the time of this first assessment session will not necessarily be the time for your ongoing counselling sessions. Moving forward I offer both daytime and evenings counselling sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
How much will it cost?
My fees are £65 per session. You will normally pay by bank transfer before the start of each session.
How often do we meet?
We will usually meet once a week for a fifty minute session. We will arrange a regular day and time for you to come along. Having continuity and structure is vital for the work we will be doing together. Daytime and evenings sessions are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
What time should I come?
I would ask you to arrive at the start of your agreed session time. If you are choosing to work face to face please do not come before this time as I may be with another client so will not be able to come to the door.
If you are choosing to work online using Zoom or Teams please ensure that you have logged yourself in using the link that I have sent you so that I can admit you from the waiting room at the start of the session,
Is it important to be on time?
Yes punctuality is important – your 50 minute session starts from the time of your appointment whether we are working face to face or online. It is not possible to overrun a session as I may have other clients to see.
Where is your practice?
I am based in Sidney Road, Wood Green, N22 8LU. Click here for a link to a map showing my location:
What are transport links and parking like?
Transport links are good and I am just a short walk from Wood Green Underground station, Bounds Green Underground station and Bowes Park British Rail station.
Bus routes 121, 141, 232 and 329 stop at the end of the road. You will need to get off the bus at the Arcadian Gardens bus stop. Bus routes W3, W4, 29, 67, 34,67, 102, 123, 144, 184, 221, 232, 243, 299 and 329 are all 15 minutes or less walk away.
Parking is straightforward, however there are parking restrictions in the immediate area between 11am and 1pm.
Wood Green