What kind of people come for counselling? 

All kinds of people come for counselling for a wide range of reasons including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, grief and loss. I believe everyone can benefit from counselling and welcome the opportunity to work with people regardless of age, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, abilities or beliefs.
 

How often will I need to come to counselling? 

Counselling works best with regular, frequent attendance, usually on a weekly basis. I recommend weekly sessions. Weekly sessions, without breaks, are particularly important for the first few weeks of therapy. 

How long are counselling sessions? 

Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes. As a first step I offer a free, 20-minute, introductory call or visit to help you to decide whether I am the right therapist for you before you start. 

How long do I need to come to counselling for? 

We will take as long as you need and work at your pace. I offer both short term counselling (6-12 sessions) and longer term open-ended psychotherapy. 

You will usually know when you are ready to finish therapy and when this happens we will work together to prepare for ending and our last session. 

What happens in the first session? 

During our first full 50 minute session we will start with introducing ourselves in more detail, which will include me explaining how I work, my training and the ethical framework that I abide by. I will give you the opportunity to ask any questions that you have about counselling, psychotherapy, the therapeutic process and working with me as your counsellor.  I understand you may be nervous and will do my best to put you at ease.

After introductions I will invite you to share your personal experiences with me, this may include your current relationships, childhood, key past or present life events that are impacting on your wellbeing. You choose what to share and what you feel is relevant. I will actively listen as you tell your personal story.

Before the end of the session I will give you the opportunity to choose whether you wish to continue to work together. If you want to continue we will consider how we want to work together, the goals you have for therapy and the contract for how we will work together.

If you don’t feel that I am the right counsellor for you we will consider other options that might work better for you. 

More information about counselling can be found at:  https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-is-counselling/

The BACP Ethical Framework can be found at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/3103/bacp-ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions-2018.pdf   

Will you tell anyone what I have said in sessions with you? 

Rest assured that what you bring to therapy is confidential. Confidentiality will only be broken in limited circumstances that I am required to report by law. Before this happens I will  try to make you aware and gain your consent about what is being shared, unless there are safeguarding issues that prevent me from doing this. 

All BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) registered counsellors should have clinical supervision to maintain ethical practice. Anonymised details of sessions may be discussed with a clinical supervisor. The clinical supervisor is also registered with the BACP and abides by the same ethical framework and bounds of confidentiality. 

My child is having counselling, will you tell me what they have said and done in sessions with you? 

As with adults, what is talked about, played with and made in counselling is kept confidential by the counsellor to create and maintain a safe space for the child/young person in their therapeutic relationship. They may freely share with you details of the sessions themselves.

To help you understand your child more I will ask your child for  consent to providing you an overview of play themes and general observations, when we have our regular review meetings.   If requested, and with your child's consent, I may also be able to provide suggestions for engaging with the child outside of sessions without disclosing what has been said or done in the room. 

If your child is at risk of harm from themselves or others, confidentiality will be broken to ensure the child's safety. 

Do you do online sessions? 

I believe counselling works best face to face and this is my preference, but there is growing evidence for the effectiveness of online counselling so I also offer counselling sessions using secure online video platforms. 

How do I pay for my sessions? 

Payment for sessions can be taken by credit or debit card on the day or by bank transfer the day before your scheduled session. Sessions can be paid for in bulk in advance if preferred. 

Do you offer any discounts? 

I believe that counselling should be accessible for all and offer low cost counselling, I also offer a number of reduced cost sessions for counselling students and people on low incomes. Please get in touch to find out if any reduced cost sessions are available. 

How do I find you? 

Sky full of Stars is based at my home in Elstead. I will provide detailed instructions on how to find where we are when we arrange our first session. 

If you are driving: there is space for you to park your car either on or off the road.

If you are using public transport: I am a few minutes walk from the bus stop, and the Route 46 bus between Farnham and Godalming runs regularly.  The timetable can be found here: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/buses-and-other-transport/bus-timetables/timetable?id=293535

I'm interested, what do I do next? 

Click the 'Contact' button below to send me a message. We can then arrange a time for a free 20 minute session so that you can understand more about me and how I work to help you decide if I am the right counsellor for you, and you can share information about yourself so that I can understand your needs.