What will happen at the first session?

I offer a free telephone consultation for up to 20 minutes in order for you to assess whether you want counselling and what is involved.

I always begin counselling with an assessment session with no obligation to continue.

I will provide a safe, comfortable and confidential space for you to outline briefly what you believe your issues to be and what you want from counselling.

I will take a few personal details and outline what is meant by confidentiality and then briefly explain the process of counselling.  I will ask a range of questions so that I have a broad picture of the issues you wish to bring to counselling.

I consider the first session to be a mutual assessment. You have the opportunity to assess if I am the right counsellor for you and I have a professional obligation to assess whether I have the appropriate skills and experience to help you.

You will be given opportunity to ask any questions.

If you wish to engage in counselling with me we would then agree the frequency and timing of our future sessions. This is usually a 50 minute session at weekly intervals at a regular time, but this can be adjusted to suit your needs.

Counselling is a collaborative process and we would regularly review our work together to ensure we are making progress that is meaningful to you and to give you space to decide how you want to proceed.

Fees

£55 – 50 minute assessment session

£55 – 50 minute counselling session for individuals

Payable at the start of the session by cash or BACS

I offer a free initial telephone assessment for up to 20 minutes to help you assess whether counselling is right for you.

Location

Coronavirus update: My priority is to keep clients safe. At the moment the majority of sessions I offer are online. I have a limited number of face to face slots available.

I use a discrete private room at Heaton Baptist Church on Heaton Road.  The building is fully accessible to those with any mobility issues, the location is easily accessible by public transport or there is free on-street parking outside the building.

Heaton Baptist Church Lifecentre, Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5HN

For a location map click on the link below.