What To Expect

Beginnings

Life is full of changes, challenges, and transitions — some expected, others not. These moments can affect our emotional well-being and sense of self, sometimes leaving us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of where to turn.

Talking to someone who is trained to listen can help. It offers a space to explore what's going on, make sense of difficult feelings, and begin the process of healing.

Most people come to counselling with a story. Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end — and sometimes, starting to tell that story is the hardest part. You may feel unsure how to start, or anxious about what to expect. That’s completely normal. Simply beginning to talk can bring relief, clarity, and a sense of being truly heard — without judgment.

Middles

Counselling is not a miracle cure, but it can provide a place to turn to for help when things feel too difficult to manage on your own. And with the right kind of help and support, it is possible to overcome difficult events or issues that are troubling you, and to move on. As the sessions progress, therapy provides uninterrupted time and quiet space to talk and to express feelings you may not have felt able to share with others before. As the trust between the counsellor and the client builds, problem areas and patterns can begin to reveal themselves and together we can explore how best to manage them. The aim with my approach is for you to feel comfortable and able to express your feelings within a safe and non-judgemental environment. And when trust begins to flow, change begins to happen.

Endings

Like any partnership, ending therapy is an important part of the process too, and my approach is to explore what endings mean to you in relation to your story and also to prepare and plan for any ending, even setting a date and working towards it. Feeling able to talk about how to end the therapy in a safe way allows both client and counsellor to share an overview of the work undertaken.

“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”

Chödrön, 1997, p. 81

Taking the first step

Starting therapy can feel like a big step — but it can also be the beginning of meaningful change.

If you’re ready to begin, or just want to find out more, please get in touch.

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

Brene Brown

Once we’ve agreed on an initial appointment, we’ll meet either in person or online via Zoom — whichever feels right for you. Each session lasts 50 minutes and takes place on the same day and time each week.

The first two sessions are called assessment sessions. This is your opportunity to:

Talk in confidence about what’s bringing you to therapy
Decide if I’m the right therapist for you
Get a feel for how we might work together

If we decide to continue, we’ll discuss the best path forward. Counselling is most effective when there’s commitment to the process and the relationship.

“In my early professional years I was asking the question, How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?”

Rogers, 1961/1995, p. 32

Ready to Take the First Step?

Reaching out takes courage, and I'm here to make that first step as comfortable as possible. Let's schedule a call to see if we're a good fit for working together.

Schedule Your First Call