Therapy can be a big step, and it's natural to have questions about what to expect. The truth is, every person's experience is unique, but there are a few things you can count on. First and foremost, therapy is a safe, non-judgmental space where you can openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of being criticised or judged. As your therapist, I am here to listen, provide support, and help you work through whatever challenges you're facing. You can expect the process to be collaborative – we will work together to set goals, develop coping strategies, and explore different perspectives. It's not always easy, but with an open mind and a willingness to put in the work, therapy can be incredibly transformative. The pace and focus of the sessions will be tailored to your individual needs, so don't worry about feeling rushed or pressured to share more than you're comfortable with.

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is - it depends! The length of therapy can vary greatly depending on your specific goals, the complexity of your issues, and your personal pace of growth. Some people find relief and achieve their goals in just a handful of sessions, while others may work with a therapist for months or even years. The important thing is to be patient with yourself and the process. Healing and personal growth don't happen overnight. We will work together to regularly assess your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach, so trust that we will find the right rhythm for you

Usually the first session is about getting to know each other. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, in regards to what has brought you to therapy. It can be helpful to have a think ahead of a first appointment about what you would like to get from your sessions, or where you would like to be by the end of our sessions together. This can help us set a direction of travel for our sessions, and think about how best to use our space. Before the end of our first session, we’ll take some time to discuss how you feel the session has gone, and decide if / when you’d like to meet again. In some instances we may agree to some tasks, or things to focus your attention on in between sessions to help you maximise the impact of your sessions.

Confidentiality is paramount in ensuring you feel safe in our counselling relationship. I will never discuss you, or your information with any third party without your consent unless it is absolutely necessary. We do talk about client information in our monthly clinical supervision, but this is done with another counsellor who abides by the same code of ethics as we do, and we never disclose your name, or any other identifiable information. There are limits to confidentiality. The first is if we are concerned that you may be a risk to yourself or someone else. In instances where we are concerned about this, we will work with you, where safe to do so, to agree a plan which may involve contacting your GP, or other health professional. In instances where we are concerned you are unable to keep yourself safe, we may contact emergency services and/or NHS support in order to preserve life. The other times we are unable to keep information confidential is when we are concerned about potential acts of terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering. In some instances, notes can be requested by the following people: • A judge (with a court order) • A lawyer (with your consent) In line with GDPR you may also request a copy of your notes, which can be done by emailing continuum.counselling@gmail.com (mailto:continuum.counselling@gmail.com). Copies of your notes will be provided within one calendar month of your request being received, and there will be no cost for this.

Once we've had a conversation and agreed to work together, please complete this counselling agreement form. This provides me with all of the important information I require ahead of our sessions taking place: https://forms.gle/UT1pNfZrvHaG61tT6