It is okay to have questions.

Beginning counselling can feel unfamiliar, especially if you have never worked with a counsellor before.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, talk about what has brought you to counselling and begin thinking about what you need from our work together.

We will spend some time discussing the counselling agreement, including confidentiality, boundaries and how we will work together. This helps create a clear and supportive foundation for our sessions.

There is no expectation that you share everything straight away. The first session is about beginning to understand what you need from counselling and creating a way of working that feels comfortable for you.

It is completely normal to feel unsure about what counselling will be like.

Counselling is a space where you can explore what feels important to you, whether that is something that has happened recently, experiences from your past or feelings that are difficult to make sense of.

You do not need to know exactly what you want to say before a session. We can begin with what feels most important and allow things to unfold over time.

Many people come to counselling unsure where to begin.

You may know that something does not feel right, that you feel overwhelmed or disconnected, or that you would like to better understand yourself and your experiences.

You do not need to arrive with a clear explanation or a list of things to discuss. Sometimes, through our conversations together, things can begin to feel clearer over time.

There is no expectation that you talk about anything before you feel ready.

Counselling is a space where trust can develop over time, and we can explore what feels important to you as our work together grows.

You are in control of what you choose to bring to our sessions, and we can take time to understand your experiences in a way that feels comfortable for you.

Counselling can sometimes bring up strong emotions, and it is okay if this happens.

There is no expectation that you need to hold everything together during our sessions. We can take time to pause, reflect and notice what you need in those moments.

Your emotions are welcome here, and we can make space for whatever comes up for you.

What you share during our sessions is treated as confidential. This means you have a private space where you can talk openly about your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

I work in line with professional and legal responsibilities, including protecting your personal information and managing records in accordance with data protection requirements.

As part of ethical counselling practice, I discuss my work with my clinical supervisor. These conversations are confidential and identifying information about you is not shared.

There are some limits to confidentiality, for example if I am concerned about your safety or the safety of someone else. We will discuss these boundaries clearly at the beginning of our work together, and you are welcome to ask questions about them at any point.

There is no set number of counselling sessions.

Everyone's experience of counselling is different. Some people may find a shorter period of support helpful, while others may benefit from longer-term work.

We can regularly reflect together on how counselling is feeling for you and whether continuing feels helpful.

I offer both online and face-to-face counselling, and we can discuss which option feels most suitable for you.

Online counselling can still offer a meaningful space to talk, reflect and explore what feels important.

You can find more information about online sessions on the Online Counselling page .

Choosing to begin counselling is personal, and it is okay to take time to consider whether it feels right for you.

You do not need to wait until things feel overwhelming before seeking support. Sometimes counselling begins with simply wanting to understand yourself better, make sense of your experiences or have a space that is just for you.

If you are unsure, the initial consultation is an opportunity for us to talk and see whether working together feels like the right support.