My sessions last for 50 minutes and take place on a weekly basis. I would ask you to come just a few minutes before your appointment time.
It is normal to feel nervous before an initial counselling session. I will be working to reduce your fear and to help you relax. Counselling is, above all else, a relationship between two human beings. For sure, it is a relationship that is purposeful, and has the intention of helping one of the people involved, but relationship is at the heart of counselling.
At the outset of our first meeting I will invite you to tell me what has brought you to counselling, and will immediately begin working with you to offer help. While listening to you, I will also be trying to assess whether I am the right person for you. One of the functions of a first session is to see if we are able to work well together or whether you might get more appropriate help by seeing someone who works in a different way.
It is my job at this point to help you find the right help for you; whether or not that is me. So, toward the end of the session I will invite you to say whether you have felt comfortable in the interaction between us; and whether or not my part in the conversation has been helpful. If we agree it is appropriate, I may suggest someone else whom you might more userfully work with. If we agree to work together, we will then arrange further appointments.
