Counselling Questions

Are you considering counselling? Do you have some counselling questions that are holding you back?.

On this page, we have answered the most commonly answered questions, but you may have some that are holding you back.

Together Lets Change Counselling, offers a free telephone consultation. This can be used to answer all your counselling questions and put your mind at rest. Ann-Marie will be available to talk to you.

What do you mean by ‘Counselling’?
Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms that cover a range of ‘talking therapies’, delivered by a trained counsellor who will work with you over a short or long term basis to help you bring about the effective change, and enhance your well-being. Counsellors work from a variety of theoretical orientations and approaches, based on there training. There is evidence that the relationsh...
When is the best time to see a counsellor?
It is most useful to come to counselling before a problem becomes so intense that it becomes a crisis and it can be challenging to make this decision, but it can offer you long-lasting change around your outlook and ways of thinking.
Who is the 'counselling' service for?
Individuals, Couples, Children and Young People (aged from 8 years upwards).
Shouldn’t I be able to get the support I need from friends and family?
Although you might get support from a variety of people, including your ...
Do I have to be referred by someone such as my GP, Manager or Occupational Health Adviser?
You can self-refer to TLC Counselling, in fact, I generally encourage this, as it usually means you feel more motivated to come, but there are referrals from GPS, Managers and Occupational Health Advisers as well.
How often and long do counselling sessions last?
Sessions are weekly and fortnightly, lasting 50 minutes per session.
Is there a cost for counselling?
It is £50 per session for individuals and £60 per session for couples. The cost for children and young people under the age of 25 is £40.00 per session. As a community counselling provider, TLC Counselling acknowledges that cost can sometimes be a barrier to therapy. I can offer sessions to help those of you on a low income or in receipt of benefits. This is determined by means-testing, you wil...
How many counselling sessions will I have?
This varies, as you will come for different reasons, and this depends on the depth of your emotional needs. You will initially be offered six counselling sessions, at which point there will be joint review progress to reflect on where you are currently at. Further sessions can subsequently be arranged if necessary, for as long as you need them.
I’m worried about feeling upset – is this usual?
It is only natural to feel worried about attending an appointment, never mind when you are meeting a stranger for the first time to talk about your feelings, this can be very scary! I will aim to ensure that you are settled in, as I have a lovely relaxing room that is private and I will explain everything you need to know every step of the way. I will check in with you to ensure that you are ...
What if I see someone I know in the building when I come for counselling?
Counsellors adhere to a strict confidentiality policy as stipulated by the British Association of Counselling, and Psychotherapy (BACP). Therefore, I will not disclose to anyone else within the building that you are attending counselling. The building can offer a variety of services therefore no one is going to question why you are there.
Will the counsellor write reports about me?
TLC Counselling does not provide reports I can, however, provide evidence of a attendance of the sessions, this must be agreed before the counselling commences. Brief confidential notes about sessions are kept to summarise session content, but these are not personally identifiable and are only used as a tool to help keep track of session themes/content. Information about data protection and con...
I really think I need some advice, will the counsellor tell me what to do?
The counselling aim is to help you draw on your inner resources and find your solutions. I will guide you on your counselling journey by giving you information if this is appropriate, but you will not be told what to do.
Heard a lot about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and someone suggested to me it might be useful – so what is it?
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), is often referred to in the media and by the medical profession. It was developed to work with depression and anxiety initially and then other psychological concerns in more recent years. CBT techniques will be incorporated as part of the sessions, where appropriate if this is deemed beneficial to you.
What are the counselling professional codes of ethics I follow?
As a professional member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists (BACP), I adhere to the BACP ethical framework and codes of practice. Alongside, being a registered member of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018.

TLC Counselling has done an alternative set of counselling questions, just in case you are unable to read the answers to the above questions on your device.

What do you mean by ‘Counselling’?

Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms that cover a range of ‘talking therapies’. The trained counsellor will work with you over a short or long period of time basis to help bring out an effective change.
Counsellors work on a variety of theoretical orientations and approaches, based on their training. There is evidence that states the relationship between you and your counsellor, is more important than the method used.

What is the best time to see a counsellor?

It is useful to come and see the counsellor before the problem becomes too intense, that it is a crisis. A counsellor can help you change your way of thinking.

Who is the ‘counselling’ service for?

At TLC Counselling, we accept everyone. Adults, children over 8 years old, teenagers, couples. We do discriminate against anyone.

Shouldn’t I be able to get the support from friends and family?

Although you might get support from a variety of people, including friends and family. It is sometimes useful to step outside your relationships and speak to someone who has no other involvement in your life.

Do I have to be referred by someone such as my GP, Occupational Therapist or Health Advisor?

You can self refer to Together Lets Change Counselling. In fact, I generally prefer this, as I feel you are more motivated in your sessions. You can also come to me by referral too.

How often and long do counselling sessions last?

At TLC Counselling sessions are weekly and fornightly, lasting 5o minutes a session.

Is there a cost for counselling?

It is £50 per session for individuals, £60 for couples and young people under 25 are £40 per session. As a community counselling provider, TLC Counselling knows that cost can sometimes be a barrier to therapy. I can offer sessions to those of you on a low income or in reciept of benefits. This is determined by means testing. you will be asked to show your benefit award letter or payslips.

How many counselling sessions will I have?

This varies , as you will come for different reasons, and it depends on the depth of your emotional needs. You will initially be offered 6 counselling sessions. This will then be reviewed jointly to see how you are progressing. If further sessions are needed, they will be booked.

I’m worried about feeling upset. Is this usual?

It is only natural to feel worried about attending an appointment, never mind when you are meeting a stranger for the first time, to talk about your feelings, this can be very scary! I will aim to ensure that you are settled in as I have a lovely relaxing room that is private and I will explain everything you need to know every step of the way. I will check in with you to ensure that you are comfortable and we will take it at your own pace.

What if I see someone I know, when coming in for counselling?

Counsellors adhere to a strict confidentiality policy as stipulated by the British Association of Counselling, and Psychotherapy (BACP). Therefore, I will not disclose to anyone else within the building that you are attending counselling. The building can offer a variety of services therefore no one is going to question why you are there.

Will the counsellor write reports about me?

TLC Counselling does not provide reports I can, however, provide evidence of a attendance of the sessions, this must be agreed before the counselling commences. Brief confidential notes about sessions are kept to summarise session content, but these are not personally identifiable and are only used as a tool to help keep track of session themes/content. Information about data protection and confidentiality will be explained at the first meeting.

I really think I need some advice, wlll the counsellor tell me what to do?

The counselling aim is to help you draw on your inner resources and find your solutions. I will guide you on your counselling journey by giving you information if this is appropriate, but you will not be told what to do.

I’ve heard a lot about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT) and someone suggested it may be useful to me – what is it?

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), is often referred to in the media and by the medical profession. It was developed to work with depression and anxiety initially and then other psychological concerns in more recent years. CBT techniques will be incorporated as part of the sessions, where appropriate if this is deemed beneficial to you.

What are the professional counselling codes of ethics I follow?

As a professional member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists (BACP), I adhere to the BACP ethical framework and codes of practice. Alongside, being a registered member of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018.

If you would like any further information, or you are unsure about how I could support you, please feel free to give me a call on 07775 918572.  If you would prefer to e-mail me