The free 30-minute initial consultation is a chance for us to meet without committing to ongoing counselling. You can tell me a little about what has brought you here, ask questions and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking with me. You do not need to arrive with everything prepared or tell me your whole story.

That’s completely fine. Many people feel unsure about where to begin. You can start with whatever feels most immediate, or simply tell me that you don’t know where to start. We can find our way into the conversation together.

Tears are a normal part of counselling for many people, although not everybody cries. You don’t need to apologise, stop yourself or worry about making me uncomfortable. Equally, there is no expectation that you should cry.

No. Earlier experiences can sometimes help us understand what is happening in the present, but counselling is not an interrogation of your childhood. We will focus on what is useful and relevant for you, and you remain in control of what you choose to talk about.

My role is not to make decisions for you or tell you how you should live your life. I may help you explore possibilities, notice patterns and think about choices, but the decisions remain yours.

Confidentiality is an important part of counselling and I will explain it clearly when we begin working together. There are some legal, ethical and safeguarding limits to confidentiality, which we will discuss so that you know where you stand.

Counselling is often arranged at a regular time so that there is continuity in the work.

There is no fixed answer. Some people find shorter-term work helpful for a particular difficulty; others choose to work for longer. We can review together how the counselling is feeling and whether it continues to be useful.

Yes. You are not locked into counselling. If you feel ready to finish, or decide that counselling is no longer right for you, we can talk about that openly and, where possible, plan an ending together.

Because I work locally, it is possible that we may occasionally see one another outside the counselling room. To protect your privacy, I would not normally approach you first. You are, of course, free to acknowledge me if you wish. We can talk about this at the beginning of our work.