Frequently Asked Questions

I believe the quality of the relationship between you and the counsellor is the key to successful therapy and I work hard to achieve trust and a strong connection between us. It’s important that you get on with the person you are working with so you can be completely honest. Qualifications and experience are important but it’s also integral to your therapy that you can talk openly with me and feel that I understand you. So you can be assured I put this above all else in our sessions.

I have over 19 years experience working as a counsellor and psychotherapist. I am Accredited with the BACP and work to strict professional and ethical standards. You can find out what ‘accredited’ means here.

I am friendly and try to make our relationship as ‘normal’ as possible. I do talk! I don’t just sit and listen because I like to ask questions and find out as much as possible about you. 

Your first appointment is time to talk about:

• What is bringing you to counselling

• What you hope to achieve

• Allows me time to assess if I am the right person to help you

• Allows you time to decide if I am the right person for you

If you bring a problem that I think would suit a more specialised counsellor or service I will direct you to finding the correct source of support so that you get the best outcome possible.

The session isn’t free because it is a full 50-minute session and most people find it’s useful, even if we decide not to continue to another session together.

It really depends on what you are trying to achieve, and how you feel on the day. It’s like bringing in a jigsaw of what is going on in your life and together we try to put it together one piece at a time.

It’s ok if you just want to talk and download your over-thinking mind, I will listen and offer you space and understanding. At other times you might be up for doing something more concrete like exploring your patterns or working on reframing thinking.

Each session lasts 50 minutes.

Find out more about how counselling works, what therapists do and what happens in a therapy session here.

• Standard appointments are £65 (50 minutes)

• I also offer Mini Sessions - more details here

• Payment - I will send you an invoice before our session which will include details on how to make payment. For the first appointment you will need to pay at the time of booking to secure the appointment and subsequent counselling sessions should be paid for before or on the day of appointment.

• In person sessions take place from a welcoming therapy room based in Ramsbottom town centre, Greater Manchester, serving the wider Bury area.

• I also offer online or telephone appointments if that is your preference.

I have a 48-hour cancellation policy so if you cancel before this there will be no charge to cancel or rearrange your appointment.

If you need to cancel or change your appointment with less than 48 hours notice I will have to charge for the session. This is because I have saved a space for you in my diary and I can’t offer it to anyone else at short notice.

There is no straightforward answer to this. Some people come for a few sessions, other people come for months or years. It depends on what you need to work on and what we find out as we work together.

I offer short term (6-12 sessions) and long term (open ended) counselling. Whichever you decide I encourage you, in the first instance, to commit to working together for an initial period of 6 weeks before realistically evaluating the effectiveness of therapy. This is to allow time to build our relationship and gives time for me to have a clear understanding of what you are bringing to therapy and how I might help you. 

Regular sessions are 50 minutes and are usually weekly on the same day/time however this can be negotiated if required/appropriate. If you would prefer a longer appointment pro rata charges will apply.

Sometimes, it might be that you want a one-off session or we only need a few sessions, there is no obligation but 6 is usually a minimum to begin with.

I don’t work with couples. If you are looking for this support I can recommend my colleague Laura Muldoon at Ramsbottom Therapy or please visit the BACP Directory to find someone suitable for your needs.

I don’t work with children or young people. If you are looking for this support I can recommend Thriving Young Minds (who work from the same premises as I do). Alternatively please visit the BACP Directory to find someone who meets your needs.