Doesn't counselling only work face-to-face?
How long will it take until I feel better?
What is your background? Are you credible?
I trained and qualified from Liverpool John Moores University with a 1st class post-graduate diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice in 2021, and I am on a register that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority as a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, one of the professional bodies for counsellors in the UK (find me on the NCS accredited register at this link). I have undergone specific training with the BACP to develop the skills and competencies to be able to counsel remotely in online or telephone.
My approach to counselling is based on the work of psychotherapist Carl Rogers and the person/client-centred approach. I have counselled individuals with common mental health issues in both a community settings, and in complex mental health rehabilitation.
No. While it may be an individual's preference to receive counselling in-person, the research suggests that online/telephone therapy is as effective as face-to-face, and that since the COVID-19 pandemic online counselling is surging in popularity. Overall, if the arrangement of online therapy is of benefit to you and you like that style, then all for the better!
Should I feel nervous about going to counselling?
You may very well feel nervous, but the reminder from me is that there is nothing else you have to do than turn up and talk - no big expectations. You might be feeling some pressure in yourself about what will unfold, and that is completely normal. After all, it unknown to you what the session might reveal for you. It might also feel like a risk to share deeply personal and meaningful experiences. I'm ready to encounter you in any position you find yourself in for therapy.
The content and the pace/direction of each sessions is completely in your hands, and no pressure will ever be placed on you to go further than you are ready. Ethical practice is at the forefront of what I establish with my clients; to do no harm.
The process of engaging in counselling and the effect it has on our perceptions is very hard to determine as a rule. I would be lying if I promised you a guaranteed noticeable difference of any kind after a certain amount of sessions. Based on my experience with past clients, 6 - 8 sessions seems to be a common average, but I have also had clients benefit enormously from a single session. I would like to state: my hope is that counselling with TalkCCT takes you the minimum amount of time for you to feel a positive change in your mental wellbeing. To get the best out of the counselling experience with TalkCCT, be clear that you are ready to be the one responsible for guiding the attention of therapy in the places that need addressing the most.
Are you going to pry into my past and personal details?
No. The degree to which I am interested in sensitive historical details or personal matters, is dependant solely on what you choose to include in your session. With everything you decide to tell me, I have the express purpose of understanding as closely as possible what this means and how this relates to you. Prying for details is incompatible in TalkCCT, where the only details that are of significance is what you, the client, nominates as important. Providing you the freedom to explore what might be usually left unsaid - and unheard - in daily life is my priority.
Who is TalkCCT suitable for?
Client-centred therapy is an approach to therapeutic counselling which is not aimed at solving a particular problem. Instead, whatever problems you may have are addressed through clear self-examination in a talking relationship that is defined by freedom and acceptance. It is more about how we initiate change in the whole of ourselves, that does not get rid of the problem, but alters the relationship with it.
This has a couple of implications that can help you decide if TalkCCT is right for you:
. So long as you do not feel satisfied with how things are, and you feel change on a conscious level is necessary, TalkCCT is an appropriate counselling service that can help you do that, regardless of what your presenting issue is: anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, addiction, relationship issues etc.
. You are not required to work on a fixed aim or outcome with me at the start that I expect you to reach through therapy.
What happens if my internet goes down, or Skype doesn't work?
Fortunately we're living in times of increasing access to software and technology that is only improving, but that still doesn't stop the possibility of technical difficulties. Usually a brief pause or a restart and the connection is refreshed and can continue as normal. In the unlikely instance where neither party can sustain a solid connection online and it is no longer possible, the session will resume via telephone.
Part of the counselling booking form includes a space to include your phone number, and this will be the plan B for if there is a total disruption with the online connection. Sometimes some lag can be expected on a call and this passes momentarily, but if the line goes down completely, you don't have to worry, you can expect a call almost immediately on the number you provide to continue the session.
The time that makes up each counselling session is devoted to giving you the time and space to express whatever it is that you feel is important to talk about. Different themes may come up at different times, so you might stay with the same topic for a while, or it might be that exploring one thing leads to another equally important aspect for you to bring up. There really isn't a right way of navigating the counselling hour as the client. It is enough to talk about whatever you feel like is necessary - even though at times, you could feel unsure about what you need to talk about. During this process, you may begin to discover a series of changes in what you are feeling and how you are perceiving the topic at hand. It's also fine if you want to prepare exactly what you would like to address in counselling, we can follow that path and see where it takes us.
What can I expect from a session with TalkCCT?
No. The length of how long you would like to receive counselling from TalkCCT is determined by your needs only, and no attempt will be made however subtle to convince you to return if you choose to not return for another session.
Do I need to commit long-term?
Do you have a question that wasn't covered in this FAQ?
Please visit the contact page and I'll get back to you via email.
