FAQs

My office is at 121 Giles Street, Leith, EH6 6BZ. It’s a very cosy place. I will send directions and transport suggestions to you.

Online I use the Zoom platform. I review this decision regularly to ensure it is secure enough. I send you a link so you can join the meeting through your internet browser – no need to download or sign in. The waiting room and passcode functions are used to ensure privacy. 

 

Usually we would meet once a week, and I would always recommend this for at least the first few sessions so we can build momentum. We can meet fortnightly if this is more suitable for you. I am able to be flexible with timing, offering a set time each week, or being responsive if your schedule changes. (I used to work shifts, I know how tricky it can be!)

I charge £50 per hour. This is to be paid in advance by bank transfer, but if this is not possible, we can work out a different way. I can provide invoices on request.

 

There is one concessionary rate slot per week of £30. If this is available, you can have that slot! I don’t ask for proof of income.

 

 

I hear this question often yet my answer is I don’t know! It depends on the situation, how much time you are able to spend reflecting between sessions, what comes up. Over the years I’ve counselled, I’ve had clients making sufficient change that they were able to stop counselling after 3-6 sessions. Others, I’ve seen for over 20 sessions. The decision about how many sessions to have is yours. If you decide you can afford a certain number, we will work to finish within that time. We can make progress in a small number of sessions, but may have to focus on only one area.

 

I have been counselling for five years in the third sector and in my private practice. I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with a Christian perspective. I am a Registered Member of BACP, who are a governing body for counsellors and psychologists, and I adhere to their Ethical Framework. This means there is someone to hold me to account for my work. I am experienced in a range of areas such as anxiety, relationship difficulties, loss, managing change, low self-esteem, dissociation, bi-polar disorder, autism, ADHD, as well as working with ‘third culture’ children, and those who have experienced domestic abuse, and sexual abuse. I undertake CPD in line with BACP requirements.

 

Because I’m not you! If I told you what to do, you might find yourself doing something you do not want to. Often clients ask me what they should do or what do I think? It’s understandable to want another opinion, and there are plenty of people in your life who will readily share that with you. But my role is to help you work out what you want.  You need to have that space to consider the possibilities and what makes sense for you.

No. I’m not going to chat to my friends about what you tell me. I’m not using any client examples for my blog. It is really important that you can trust me and client confidentiality really matters to me. There are two exceptions which I discuss when we agree to start counselling. One legal exception is that I am allowed to breach confidentiality if you or someone else is at risk of harm. The other exception is supervision. All counsellors have supervision – we go to discuss our work which includes all sorts of things. I may discuss my experience of working with you but I’m not going to tell my supervisor everything you have said, or any personal information such as your name etc.

 

In counselling, I work with your values, your interests, your goals – what is important to you. If you have Christian faith, this can be another facet of the work. This may look like asking you about how you see God, and how you think He sees you. Is there a Biblical story that is resonating with you? Do you think God is saying anything to you about your situation? It may be that we do not speak much about faith at all. I have experience of being part of church so I understand terminology, church dynamics, issues around misuse of Scripture etc.

 

Yes! My being a Christian allows me to offer Christian counselling, but most of my clients wouldn’t necessarily know about my faith. I’ve worked with people of various faiths and none, including those who have left Christianity. Counselling does involve the person of the counsellor, and our relationship. I come with my worldview (influenced by my faith) that you are a unique individual, of immense value, who has the capacity to change. But I work with your worldview, your values, what is important to you. My role is not to change your mind or give advice so my personal faith is not part of the conversation unless specifically requested.