It is very important that you feel safe and comfortable with your counsellor. Research suggests that how well you connect with the counsellor is likely to determine how successful the outcome is. This may mean meeting a few different counsellors before you begin. Only you can decide, so do not be afraid to ask questions or request further information before making up your mind. Counsellors understand and respect this and would encourage you to do so. I offer a free initial consultation to help you with this decision.

Sharing a problem with an impartial person can be easier than with a relative or friend, and can assist in offering a different way of looking at things. Counselling provides a safe place where you can explore the difficulties you face in your life, without fear of judgement. Your counsellor will work alongside you, helping you gain insight into the choices available to you.

Most professional counsellors are members of one or more professional bodies like the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) or UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a registered member of BACP which verifies the qualifications of all members. Being registered with a professional body is your guarantee that counsellors have achieved a substantial level of training and experience.

There is no ‘right’ answer to this question! It is an individual decision and can vary enormously. It mostly depends on three main factors: what brings you to counselling, what you want to get out of the sessions, and how deep-seated the issues are. For some people a couple of months are sufficient, while others find they benefit from longer term work. You, as a client, would guide the counsellor as to the best time for sessions to conclude. This would be discussed during the initial appointment and at regular points throughout the counselling work.

Yes, all information is regarded as confidential. There are some exceptional circumstances where this might not apply, for example if your therapist felt you were a risk to yourself or to others, when they might be ethically required to break confidentiality, but they would try to discuss this with you first. All notes in connection to the therapy will be kept in a locked cabinet in accordance with the Data Protection Act and you have the right to access these at any point.

The training between psychotherapy and counselling differs. Historically psychotherapy was seen as more 'in depth' and longer term than counselling, but these days the boundary has become very blurred. There is so much overlap that many counsellors and psychotherapists use the terms interchangeably.

Trust is an important part of the therapeutic process. It is also emotive to many people (especially if early relationships in our life have been untrustworthy). Learning to trust may be a useful therapy goal in itself and, as trust builds in the therapeutic relationship, you are likely to reveal more about yourself. Don’t forget that the therapy sessions are yours and you have the right to choose the pace at which to share.

Email lesleyhurst1@outlook.com and I will try my best to answer as fully as possible.