Beginning counselling can be a difficult or confusing experience and often our clients will have questions about what they should expect when beginning therapy. Finding the right counsellor or psychotherapist is important to most people, and often factors like cost and location of appointments will play a role in deciding when and where to begin counselling.
All sorts of people find counselling useful and our clients are of all ages and come from all walks of life. Personal life events can cause anyone problems or distress and time spent with a therapist can be invaluable in sorting these issues out. Counselling is a popular and acceptable way of getting help and support for any life issues. There is no shame in getting counselling!
At your first appointment with us we will ask you a few questions, discuss some of the events that have brought you to therapy and look at how our services might be able to help. At this first meeting we will also determine which one of our therapists is the best match for you. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions you have about counselling or psychotherapy. In many ways, your first appointment with us will be straight-forward: we collect some information from you and help you determine your best options for going forward.
At the end of this initial consultation, you will be able to decide whether you would like to continue with further appointments. And, of course, all of our services are completely confidential.
You should expect confidential, professional appointments in a comfortable private setting including —
- An opportunity to make sense of your individual circumstances
- An experienced, qualified counsellor or psychotherapist who helps identify and resolve issues
- Warm, non-judgemental support throughout your therapy
- Development of greater self-awareness
- An end result that leaves you better equipped to cope with the future.
We understand that many people in London lead busy lives. We offer appointments Mondays to Fridays from 7.30 am until 8.30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8.00 am until 6.00 pm. Depending on your availability, it’s likely that we will have an appointment time that’s convenient for you. Appointment options can be discussed in more detail at your initial consultation.
We prefer face-to-face meetings with our clients where possible though we do offer telephone and online counselling for clients who live abroad or who cannot get to our practices easily. For more information about online or telephone counselling, please
continue here.Different therapies have different ways of addressing issues. For instance, cognitive behavioural therapy is about how you think and behave, and attempts to address recurring thought or behaviour patterns. In bereavement therapy, there would be more emphasis on supporting you through very difficult emotions. Psychodynamic counselling looks at your past while other therapies concentrate on the future. Everyone’s counselling needs are unique. We try to find the best approach for you.
We are trained and experienced in situations as diverse as coping with stress and anxiety, bereavement and loss, relationship problems, depression, personal problem-solving, sex and sexuality issues, addictions, eating disorders, concerns around work and career, self-esteem and self-worth issues as well as helping victims of child abuse and trauma. We employ male and female counsellors and psychotherapists, gay and straight therapists, relationship specialists, psychosexual therapists and counsellors and psychotherapists from different cultural backgrounds.
You have a right to any information you might require. Ask about the location, cost and duration of appointments. Ask about professional memberships or qualifications. It’s important to be clear about what you want.
Sometimes, depending on the issues and emotions that need addressing. We support our clients through many painful emotions.
Yes. Everything you discuss in therapy is confidential — between you and your therapist. There are certain legal exceptions to this policy and we will clarify these exceptions to you at your first appointment.
We do not judge behaviour or personal life experiences and we respect each client for their individual choices. We operate a policy of non-discrimination. We do not discriminate on grounds of age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, illness or ethnicity.
Costs for our services vary and our fees are reviewed annually. Fees for individual counselling and psychotherapy are based on each client’s personal financial circumstances. For more information or an updated list of our services and fees, please
continue here.During your first meeting trust your instinct because your relationship with us is at the heart of our work. If you are unsure about your counsellor please feel confident about making this known to us. A connection with your therapist is important and will enable you to get the best out of the time the two of you spend together.
Please provide any feedback regarding your experience with us to the director. All feedback will be received in confidence. We appreciate comments on our services. Email your thoughts to Dwayne Jackson at
[email protected] or telephone 0333 207 9330.
Yes. You may end your sessions whenever you feel necessary and without explanation. Or you may wish to take a counselling break and resume therapy, when ready, at a later date.
You can’t. A person cannot be ‘sent’ for counselling. They must choose to use the service and make the approach themselves.
If you proceed with therapy after your initial consultation, your room and your therapist will be reserved for you at an agreed day and time each week until your therapy ends. To make this possible and to maintain the consistency of your appointments payment is due for all sessions, including any you cannot attend. Sessions cancelled by your therapist will not be charged.
Please note that initial consultations (first appointments) that are cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged.
