— Taking the first step
Starting Counselling: What to Expect
Starting therapy often begins with a quiet sense of readiness to explore what is on your mind. To help you feel more at ease, this page walks you through how we begin—from your initial reach-out to our first sessions together.
Our process is simple and transparent: it starts with a warm, no-obligation 10-minute telephone call. This is simply a chance for us to chat about what is bringing you to counselling and to see if working together feels like a good fit for you—with absolutely no pressure to continue afterward unless you feel it is the right step for you.
If we decide to move forward, we follow this with a deeper 50-minute session where we can truly look at your situation. From there, we decide together on the best way forward for your ongoing support.
Knowing what to expect can make that first connection feel a little lighter. I invite you to read through the steps below, and whenever you feel ready, please get in touch to see if this feels like the right path for you.
The Process
Beginning therapy is a brave step. My goal is to make your introduction to counselling as smooth and reassuring as possible. Here is how we start working together.
Taking the First Step
Initial Contact
A free 10-minute telephone call to briefly talk about what’s bringing you to counselling and see if it feels like the right next step.
First Meeting
A 50-minute session where we explore your situation in more depth, talk about what you’d like support with, and think together about how counselling might help.
Ongoing Support
If we both feel it would be helpful to continue, we agree a plan for further 50-minute sessions, and review together as we go.
Confidentiality
A short, clear line that this is a confidential space, with some legal/safeguarding limits which are explained at the start.
Your First Consultation
The first consultation is a free 10-minute telephone chat. It is a chance for us to talk through what is bringing you to counselling and see if working together feels like a good fit for your needs.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT
- Your current challenges and how they feel day-to-day
- What you hope to move toward through our sessions
- Any questions you have about the therapeutic process
- Initial thoughts on a way forward tailored just for you
Your privacy is our priority
What we share in our sessions is confidential, providing you with a private and reassuring space to explore your feelings safely. Please know that there are some rare instances where I have a legal or safeguarding duty to share information—for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or concerns about a child’s safety. If this ever becomes necessary, I will always aim to discuss it with you first, keeping your well-being and safety at the heart of our work.
Privacy
Ethics
Trust
Ready to start?
There is no pressure to have it all figured out. We can simply talk about what you need and how I can help.
I aim to respond within 48 hours.