Get In Touch
Please read on for some guidance about getting in touch and what to expect, both in our initial phone or email contact and then in the first session. Taking the first step can be daunting. But once you’ve done it, you may well feel a sense of relief, as well as hope that things really can improve for you.
By Phone
If you choose to phone me, my hours of work are between 9.30 and 18.30 Monday to Friday. I will answer the phone if I’m free, but you may get my answerphone. If you do, just say that you’re ringing about counselling and leave your name and number. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, which should be later that same day or at least within the next 24 hours.
When we do speak on the phone, the first thing I’ll do is to check that you’re somewhere private and safe to speak. Then we’ll discuss what’s prompted you to call me and what you’re hoping for from counselling. You don’t need to go into a lot of detail at this stage, unless you want to. As we talk, we’ll both be getting a bit of an idea about whether we want to progress to an initial counselling session. I’ll be checking that what I offer is the best thing for you, or if another service might support you better. At the end of the call, we’ll decide whether to go ahead – or you can always go away and think about it, if you prefer. If we decide to have an initial session, we’ll book that in and also choose whether that will be in-person or a virtual session.
By email
If you contact me by email, I’ll reply as soon as I can and at least within 24 hours. Please say briefly in your message what you are hoping for in coming to counselling and a little bit about your mental health situation. You don’t need to go into detail, unless you want to. I’ll reply by email within 24 hours and we’ll exchange a few emails to organise the first session, choosing whether it should be virtual or in-person.
This kind of contact may suit you better if you find talking on the phone difficult or if it makes you feel pressured. Also, email may be best if you’ve already decided that you want to go ahead with that first session.
The Initial Counselling Session
Throughout the first session, we’ll be getting to know each other and deciding whether to commit to working longer with each other. We’ll also start work on what’s troubling you.
Before the session I will have sent you a copy of my Counselling Agreement and we’ll talk through that, either at the start of the session or later on, whichever seems best. I’ll also explain about confidentiality.
For the bulk of the session, we’ll look at what’s prompted you to get in touch at this time and what you are hoping to get out of counselling. I may ask about your life more generally and find out what kind of emotional support you have, either from friends or family. We’ll talk about how therapy works and what you can do to make the most of it. We’ll also look at what your goals are from having therapy.
At the end of the session, we’ll decide whether to have further sessions and I’ll explain about the different options. Once again, you don’t have to decide this immediately. There’s no pressure. If you prefer you can go away and have a think about what you would like to do.
To contact me by phone, please ring 07896919141
Or by email it’s realityshiftcounselling@pm.me