Your Questions, Answered

General

  • The duration of counselling varies individually, depending on the severity of each person's issues; some may require only a few sessions, while others might need more extended support.

    Together we can regularly evaluate the progress made to determine the necessity of continuing with the sessions. 

  • Having an initial appointment before starting the regular counselling sessions is important because it allows us to get to know each other and establish a foundation for the therapeutic relationship.

    During this initial meeting, we can together have a look at your needs, issues, and goals, which helps in creating a personalized plan for our sessions. It also provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions not answered on this website, voice concerns, and set expectations about the counselling process, including for example session frequency and duration. 

  • I am available for consultations between 11AM - 12PM on weekdays. You can book a Free Consultation at the next available time that suits you. If these times are not suitable, please Get In Touch to make an alternative arragement.

  • In terms of confidentiality, whatever is discussed during the counselling sessions remains in the counselling sessions.

    This confidentiality is crucial for building trust and ensuring you feel safe to openly share any thoughts and feelings. However, there are exceptions to this rule: for example expressing any alarming intentions to harm yourself or someone else, there would be a legal and ethical obligation to break confidentiality to prevent harm and ensure safety. 

  • Click the ‘BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION’ button in the top right corner of this website to choose an available time slot that suits you.

    Alternatively, send me a text, Whatsapp message or an email to let me know your interest and we can make an arrangement that suits you.  

  • I will send you an invoice showing the date of the session and the total amount to pay before the session takes place. This total amount can be bank transferred to the Cognitive Counselling bank account or then paid via credit/debit card (Apple Pay is also accepted) depending on your preference. All payments and personal information are handled securely and confidentially.

Sessions

  • Online sessions take place via Zoom or WhatsApp, providing a secure and convenient way to access therapy from wherever you feel most comfortable.

    You are welcome to keep your camera on or off during sessions. Some clients prefer to use audio only, and that is completely fine.

    If we are meeting on Zoom, a link will be sent to you by email the day before your session so you can be reminded of your session being the next day. 

  • Phone sessions offer a simple and private way to access therapy if you prefer not to meet online. For those hesitant to start therapy and speaking to someone about your personal problems, this form of therapy provides an anonymous way to speak about intimate issues. 

    At the agreed session time, I will call you on the phone number you have provided. The session does take place in the same way as any other counselling session, giving you the space to talk openly and work through whatever you would like to bring to therapy, but without the need for video or internet access.

  • Text-based sessions take place through WhatsApp, allowing you to communicate in writing rather than speaking. Some people find this a helpful option if they feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings through text, especially with the anonymity it can help to feel while texting. 

    At the agreed session time, we will connect through WhatsApp and communicate by message during the session. This provides a space for you to reflect, share what is on your mind, and work through things at a pace that feels more comfortable for you.

    • Individual therapy sessions are either 50 minutes or 90 minutes long.

    • EMDR sessions are either 60 minutes or 90 minutes long.

    • Family/Couples therapy sessions are 90 minutes long. 

EMDR

  • EMDR is generally considered a safe and well-established therapy when it is delivered by a trained clinician. As with any trauma-focused approach, it is important that the work is paced carefully and that you feel supported throughout the process.

  • EMDR should not be physically painful, but it can bring up strong emotions or temporary discomfort as distressing memories are processed during the session and sometimes afterwards as well. I will help you stay grounded and adjust the pace if things feel too intense, to make sure it does not hurt to a level you find too uncomfortable.

  • The number of EMDR sessions varies from person to person, depending on the nature of the issue and your history. Some people notice progress in a small number of sessions, while more complex trauma often takes longer and may need additional preparation work. It is difficult to estimate an amount of time as well due to blocking beliefs, feeder memories and other issues coming up as the sessions progress.

  • EMDR can be helpful for many people, especially those dealing with trauma, anxiety, phobias, grief, or distressing memories, but it is not always the right fit for everyone. We can discuss together in a free 30-minute consultation to see if it is appropriate for you and I may recommend a different approach or some preparation first.

  • You do not usually need to prepare in a detailed way, but it can help to come with an openness to talk about what is troubling you and any questions you may have. We will go through the process together, discuss your history at a comfortable level, and make sure you feel ready before starting EMDR work.