General Information

What types of counselling do you offer?
Individual talk therapy both in-person or remotely.

What is your educational background and experience?
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Plymouth
Advanced Diploma in Counselling accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
LGBT+ Awareness (Accredited course completed through Intercom Trust)

I regularly attend workshops and seminars, as continual professional development is at the heart of my practice. This ensures that I keep up to date with theories and research to support my client's wellbeing and enhance my knowledge and skills.

Scheduling and Appointments

How do I schedule an appointment?
Contact through email or phone call.

What are your office hours?
Generally 10 am - 6 pm.

Do you offer virtual or online counselling sessions?
Online video calls are primarily via Google Meet. If a different platform is preferred, this can be discussed.

Costs and Insurance

How much do sessions cost?
£50 per session. This is both for in-person and remote sessions.

What forms of payment do you accept?
Bank transfer is preferred but cash is also accepted for in-person sessions.

Counselling Process

What should I expect during my first session?
In the first session, we will go over the contract and I will take some basic details about you. We will then explore what has brought you to counselling and consider if there are any goals you would like to set for our work together.

How long does each counselling session last?
60 minutes for remote sessions and in-person at Newton Popplefield.

55 minutes for in-person sessions at Barnfield Crescent.

How often will I need to come to counselling?
Weekly or fortnightly generally works best for most people. However, I recognise this does not work for everyone and circumstances can change. The frequency of sessions can always be discussed and changed to meet your needs.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Is what I share in counselling confidential?
Sessions are conducted in the strictest confidence. Confidentiality would only be broken in the following instances:
1. Where you give consent for the confidence to be broken.
2. Where I am compelled to by a court of law (e.g., to prevent a serious crime or to protect you).
3. Where there is a case of possible or actual serious physical harm to either yourself or others.

How is my personal information protected?

GDPR is adhered to for all data held by Fellow Traveller Therapy. Notes are stored securely and are kept anonymous.

Suitability and Effectiveness

How do I know if counselling is right for me?
Sometimes it can be helpful to step back from the challenges in your life and to take some time to talk things through.
Counselling provides a space where you can be listened to, validated and understood. You can explore past and present difficulties at your own pace with compassion and support. Whatever brings you to seek support at this time, a warm, accepting and supportive therapeutic relationship can allow you to bring unconscious patterns of thinking and feelings into awareness.

What if I don't feel comfortable with my counsellor?
You can stop seeing your counsellor at any time. You are encouraged to discuss any discomfort with the counsellor as it may be therapeutic beneficial to do so but is certainly not required. If you have complaints regarding your counsellor, you can report them through the NCPS website.

How long will it take to see improvement?
It varies depending on the presenting issues and individual circumstances. For some, 6 sessions is enough to notice progress, for others it is long-term work. Expectations and goals will be explored and discussed with the counsellor so that you get what you need from the sessions.

Specific Populations

Do you work with children and adolescents?
Not at the moment. Currently, clients should be 18+.

Do you offer LGBTQ+ affirmative counselling?
Yes, LGBTQ+ clients and issues are welcome here. I have worked for The Intercom Trust, an LGBTQ+ charity for over 100 client hours and have completed their LGBTQ+ training. I also receive supervision from a supervisor with experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals.

Do you provide support for people with disabilities?
Yes, those with disabilities are very welcome. Please let me know what support you need and I will ensure that I do everything I can to help you access services.

Additional Services

Do you offer workshops or group therapy sessions?
I hope to offer group therapy or workshops in the future, however, this is not currently available.

Can you provide referrals to other specialists?
Yes, if it becomes apparent that you need further support, for which I am not the best person, then I will refer you to a more specialist organisation or therapist.