Although empathic listening is an important part of the process there is so much more to counselling than that.  Our work together may help you to see things from a different perspective, explore possible changes, coping strategies and options, helping you to move forward in the way you want to.

So what happens in the first session?

The first appointment is in a slightly different format to subsequent sessions as it is a general assessment of your situation.  It will involve me gathering background information and asking what brings you to therapy.  It is always helpful if you can prepare for the first session by thinking about what you want to get out of therapy.

We will spend a few minutes talking about the terms and conditions of counselling such as confidentiality.
At the end of the first session you can decide if counselling/psychotherapy is right for you.  You are under no obligation to continue after the first session if you don't want to.