“What is therapy if not an examination and re-examination of the self in an effort to reorient one’s values and by honest introspection achieve insight into ways of satisfying the drive for complete self-actualisation and to achieve the strength and courage to be oneself?”
Virgina Axline
Connecting with you
1
First Session
The aim of the initial session is to explore your expectations of the counselling relationship and for us to consider whether we might work together towards achieving your goals.
2
Ongoing Sessions
Sessions will usually take place at the same time each week and last up to 50 minutes. The time is yours to explore your thoughts and behaviours in a non-judgemental therapeutic space. In our increasingly demanding lives where the focus is so often on others’ needs, this is incredibly valuable, and many people find that this alone helps them feel better. We will review goals and progress at regular intervals. Working online creates a safe space for us to form a deep therapeutic bond, enhancing our sessions together.
3
Confidentiality
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work to their ethical framework. This means that I am governed by confidentiality and data protection guidelines among others. You can be sure that I work in a professional and respectful way and that your identity would never be compromised. *
* within the limits of the framework.
Couples
Counselling can help relationships through the many unforeseen changes that life can bring. From new family members, blending existing families, through to ill health, loss and grief.
Couples counselling can help improve listening and communication and harvest an environment where feelings, thoughts, and frustrations can be shared and encouraged into the conversation.
Life can throw up many stressors that can lead to difficulties in partnerships, and all partnerships struggle at some point. Taking time to seek help and find space where you can be helped back into communication or walked through a tricky breakdown can be invaluable in maintaining an open-hearted relationship.
We can also work to find communication in your relationship if you have decided to part. In this way, any children and their well-being can be held at the centre of our work, and a deeper and shared understanding behind the relationship breakdown can be reached.
Useful Questions
What is Counselling?
Psychotherapeutic counselling can help you talk openly about your thoughts and feelings while providing a safe space to reflect and work through problems you might be facing in your life.
It aims to support you in reaching self-awareness while developing healthy coping strategies when facing challenging situations. Often a person seeks counselling at a time in their life when they are struggling, feeling low, stuck in repetitive patterns of behaviour, or because they have experienced trauma.
It may be that you seek counselling to improve your relationships with others, whether family or work. Psychotherapy can help ground you, allowing you to work through difficult situations and learn from them.
What will happen in the first session?
Starting counselling can be a little scary, walking into the unknown. The first session is a chance for us to get a sense of each other. Often involving having a conversation about what is on your mind, setting goals for the therapy, and our relationship together.
I will ask you to tell me about yourself to understand your past and present and how you are coping in your current situations. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions required depends on a person's individual needs and trauma. It will differ from person to person and rely solely on the nature of the issues in therapy.
Although it is recommended after the initial session that a person commits for at least six sessions.
We'll discuss a contract during the first initial session, and it is recommended there be two weeks' notice to finish therapy to work towards a healthy, managed end.
How will I know if you are the right counsellor for me?
It is crucial to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable. Before choosing a therapist, I would recommend looking at therapist's profiles and understanding their processes.
Every therapist will have their way of working.
I hope my website resonates with you and you choose to contact me.
We can have an initial free 15-minute phone conversation where you can ask any questions and generally get a sense of how we might work together.
Are our sessions confidential?
Our sessions are entirely confidential, barring a few caveats where I am legally obliged to notify the third party.
I would only notify the third party if I considered you or anyone else to be at serious risk of harm or break the law, such as acts of terrorism.
Where possible, I would discuss breaking confidentiality with you.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?
Appointments can be rearranged or cancelled with 48 hours notice, without incurring any fee.
If you cannot give 48 hours notice, or you miss the session, payment will be due in full. There are exceptions in the case of severe and unpredictable personal emergencies. I will consider these on a case-by-case basis, and I will always try to offer another appointment if you have to cancel at short notice. If we cannot find another mutually convenient time in the same week, the full fee will be payable.
If you're unable to attend our session in person, for example, I will be available online due to travel or weather conditions but unable to cancel the appointment.
If I cannot attend the appointment, I will advise you by email at the earliest opportunity. No fee will be payable in this circumstance.
If you are more than 10 minutes late for a session, I will contact you by phone to check if you are running late. As long as you let me know you are on your way, I will wait for the appointment duration. I cannot run over your session time as it may impose on other clients' sessions.
If I do not hear from you, I will wait for 15 minutes and follow up by email. If you do not respond to my contact attempts, I will usually contact your emergency contact.
Can I take a holiday break?
I would request that you give me at least two weeks' notice of holiday leave, and I will provide you with the same courtesy.
It would be helpful if you did not take a holiday break during our initial sessions.
I am happy to take on clients on a term-time only basis, where requested.
How do I pay for sessions?
You can make a payment via bank transfer. My welcome pack will include my bank details.
I politely request that bank transfers are made a minimum of 48 hours before the session.
How do I book a session?
If you would like to discuss whether counselling is for you, gain more information about how I work as a psychotherapeutic counsellor or set up an initial free 15-minute phone call or a first appointment, please submit an enquiry on my contact page or email: MirandaPleasenceTherapist@gmail.com.
If you choose to go ahead, we will agree on a mutually suitable 50-minute timeslot for our sessions. Clients usually reserve the same appointment time on a weekly recurring basis. To secure your first appointment, please make the initial payment by bank transfer before the start of the session.