Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions About Online Counselling Answered 

Everything you want to know about sessions, neurodivergence, and how I work

💬 How do we get started?

Please email me to arrange a free 20-minute exploratory call. This is a relaxed, no-pressure opportunity to meet, talk about what’s bringing you to counselling, discuss your availability, and ask any questions you might have. It’s also a chance for both of us to consider whether working together feels like a good fit. 

🛋️ What happens in the first session?

If you decide to go ahead, the first session will involve going over our counselling agreement and beginning our work together, wherever you’d like to start. We can also talk through any reasonable adjustments that might help you feel comfortable and supported. There’s no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. 

🔒 What is confidentiality?

Everything you share in therapy is confidential. I protect your personal information in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
There are rare exceptions where I may need to break confidentiality, such as if there’s risk of serious harm or to comply with the law. This is explained fully in our counselling agreement, and we can discuss any concerns.

☂️What is neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence is a non-medical term often used to describe ways of thinking, processing, learning or experiencing the world that differ from what is considered typical or dominant. It is often associated with autism and ADHD, but people use the term in different ways and may include a range of neurological, developmental and cognitive differences.

I take a neurodiversity-affirming approach, which means I don't see neurodivergence as something that needs to be fixed or removed. At the same time, I recognise that neurodivergent people can experience very real difficulties, particularly in environments that aren't designed with different ways of thinking and processing in mind.

🧘‍♀️ How should I prepare?

Find a private space where you won’t be interrupted or overheard, and make sure your device is charged with a reliable internet connection. You may also find it more comfortable to be hands-free.

You’re welcome to jot down anything you’d like to bring to the session, but you don't need to prepare anything. You can arrive with a plan, follow a particular thread, or simply see what comes up in the moment.

You’re also welcome to use creative forms of expression in sessions, such as drawing or writing, or bring something you’ve created between sessions if that feels helpful.

📆 How often should I have therapy?

Sessions are usually weekly to begin with, as regularity can help us build consistency, trust and momentum. However, I recognise that weekly therapy isn't realistic or appropriate for everyone. We can talk about what feels manageable for you, including fortnightly sessions where appropriate.

We’ll review the frequency of sessions as our work develops, rather than assuming it needs to stay the same throughout therapy.

⏱️ How long are sessions?

Each session lasts for 50 minutes, often called the "therapeutic hour."

🤝 Can we make reasonable adjustments to how we work?

Absolutely. I welcome conversations at any stage about what might help the space feel as supportive and accessible as possible for you. This could include adjustments to timing and pacing, sensory needs, movement or breaks during sessions, communication preferences, the use of visual aids, taking your own notes or verbal summaries, or support with transitions into and out of sessions.

If there’s anything else that might help you engage more comfortably or effectively in therapy, you’re very welcome to bring it into our work and we can explore what might be helpful.

🪴 How long will we work together?

There’s no fixed number of sessions. Some people choose open-ended work and review as we go, while others prefer to work towards a particular number of sessions or focus. The work may also shift and change over time.

However we work, I encourage us to plan an ending session so we have space to reflect on the work and bring it to a considered close. You’re also welcome to return to counselling in the future if that feels helpful and appropriate.

🗂️ Do you keep records of sessions?

Yes. As part of providing safe and ethical counselling, I keep brief factual notes of our sessions. I also keep relevant assessment forms and correspondence where these form part of your clinical record or are needed for risk management, safeguarding, clinical decision-making or professional purposes.

Your records are stored securely and handled in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Information is not shared unnecessarily and, where relevant, may be shared with referring organisations or other professional contacts in accordance with the arrangements for your counselling. There are also limited circumstances where information may need to be disclosed without your consent, such as serious risk of harm, safeguarding concerns or legal requirements. Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you first.

Client records are retained for 7 years after counselling ends, after which they are securely destroyed or permanently deleted.

You have rights in relation to the personal information I hold about you, including the right to request access or correction and, subject to certain legal limitations, deletion. You can find more information in my Privacy Policy.

🔄 Would you refer me to another service or counsellor?

Sometimes. If, after talking with you and considering your needs, I feel that another practitioner, service or level of support would be better suited to you, I’ll talk this through with you. Where appropriate, I’ll help you identify suitable onward support.

🚨 What if I’m in crisis or need urgent help?

I’m not able to provide crisis or emergency support. If you are at immediate risk of harm, please contact your GP, NHS 111, attend A&E, or call 999. You can also contact Samaritans on 116 123, free of charge, 24 hours a day.

🗓️ What is your availability?

I offer weekday appointments, with availability changing over time. We’ll discuss what days and times work for you during your exploratory call and see whether we can find a regular session time that suits us both.

I don’t currently offer weekend sessions.

🎨 Can I work creatively?

Absolutely. Talking is not the only way we can explore your experiences. If it feels helpful, we can incorporate creative forms of expression such as drawing, writing, music, imagery or objects.

There’s no expectation to be “creative” in therapy, either. It’s simply an option if another form of expression helps you communicate or explore something that feels difficult to put into words.

🤔 How do I know you’re the right counsellor for me?

There’s no way to know for certain until we’ve had a chance to talk. The therapeutic relationship is an important part of the work, so our free exploratory call is an opportunity for both of us to consider whether we feel like a good fit.

If we work together, we’ll continue to check in about how the process is feeling. If something doesn’t feel right, you’re always welcome to bring that into the work. Sometimes that can be useful to explore together, and sometimes it may mean that a different practitioner or approach would be more appropriate.

What matters is that you feel able to be yourself, ask questions and feel supported in the work.

🌍 Do you work with clients outside of the UK?

I only work with clients who are located in the UK at the time of sessions. This is due to legal, safeguarding, and privacy reasons.

📚 What is the BACP?

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is a professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. I’m a Registered Member of the BACP and work in accordance with its Ethical Framework, alongside undertaking regular supervision and continuing professional development.

You can find more information about the BACP and its Ethical Framework on the BACP website here.

📣 What if I have a concern or complaint?

If you have a concern about our work together, I encourage you to raise it with me so we have an opportunity to talk it through. If we’re unable to resolve things, you can follow the BACP complaints procedure. Further information is available on the BACP website. 

Can’t find what you’re looking for? That’s okay. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you get in touch. You’re welcome to contact me or book a free exploratory call and we can talk through any questions you have.