Frequently Asked Questions
Q Are You A Qualified And Experienced Counsellor And Therapist?
A Yes, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy a Relate Certificate in Couple Counselling and a Professional Certificate in Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity. In addition to these I hold Professional Certificates in Family Counselling, Young People's Counselling, Telephone Counselling and Online Counselling. Along with my professional qualifications I have over 24 years' experience working with clients in private practice and with Relate.
As part of my continued professional development I attend Professional Development Training/Courses/Workshops/Conferences to ensure my skills, knowledge and practice are kept up to date and best practice.
A Yes, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy a Relate Certificate in Couple Counselling and a Professional Certificate in Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity. In addition to these I hold Professional Certificates in Family Counselling, Young People's Counselling, Telephone Counselling and Online Counselling. Along with my professional qualifications I have over 24 years' experience working with clients in private practice and with Relate.
As part of my continued professional development I attend Professional Development Training/Courses/Workshops/Conferences to ensure my skills, knowledge and practice are kept up to date and best practice.
- Levels 1, 2 & 3 Counselling Practice & Theory
- Relate Certificate in Relationship Counselling
- AFT Certificate in Family Therapy
- Therapeutic Counselling Certificate
- Post Graduate Diploma in Psycho Sexual Therapy
- ATSAC Professional Certificate in Sexual Addiction
- The Hall Recovery Course for Sex Addiction
- Level 6 Certificate in Clinical Supervision
* All qualifications and certificates available to view, upon request.
Q Do You Belong To A Professional Body?
A Yes, I am an accredited and registered Counsellor and Sexual & Relationship Psychotherapist, and belong to, four professional organisations and adhere to their codes of ethics and practice. These are the College of Sexual Relationship Therapists (COSRT), Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity (ATSAC), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) www.bacp.co.uk and The National Counselling Society (NCS)
Q Do You Belong To A Professional Body?
A Yes, I am an accredited and registered Counsellor and Sexual & Relationship Psychotherapist, and belong to, four professional organisations and adhere to their codes of ethics and practice. These are the College of Sexual Relationship Therapists (COSRT), Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity (ATSAC), British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) www.bacp.co.uk and The National Counselling Society (NCS)
These organisations require evidence of qualifications and ethical professional standards and I am bound by their codes of conduct when working as a Counsellor/Sex Therapist.
I have regular supervision, both individually and as part of a group of qualified Counsellors, working within the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) guidelines for ongoing professional development.
I hold a current Enhanced DBS Certificate and I have Private Indemnity Insurance.
Q What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
A Provided you give at least 48 hours notice then there is no charge and I will rearrange the session. If you give less notice then I reserve the right to charge part or the entire session fee.
Q How Can I Pay?
A You can pay by bank transfer.
Q When Do I Pay?
A You pay for the session 24 hours before each session.
Q Will I Have A Contract?
A Yes, I will provide you with a contract for us both to sign which sets out our joint commitment and your rights. The contract however, does not commit you to a set number of sessions. The number of sessions you commit to is entirely your choice.
A Provided you give at least 48 hours notice then there is no charge and I will rearrange the session. If you give less notice then I reserve the right to charge part or the entire session fee.
Q How Can I Pay?
A You can pay by bank transfer.
Q When Do I Pay?
A You pay for the session 24 hours before each session.
Q Will I Have A Contract?
A Yes, I will provide you with a contract for us both to sign which sets out our joint commitment and your rights. The contract however, does not commit you to a set number of sessions. The number of sessions you commit to is entirely your choice.
Q Will The Sessions Be Confidential?
A Yes, I am bound by my accredited and registered bodies Code of Ethics and Principles of Good Practice for Members and subject to its Complaints Procedures. I will not disclose anything from or about you to anyone unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
I do discuss my work with my supervisor, to ensure that my work is of the necessary high standard, but never use any identifying details about clients.
Q How Many Sessions Will I Need?
A For Relationship, Individual & Family Counselling I recommend a minimum of 6 sessions, by this time we can review if the work is helpful for you. You may decide further sessions may be useful after this time, but this is entirely up to you.
Psychosexual Therapy and Sex/Porn Addiction typically lasts 15 to 20 sessions, there is an initial indepth assessment process, and then if treatment is to follow, a minimum of 12 further sessions may be needed, however, this depends on the nature of the problem that is presented as well as other factors.
Q How Long Is A Session?
A Each session lasts 50 minutes.
Q How Frequent Will The Sessions Be?
A The normal pattern is a session once a week but this can be varied if necessary. For example sessions can be fortnightly but in order to support you most effectively, the sessions must be regular.
Q Can Counselling Really Help Me?
A Research evidence shows that nearly all counselling clients report some benefit and most say they have being helped significantly.
I am a well-qualified and very experienced counsellor and I will do my best to help you; another key factor is how able you are to participate in the counselling.
Q How Do We Know If It's Relationship Counselling Or Sex Therapy We Need?
A If you are frequently arguing, feel unhappy in your relationship or wonder how you could improve your relationship, then relationship counselling may be helpful for you.
Generally speaking, if your general relationship is sound, you communicate well and listen to each other and neither feel resentful, but there is a sexual difficulty impacting on your relationship, then sex therapy could be helpful.
If sex isn't great, but neither is your general relationship then it may be that relationship counselling may be useful, with a view to thinking about sex therapy once the relationship issues are resolved and if the sexual problem remains an issue.
However, every relationship is unique and I would endeavour to provide a thorough assessment to ensure you received the most appropriate form of help for you.
Q I'm In A Same Sex Relationship, Can I Be Sure A Positive Attitude From You?
A Absolutely, my approach is positively affirming, having worked extensively and continuously with clients from the LGBTQI Community.
If you can't find the answer you were looking for, or have any questions or concerns then please don't hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to help and do my best to try and answer any questions I receive.
For more general questions about Counselling and Sex Therapy and the sort of issues that can be tackled, and common concerns, the, Relate, BACP, COSRT and ATSAC sites are excellent resources.
A Yes, I am bound by my accredited and registered bodies Code of Ethics and Principles of Good Practice for Members and subject to its Complaints Procedures. I will not disclose anything from or about you to anyone unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
I do discuss my work with my supervisor, to ensure that my work is of the necessary high standard, but never use any identifying details about clients.
Q How Many Sessions Will I Need?
A For Relationship, Individual & Family Counselling I recommend a minimum of 6 sessions, by this time we can review if the work is helpful for you. You may decide further sessions may be useful after this time, but this is entirely up to you.
Psychosexual Therapy and Sex/Porn Addiction typically lasts 15 to 20 sessions, there is an initial indepth assessment process, and then if treatment is to follow, a minimum of 12 further sessions may be needed, however, this depends on the nature of the problem that is presented as well as other factors.
Q How Long Is A Session?
A Each session lasts 50 minutes.
Q How Frequent Will The Sessions Be?
A The normal pattern is a session once a week but this can be varied if necessary. For example sessions can be fortnightly but in order to support you most effectively, the sessions must be regular.
Q Can Counselling Really Help Me?
A Research evidence shows that nearly all counselling clients report some benefit and most say they have being helped significantly.
I am a well-qualified and very experienced counsellor and I will do my best to help you; another key factor is how able you are to participate in the counselling.
Q How Do We Know If It's Relationship Counselling Or Sex Therapy We Need?
A If you are frequently arguing, feel unhappy in your relationship or wonder how you could improve your relationship, then relationship counselling may be helpful for you.
Generally speaking, if your general relationship is sound, you communicate well and listen to each other and neither feel resentful, but there is a sexual difficulty impacting on your relationship, then sex therapy could be helpful.
If sex isn't great, but neither is your general relationship then it may be that relationship counselling may be useful, with a view to thinking about sex therapy once the relationship issues are resolved and if the sexual problem remains an issue.
However, every relationship is unique and I would endeavour to provide a thorough assessment to ensure you received the most appropriate form of help for you.
Q I'm In A Same Sex Relationship, Can I Be Sure A Positive Attitude From You?
A Absolutely, my approach is positively affirming, having worked extensively and continuously with clients from the LGBTQI Community.
If you can't find the answer you were looking for, or have any questions or concerns then please don't hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to help and do my best to try and answer any questions I receive.
For more general questions about Counselling and Sex Therapy and the sort of issues that can be tackled, and common concerns, the, Relate, BACP, COSRT and ATSAC sites are excellent resources.