Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much is a session?

Each 1 hour session is £50.

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How do I pay?

You can pay by bank transfer before the session or cash at the beginning of each session.

 

Can I have a brief chat to see if I like you?

Yes, absolutely! Please email me to book a free 15 minute chat on the phone. It might help you sense whether you would like to try some sessions with me. You don't need to go into detail in this session as to why you'd like to try counselling and I can tell you a bit more about how I work.

 

How do I make an appointment? What are the next steps?

Send me an email or complete the ‘Get in touch’ box above here. You don’t need to explain why you would like to have counselling (although you are welcome to if you would like to). Let me know if you have specific times you can or can’t meet, and if you’re looking for walk and talk or online/ on the phone sessions. I aim to reply within 24 hours (but often it is sooner) and will offer you a time to meet and I’ll send you a bit more information about how I work. Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have.​
 

Is counselling confidential? 

What we talk about in counselling is confidential. There are some exceptions that I will explain in our first session. If you are worried about this before our first session, please do drop me an email.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions that people need is very individual. Many people start with 6 sessions and then we can review it as you go along. There is never any obligation to continue if it doesn’t feel right for you.

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Where are the sessions?

Outdoors, online or on the phone or a mixture to suit you. You can decide this as you go along.

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Where are walk and talk sessions? 

Rodborough or Minchinhampton Common on the edge of Stroud. I will send you a google maps location pin and directions to meet. Carparking is free. If you're coming by bus, the Cotswold Green bus number 40 stops outside the Prince Albert pub which is only a 5 minute walk to where we meet on Rodborough Common.

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Online:

All you need is a private space to talk from. I will send you a link to the online video call service I use. There is no need to download anything. If it all feels stressful to you, I’m happy to be on the phone to you to talk you through it if that would help.

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On the phone:

All you need is a private space to talk from. Talking from a car on the phone is fine if that is the best way for you to get somewhere private to talk from. 

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What happens if it’s raining?

At the beginning of having walk and talk sessions, we discuss what you would like to do when it's raining (and the different sorts of rain you might be happy to walk in). If you are happy to wrap up in waterproof clothes and still be outside, then I am too. Alternatively, we can either have that session online or on the phone or rearrange it, if we can find a different mutually convenient time that week, or to postpone it to the following week, so please let me know how you feel about these options. It is always surprising to me how very few sessions in the year are actually not able to happen due to the weather. So often I notice how the weather looks much worse when we look at it from indoors than when we are out in it! Walking in wet weather can also bring out different feelings and moods in us too. I know a couple of routes to walk from where we meet, which are much more sheltered, which can be useful when it is very wet or windy.

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How far and fast do we walk?

I will take your lead on the speed you would like to go. I generally encourage us to walk quite slowly as this can help us to listen inside as we walk. There are several benches to sit on which feel quite private, with beautiful views which we can incorporate into our walk if you would like this. Please let me know your requirements.

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Is it flat or hilly?

We have a few different options from where we meet of terrain from flat to hilly, all with beautiful views and easy, free parking. Please let me know your requirements. 

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What about being overheard outside?

Although the common is a public place, there are huge spacious areas with very few people and if someone comes close by I generally encourage us to pause our talking a moment to maintain privacy, resuming when they have passed by. Our sessions can be a mixture of walking and sitting on a bench with privacy with beautiful views.

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Where do I park?

There is ample free parking where we meet on both Minchinhampton and Rodborough Common. I will send you directions and a pin on Google maps to follow for our first session.

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How does walk and talk therapy compare to therapy in a room?

Many people say that they find walking alongside someone as they talk can feel less intimidating than sitting in a room with someone, that it’s less intense. Eye contact can feel easier and silences and pauses can feel very natural. Being in nature can feel very grounding and there is more of an alongside feeling of us together with whatever you are bringing. The regular movement of walking can help you to process and regulate your emotions too.

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What if I bump into someone I know?

Please let me know if you are concerned about this. We can discuss how you would like us to be if you see someone you know when we first meet. It might feel ok to say a simple hello or acknowledging smile and walk on. 

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Animals on the common

During the summer months, cows and horses graze on the common. I've always found that they keep themselves to themselves and have very little interest in and a lot of tolerance for the humans they share their space with. They seem to behave in a much more relaxed way on the common than when they are in fields, perhaps because they are not confined to a small space. Dogs are also on the common, sometimes off the lead. Please let me know if any of this is concerns you.

 

What if I don't know what to say or where to start?

It is very normal to feel anxious about starting therapy, about meeting me for the first time and talking about what is making you reach out. It may all feel overwhelming and confusing and all of these feelings can make it hard to know what to say and where to start. I can completely understand all of this and will do my best to help you feel at ease. It's really good to go slowly and gently.

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