I offer a free half-hour introductory session as an opportunity for us to have a chat, for you to ask any questions you may have - bearing in mind that there are no silly questions when it comes to counselling - and maybe for you to talk a bit about why you want to come for counselling. At the end of the half-hour we can book an appointment for another session, or you may want to go away and think about it first.

Then what?

If you do decide that you would like to work with me then we will talk about how often you would like to come. Each session lasts 50 minutes and we will usually meet once a week. It is you who determines what it is you want to talk about, how often we meet, and how many sessions we have; you are in control of your counselling.

We will agree a 'contract' which is the structure upon which the counselling will be based. We'll talk about what happens if either of us has to miss a session, about confidentiality, what will happen if we happen to meet in, for example, Tesco - all the 'nitty-gritty' of the therapeutic relationship.

I work from my home in a tranquil, rural setting just outside Blackboys (between Uckfield and Heathfield). There is ample parking on my driveway at my home. For your initial session I will meet you outside at the agreed time. For subsequent sessions I will wait in the counselling room. Please telephone or email me for directions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is essential in a counselling relationship - you need to know that I will not tell anyone what we talk about. Any issue about our work that I take to my supervisor is treated with the same high level of confidentiality.

In certain circumstances I may be obliged to break confidentiality - we will talk more about these in your introductory session.