±«ÓãÊÓƵ

Currently, I have some availability within my practice. I am quite flexible regarding my hours of work and happy for weekend and early evening online counselling sessions.  My final session starts at 8pm ending not later than 9pm. 

Face-to-face sessions can be arranged at an office in Callendar House, Falkirk on Fridays and Sundays from 10am to 4:30pm. All other sessions are online/phone using Google Meet. 

I work with both short and long-term clients. My approach is based upon the needs of each individual.

Having spent more than 20 years in the British Army, I offer a 10% discounted rate for Armed Forces Veterans.

Person-Centred Counselling

What I offer is person-centred counselling. This means helping others become empowered to discover solutions themselves to issues of concern in a supportive, empathic, warm and caring environment. I will not judge you in any way; you are unique as a human being and my role is to help you be who you want to be.

My Approach

As a counsellor I offer you my honesty and respect while we explore issues you feel you would like to bring to counselling, at the times that we have agreed. An essential element in successful counselling is the relationship between counsellor and client, so during the first sessions I work with you to develop trust. 

Helping you develop 

As a person-centred, ±«ÓãÊÓƵapproved counsellor, I seek to enable clients to develop self-resources for making desired changes in their lives. I do this without being directive, rather, helping the client work out the best way forward for themselves. 

Empathy, Trust and Respect

I seek to achieve this through empathic understanding and unconditional positive regard. This means I respect individuals and their capacity for self-development regardless of their beliefs, gender, age, history, culture, neurodivergence, ability or background.  

For example, early on we may examine how you feel about yourself and, if necessary, what past events might have led you to have this self-concept. At the appropriate time, I would then invite you to look for possible ways in which you could move forward to a more positive place. What you choose to share with me is entirely up to yourself; I do appreciate that some past events may be difficult to talk about.

What can you expect from me? 

• To be available at the agreed time.
• To start and end on time.
• To offer a quiet, appropriate and undisturbed space.
• To maintain safe, professional boundaries.
• To regard all contact and information as confidential unless I have reasonable doubt concerning actual safety of yourself or others.
• To communicate genuine respect and trust in your ability to develop your self-healing resources.
• To encourage client autonomy; You, the Client, are in control.
• To work within the ±«ÓãÊÓƵguidelines for regular supervision.
• To abide by the ±«ÓãÊÓƵCode of Ethics.
• To review therapeutic work with you and our relationship regularly.
• To inform you in advance either by phone or email should any situation arise which may cause a session to be delayed or cancelled. 
• In the unlikely event of my needing to cancel for any reason, an alternative appointment will be offered ASAP at a time best suited to yourself.

What would I expect from you?

• To attend punctually.
• To give a minimum of 24 hours’ notice when cancelling/ changing an appointment (or the full fee becomes payable).
• To pay for the session in full within 24 hours of each appointment.
• Communicating with myself only through the contact details provided. Contact outside agreed counselling sessions needs to be limited to making, changing or cancelling an appointment, unless by prior arrangement.
• To agree to give permission to contact a third party if I have serious concerns about risk to yourself, my client, or others.
• To discuss with myself when you feel you are ready to end therapy.
• To let me know if you are in or are considering entering another therapeutic relationship. 

Initial Contact

Prospective clients email or phone me using the contact information provided. I would normally then arrange a short phone call so that we can get to know one another a little before we have our first session. In addition to introducing ourselves to each other, this provides you with an opportunity to let me know directly what benefit you believe you may get from counselling.

Assessment

Depending upon the circumstances around your counselling needs, I may request that you to complete an assessment, which will typically be in the form of a questionnaire followed by a discussion. The purpose of assessment is to ensure that I can provide you with a service that meets your needs. If I think it might help, the assessment questionnaire may be sent by email for you to complete. This is normally completed during our first session.

First Session

Our first session will be spent getting to know one another. It is essential that we build a trusting relationship whereby you feel able to discuss any personal issues of concern. 

We shall also discuss how many sessions you may require. We agree the terms and conditions of our counselling sessions and sign a contract.  This will be copied and sent by email or, if the first session is face-to-face, then handed over directly once we've both signed. For overseas clients, the contract will be subject to UK law and legal jurisdiction.

Duration of Counselling

The number of sessions you think may be required is entirely up to yourself. You may feel that you would like to have one session as a trial before continuing...that's fine! You are in control at all times!  We may initially agree a fixed number of sessions, perhaps on a set time each week at the best time for you, taking into account your other ongoing commitments. I would also need to ensure that I would be available at the time and day of the week you request.