
Deciding to seek counselling can be very daunting. If you have never had counselling before, you might not have any idea what to expect and what exactly you should be looking for. You may have even had counselling previously but it didn't quite work out for you. The relationship you have with your counsellor is one of the most important aspects in it's effectiveness. I hope to offer you some tips on what to consider when choosing a counsellor for yourself.

Choose a counsellor from a reputable site
To ensure your counsellor is fully qualified and registered with a professional body, head to a reliable site where checks have already been made. Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a counsellor and advertise freely on the internet. Here are some of the main ones sites to use:
Do they have any experience with the issue you need help with?
Counsellors often list the areas they work with so it would be a good start to have a look at those to see if you can relate to any. Read through their advertisement to see if it feels as though they could understand what you are going through. If there are any links to websites or social media, click on these and have a look through. All this information will help you to get a feel for them and whether you feel like you could relate to them. If you like everything you see, but your particular issue isn't listed, then send them an enquiry to see if they could help.
Do they offer a consultation?

Many counsellors will offer a free consultation. This is a great way for you to get to know them a little more before you make a decision. I prefer potential clients to take me up on the consultation offer because it is important to me that they feel comfortable with me before they begin counselling. Make a list of questions to ask and obtain all the information you need to proceed.

Consider the location
Is the location accessible for you? Consider your time constraints, any transport issues, and how easily this will slot into your life on a weekly basis. You may even prefer a location that is away from where you live for your privacy. Or a counsellor on your doorstep could be much easier for you because of time or lack of transport.
The type of counselling/therapy being offered
There are many different types of counselling available and different ones will suit different people. If you are unsure, this would be a good things to discuss in a consultation or by filling in an enquiry.
How much do they charge?
Counsellors rates will vary across the UK. Is the cost affordable for you? Do you need to budget for a certain number of weeks? This is something else to consider discussing during a consultation with a potential counsellor. Some counsellors will have discounted rates for low income families, students etc. It is generally preferred that clients will have a session once a week, however some counsellors may be flexible with this depending on your circumstances.
When are they available?
If you are quite specific about when you are available for counselling, communicate this to the counsellor. You might need to check that a specific slot is available every week at the same time. On the other hand, you might need a counsellor to be flexible because of your changing work commitments and time constraints. It is best to check this information before proceeding to ensure you are not having to end counselling and find someone else.
I hope this has helped a little in your search for the right counsellor for you.
Please see the rest of this website for details about what I offer as a counsellor. If you have any further questions or would like to book a consultation, please click the link below.
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