Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about counselling?

This FAQ page explains what therapy involves, how sessions work, and what to expect when you reach out for support. Here you can find answers to some questions that people commonly want to know before they begin counselling or are looking for a counsellor who they might want to work with. Take a moment to browse the questions and answers. If there’s a question you have that is not answered here, please feel free to send a message via text or whatsapp or get in touch on the contact page.

I’ll be happy to answer any other queries you might have.

You can contact me here if you want to find out more about counselling or how I might be able to help you.

Find the answers to some your questions by clicking on the arrows below

Is counselling right for me?

Counselling can provide support when you’re experiencing difficult thoughts, feelings, or circumstances. You may want help looking at things differently, or you may need support processing through difficult feelings or experiences. Perhaps you’re feeling confused, anxious, stuck or you just want to understand yourself better. Many people come to counselling because they have noticed patterns of thinking or ways of being that they would like to explore. Maybe you want to process a change in your life or gain some clarity around what you want.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Candlewood Counselling, or check out the Counselling Services page to learn more about how I can support you.

Please be aware that this is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a crisis, you will likely need to speak with your GP or NHS mental health services. Here is a link to NHS emergency support services.

What kinds of issues do you work with?

I work with adults on a broad range of issues, such as anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, relationship issues, low self esteem, trauma and life transitions and changes. You could click here to find out more about specific issues I can help you with.

If you are seeking counselling for a specific issue, click here for more information on how therapy could help you

If you’re not sure counselling is right for you, please feel free to get in touch and find out more about counselling and how it may be beneficial for you.

You may also want to learn more about how I work and who I work with.

Is everything in counselling confidential?

Yes. Anything you share in counselling is 100% confidential except for a few safety related laws that I will explain in our first session. You can learn more about your privacy in my Privacy Policy page.

How much does counselling cost?

I charge £50 per session. Payment is usually made in advance online, or before the start of the session by cash or card. I offer a limited number of concessionary spaces—please ask if cost is a concern for you. Visit the Sessions and Fees page for more information about costs and what happens when you begin therapy.

How do I book a counselling session?

You can contact me via email at [email protected] or call me on 077554 356807 and leave a message. You can also whatsapp me on this number.

Alternatively, you can use the contact form here.

After you’ve contacted me, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible, to arrange a time to have an initial chat.

This is to explore what brings you to therapy and how I may be able to help.

It will last about 20 minutes and is free. There’s no pressure to sign up to anything at this point – you can take your time to decide if I sound like someone you could work with.

The next step is to take some brief details and complete an initial assessment form. This helps us establish what you’re hoping to achieve from therapy.

Once we agree to move forward, we’ll schedule your first session and I’ll confirm this by email or text.

I’ll also send you some paperwork by email for you to look over. This gives you a chance to read it before we discuss it in your first session.

Sessions last 1 hour and take place in a safe, confidential setting.

After this, we will arrange your first session.

To secure the same time each week, you can book a block of sessions in advance. Or you can book week-by-week, if you prefer.

Find out more about how the process works on the Sessions and Fees page

You can pay for a session here.

What happens in a counselling session?

In counselling sessions you can say whatever you like – I’ll listen without judgement as we explore and understand what’s going on in your life and the way you feel about it. I can help you gain clarity (or a new perspective) on whatever problem you are facing and start to find a way through it.

There’s no “labelling” or “analyzing” or being told what to do – its a journey you make with guidance, and you decide how fast to travel and what to look at. Read more about how I work here. If you want more information about how our first conversation might work, see the Sessions & Fees page.

How many counselling sessions will I need?

It’s different for everyone. Some prefer a few sessions of support focussing on a specific issue. Others prefer longer-term support, sometimes because their circumstances and history are more complex. This is something we’ll talk about and decide together. We’ll review your how you’re feeling about your progress in therapy and then make decisions based on what feels right for you and what you need.

What if I don’t feel a connection with my counsellor?

The counselling relationship is at the heart of your therapy. You need to feel able to trust your counsellor and start to develop a therapeutic relationship. If you don’t feel I’m right for you after the initial sessions, please don’t hesitate – I’ll help you find someone who is. There’s more advice about how to choose a counsellor in this blog post.

What happens if I need to cancel a session?

Life happens, so there may be an occasion when you need to cancel a session. I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel. You can let me know by sending a text, an email or calling 07554 356807 and leaving a message. Where possible, I’ll try to reschedule a session, but late cancellations may still be charged. Visit the Sessions and Fees page for more information about sessions.

Does counselling really work?

Sometimes just having someone listen to you and understand what you’re going through is enough to help you feel better and see things more clearly. Counselling may help you feel better about yourself, your self-image and how you relate to others. Counselling can also help you gain a clearer perspective on a situation over time or change unhelpful habits in your thinking or responses. Counselling can also help you learn how to deal with life’s struggles with more confidence. Check out How Therapy Helps page to learn more about how counselling may be able to help you.

Looking for further information?

If you are looking for more information about counselling, or about some of the issues and problems we sometimes experience, check out