Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Who is Counselling for

Although stress and anxiety can be a natural part of life, and relationships are also an important part of our lives they can sometimes be challenging or overwhelming, and have a negative impact on our mental and physical health.

Counselling provides the opportunity to take a breath, to think, explore yourself, and aims to support you to manage your mental wellbeing, along with finding alternative ways of coping. A counsellors aim is to support and walk with you, to create positive changes for a happier, healthier, and empowered you.

Counselling can be for everyone, but if you have experienced trauma it's important to seek the right support from a correctly experienced, and qualified trauma therapist, to build trust and rapport, this is paramount to keeping you safe.

Ameliorate Counselling is not an emergency or crisis service, if you are experiencing distressing thoughts, suicidal thoughts, and/or feel you may be at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please consider contacting the following:

NHS 111 for a mental health crisis, and select the mental health option 2, or in an emergency dial 999 or visit your local hospital A&E department, or your doctors surgery.

There are also useful website links, such as NHS crisis team, refuge and forward thinking crisis, as well as support for veterans, which can be found under our useful links.

Contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or visit their website https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/

Contact the crisis text line 24 hours a day 7 days a week - text SHOUT to 85258. https://giveusashout.org/

Papyrus support line - 0300 102 2470 - 24/7 hopeline or text HOPE to 88247 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/help-me

Combat Stress

Here to help 24/7

Free helpline: 0800 138 1619

Text: 07537 173 683

Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk

What is our Policy, Privacy and Data Protection - I am also a member of the ICO

Please see our full Policy and Privacy Data page link

https://amelioratecounselling.co.uk/privacy%2C-data-%26-policy

Ameliorate Counselling work with Adults

I understand with our current climate weekly sessions are not always financially viable, I will try to offer fortnightly session as an alternative where ever possible.

What are my fees - costs

Counselling fees range from £55, dependant on the type of therapy required.

Our full fee list can be found on the below link

https://amelioratecounselling.co.uk/fees

I also offer counselling students a lower fee of £38 for online weekly sessions, or £43 for face to face weekly sessions. (I am afraid I do not offer monthly sessions).

I also offer a block booked session discount (6 or more sessions, 10% discount), only if paid for and booked in advance of session 1. (Does not include Single Session Therapy, students or already discounted/lower fees).

(Example, 6 x £55 = £330, discounted fee to £297)

and key workers, NHS employees, low income or over 65's - reduced fees of £50 per session.

Evidence may also be required.

Counselling fees are subject to review, and it may be necessary to increase fees. Current clients will be informed with adequate notice of any fee increases.

Membership to a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists practising in the UK

I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - MBACP, and of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) MNCPS, and can be found on the BACP and NCPS register.

I am also disclosure and barring service (DBS) checked, and Insured to practice.

Signing a therapy contract - agreement

As part of counselling, you will need to sign and complete a counselling/therapy contract agreement, and provide information relevant to safeguarding. This agreement is between yourself as the client and therapist, and is private and confidential.

A counselling contract includes - terms of agreement, session length, payment policy, and cancellation policy, and you will need to complete various information which is protected by the data protection act 2018 - to include, GP details, and contact details along with an emergency contact and some personal questions relating to therapy.

At the end of our sessions together, I ask for feedback which supports me to improve my practice. Occasionally feedback is display on the Ameliorate website, displayed only with your first name and surname initial, or first name only, please do let us know if you prefer not to share feedback.

Types of Counselling/therapy/techniques offered Include, but not limited to.

Integrative Counselling

Is generally a single, or a combination approach to counselling integrating the following therapies/theories - Person-Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic.

Integrative counselling draws on techniques from different types of therapy, and as an integrative counsellor I do not believe there is a one size fits all therapeutic approach, instead I tailor counselling to your individual needs and circumstances, and use elements of different approaches to help you explore and cope with your concerns. I use a single approach, or a combination approach, and may include additional study, qualifications or cpd.

Trauma Therapy - Three Phase Trauma Model:

1: Establishing safety, stabilization of symptoms and building rapport

2: Reprocessing traumatic memories, and/or feelings

3: Integration of experiences, and memories into the self and the future.

Trauma therapy is generally a long process therapy.

The Flash Technique

Dream Completion

Adoption Counselling

Emotional Freedom Technique - (EFT- Tapping therapy)

Mindfulness Counselling

SSP - Single Session Therapy

SSP or single session therapy, much like it's name is working through a single concern/issue in one session. For example, being anxious about travelling, before the session you will be required to complete a list of questions, and then based on your answers and any information you provide, we would then work through that single issue in one counselling session. SSP is generally a double session (1 hour 40 mins) at a minimum.

It is a very focused way of working, and is cognitive behavioural therapy based (CBT), which means getting to the bottom of things very quickly. This type of therapy may be helpful for some issues but not for others, such as trauma - PTSD, CPTSD which is generally a long process therapy.

If you think SSP may suit your needs please do get in touch for further information.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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