Want to know more, check out our frequently asked questions

---

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 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 and feel you may be at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please contact the following: 

The Samaritans on 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/ 

Your doctors surgery 

NHS direct on 111, or in an emergency dial 999 or go to your local hospital A&E department. 

We also have useful website links, such as NHS crisis team, refuge and forward thinking crisis which can be found on our useful links.

What is our Policy, Privacy and Data Protection 

Please see our full Policy and Privacy Data page link

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

What are our fees - costs

Fees range from £50 to £60, 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 rate of £35. 

and those on low income/over 65's reduced fees of £40 per session.

Evidence may 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. 

What are our payment and cancellation terms 

I understand that somethings are avoidable, and try to understand where ever possible. 

Sadly, due to did not attend (DNA), counsellors require payment to be completed at least 48 hours before your session is due, in order to secure your session, and at least 48 hour’s notice for cancellations. 

If payment is not received within (48 hours before session) counsellors reserve the right to cancel the session (at counsellors discretion, the full or part fee may be charged).  

Please bear in mind that a DNA/cancelled appointment can have the following affects

It can pause or slow down therapy, or that of another client who could have potentially used the time slot. Sessions are scheduled in advance and are reserved for our clients, and generally room charges apply.

​

When a session is a DNA/cancelled without adequate notice, we are unable to fill those time slots with short notice, or fill these with a client on the waiting list.

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 can be found on the BACP 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, we only display 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

Integrative Counselling

Is generally a single, or a combination approach to counselling integrating the following therapies/theories - Person-Centred, Cognitive Behavioral 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

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.