What is the difference between counselling and therapy?

The terms ‘counselling’ and ‘therapy’ are often used interchangeably by organisations, public bodies, the media and individuals. While there is a debate about separating the two terms out from each other, currently practitioners use either due to their own personal preference - both counsellors and therapists work with their clients to help with the challenges they face and make positive changes in their lives.

What is counselling/therapy?

Counselling/Therapy offers a safe, non-judgemental space where you work with a counsellor/therapist to look at your individual challenges that you are facing and ways to manage - we’ll have a conversation in a space that is entirely yours and gives you time to think. Counselling/Therapy can help you to focus on the ‘here-and-now’ issues that you face such as relationship issues, bereavement or social anxiety - this can be short term work to help you manage day to day. It also provides an opportunity to explore the deeper roots of your issues such as past experiences, childhood or previous trauma and how that affects you in your life now - usually longer term work to help you understand yourself better and help you to change negative patterns into positive.

What kind of counsellor/therapist are you?

I’m an integrative counsellor/therapist. This means that my approach to therapy include different ‘modalities’ the main approaches being - Psychodynamic / CBT / Humanistic. Much like a single tool can’t fix every problem, the same is true for approaches in therapy. By ‘integrating’ different modalities I am able to adapt the therapy to you and your individual needs in each session:

Humanistic is focused on the ‘here-and-now’, working with you on your presenting issues, understanding you and providing support.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can provide strategies to change how you might negatively react to challenges by helping you understand how an event affects your mood, emotions, thoughts and behaviour.

Psychodynamic explores the roots of your problems, your past experiences leave a mark and affect how you think, make choices and react in the present. By processing and understanding past events it can help you to heal from past trauma, provide insight into repeating patterns and build your emotional resilience.

What do we talk about in sessions?

Anything that matters to you. Sessions are your space to explore/process/discover whatever is on your mind - that could be things such as relationships, work, family, friends, challenges you are facing, an event that has happened either recently or in your past. You may find that you have a current issue that you would like to work on first, then as you start to make positive changes, you may then want to explore deeper roots to the issue in further sessions. You’ll probably have some sessions where you know precisely what you would like to talk about, in others you may not be sure - both are ok and part of the work that we do together.

Is counselling confidential?

Yes. I understand that it can be hard to open up if you are worried that others will find out what we discuss, however, everything that we explore and discuss is respected and stays private. As a member of BACP I am bound by their Ethical Framework to protect a your confidentiality and any notes that are kept are anonymised to protect you.

Do you tell my GP that I’m having counselling?

Our counselling session are private and so I am not required to inform your GP. Very rarely it might be necessary but I would always endeavour to talk to you about it first - more information can be found here.

How often do I need sessions?

Therapy works best when it is consistent and continuous. If we work together, you’ll have a session every week at the same time - this way you can benefit best from our sessions as it provides stability and support no matter what is going on in your life. There will be times when something comes up and you can’t make a session, for example, holidays or work commitments - that’s ok, we will work together to accommodate the missed session/s so that it doesn’t interrupt your progress.

How long does it take?

It depends on you, what your needs are and what you want to achieve. Sometimes you know what you are looking for and might only want to do short term work to address a specific issue. At other times you may be unsure of what you need but know something isn’t working for you, longer term work allows you the space and time to explore your issues at your pace and at a deeper level of understanding.

Does it work?

For most people, yes, but not everyone. Counselling is a commitment that you make, it can get tough and uncomfortable at times as you might be exploring painful emotions, experiences, thoughts, but by sticking with it and working with me, you’ll be able to have a safe space to process these feelings and help yourself to make positive changes to your life. You’ll only know if you try it out.

Is it better to have sessions Online or In Person?

Its down to personal preference and both have their own advantages.

Online: Studies have shown that Online therapy can be just as effective as In Person therapy. You don’t have to spend money or time on travelling to and from the session, you get the convenience of being in a space that you are already comfortable in, you don’t have to be local to me, you get a much wider choice of therapists, you might find it easier to talk to someone who you know you won’t bump into on the street.

In Person: You might like to have a space that is outside of your house, it offers a different environment, you have time to mentally get ready for the session on your journey to the building and process what we have discussed on your way back to home/work after the session, some people feel easier talking about their issues when they are in a neutral setting for themselves.

Can I try a few sessions out?

Yes you can! If you are interesting in working with me, get in touch and you’ll have a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss your needs and you can ask me any questions you might have. From here we can have an initial session where you can see what it is like to work with me. From there it is up to you - you can choose to not continue further or book your next session and go week to week or as a new client, you can prebook 6 sessions up front and pay for 5. We will regularly review our work together to make sure we are on track with your goals and we will discuss more sessions if you feel they are needed.

When do you work?

My current availability:

Online Therapy - Monday at 10am, Wednesday at 10am.

In Person Therapy (Croydon Consulting Room) - Fully Booked.

In Person Therapy (Beckenham Consulting Room) - Fully Booked.

Is there a waiting list?

Depending on the day and time that you would like sessions there may be a waiting list. Online Therapy will have the most immediate availability.

What do you charge and when do I pay?

Online Therapy - £50 per session

In Person Therapy - £65 per session

Payment is due before or on the day of our session. If you would prefer to pay monthly that can be arranged.

I require 48 hours’ notice of a cancellation via a text or email to avoid an invoice being produced and a fee charged.

What are the next steps?

If you would like to work together, click on the button below to schedule your free 15 min phone consultation and we can get started.

If you have questions that aren’t answered on this page, feel free to email me: rolesweplaytherapy@gmail.com