Therapy with Chris
Counselling in Bournemouth & Online
Frequently asked questions
Here in the UK, the terms ‘counsellor’ and ‘therapist’ are often used to mean one and the same thing. Counselling is a talking therapy that helps you to find ways of dealing with emotional issues. My qualifications are in therapeutic counselling and so I also tend to use the two terms interchangeably.
Online therapy allows us to work together in a way that saves you time, energy and additional expense.
I usually meet clients over Zoom, although we can use Teams or WhatsApp if you prefer. You will need access to a device with one of those three apps. I can help with any technical queries if you're unsure, and you'll need a good internet connection.
When it comes to your environment, it is absolutely essential that you are alone and in a private space so that you can speak freely. Ethically, I may be required to end our session if this is not the case.
Consider what will make you feel most comfortable during our session. You are of course welcome to have a drink with you when we start, and if you need to move around that’s okay too.
I know what it’s like to finally commit to a therapist or counsellor and then have to wait for the first session. I aim to offer you an initial session within 1-2 weeks.
Everything we talk about during therapy will remain between us, other than a few exceptions which we will talk about during our first session.
It’s so important that you feel comfortable with the therapist or counsellor that you choose. I offer a free 15 minute telephone or video call before your first session. This gives you a chance to see if we might be a good fit and helps me to get a sense of your needs and if I can help you; I’ll be honest with you if I don’t think I can and try to help you find other support.
During our first session, we’ll check-in with each other towards the end of our time together, to find out how you feel about continuing with more sessions and if you’d rather not, that’s absolutely fine too.
I charge for missed sessions unless you have provided at least 48 hours notice.
If you need to rearrange your session, I will always try to offer an alternative timeslot during the same week.
I will always aim to give you at least six weeks notice of any breaks in our work, such as for holidays or over Christmas and New Year.
I am a Humanistic Integrative therapeutic counsellor, which relies on the importance of the relationship between the therapist and client to help you focus on your own self-discovery, using your own free will and potential.
I’ll help you to find your own answers, rather than telling you what to do or how I think you should live your life.
I have been extensively trained in a range of theories to support you depending on your needs (these are Person-Centred, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt).
This varies for each and every client and you’ll probably have a sense of how long is right for you.
I generally recommend at least six sessions for us to establish our relationship and begin the work. Then, we can review where you are from that point onwards.
Many clients book a weekly session on the same day and time that works for them. Sometimes, after a period of weekly sessions, clients are happy to have fortnightly sessions to allow for a longer period of reflection.
We’ll meet for as long as you are finding our work together useful. This may be just a few months or it may be several years.
You decide when our work is done and are always be in control of when you want to stop having therapy, and a good therapist or counsellor will help you (and themselves) to prepare for that ending in advance.
Due to insurance and safeguarding reasons, Therapy with Chris is set-up to work with people living in the UK only.
Each 50 minute session is £60 and once our relationship is established, I offer a 10% discount for each block booking of six sessions, reducing the cost to £54 per session.
I require payment at least 48 hours before your session and accept payment by bank transfer.
Our first session lasts for 60 minutes (after that, they'll be 50 minutes), and it's a chance for you to ask me any questions about how everything works. I’ll ask you some questions about your reasons for seeking therapy, your background, family history and any other information I feel is relevant to you and your situation.
I’ll also ask you a range of questions relating to your mental health and wellbeing and tell you more about how we will work together.
If this is your first experience of therapy (or even if it isn’t), I know that you might be feeling quite nervous, and I will do my absolute best to put you at ease.
Many clients do decide to have weekly sessions initially, yet this is something that you will always be in control of.
Sometimes, you may prefer to have fortnightly sessions to allow more time for reflection in between.
At the end of each session, we will look ahead to arrange the next. I am happy to keep your slot free for you on the same day and time each week or fortnight as long as payment is received at least 48 hours before your session.