Therapy with Chris
Counselling in BELFAST & Online
Frequently asked questions
The short answer is, no. It's true that I have a particular focus on supporting LGBTQ+ people, yet I also work with people from all backgrounds, genders and sexualities. I am proud that my client base is both as diverse as we are as humans whilst also offering a safe and affirming space for those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Great question!
Being gay and queer doesn't automatically qualify me for working with LGBTQ+ clients.
I believe that it's not enough to have lived experience. After all, the only lived experience I have is of the life I have lived and am living, not yours. I also believe that LGBTQ+ people don't specifically need an LGBTQ+ therapist simply because of how they identify or their sexuality.
That said, I do believe that it can often help to work with an LGBTQ+ therapist, as a way to more quickly feel safe and seen. I identify as a queer, gay, cis man and it's an identity that took me time to step into. I resonate with the often painful path to walk and love being able to help people navigate theirs. There's a saying in the therapeutic world that "the right clients will find you" and when I began working with clients, people from the LGBTQ+ community seemed to gravitate towards me. It felt right and continues to feel right.
Any uneducated therapist can do unintentional harm and I believe that we as therapists have a responsibility to be informed through continuous learning.
I'm not an expert, and I make a conscious effort to educate myself through continued professional development whether reading, courses or qualifications. I will never profess to knowing it all - I don't believe we can - yet I'm passionate about learning both formally and about the unique lens of each and every client I am lucky enough to work with.
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 20 minute telephone or video call before your first session (book here). 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.
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.
I am a Humanistic Integrative therapeutic counsellor, which relies on the importance of the relationship between us 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. Evening sessions are by request and incur an additional £10. 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 let you know how we'll work together and a few important details about my duty to keeping you safe. We'll talk about things like your reasons for seeking therapy and what you'd like to focus on or where you'd like to get to.
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 always aim to put you at ease as best I can.
At the end of each session we will arrange the next.
Many clients do decide to have weekly sessions initially, yet this is something that you will always be in control of. I am happy to keep your slot free for you on the same day and time each week as long as payment is received at least 48 hours before your session.
Sometimes, you may prefer to have fortnightly sessions to allow more time for reflection in between. I do ask for flexibility for fortnightly sessions as it is not always possible to guarantee the same day or time as with weekly sessions.