What to Expect in Counselling
What to Expect from Counselling
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, particularly if you have never experienced therapy before. Knowing a little about what to expect can help the process feel more comfortable.
I offer counselling in Ringwood for adults looking for support with a wide range of emotional and relationship difficulties. My approach is humanistic and integrative, which means our sessions are shaped around you rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Your First Counselling Session
Our first session gives us an opportunity to begin getting to know one another. We can talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you may be finding difficult at the moment and what you would like to gain from therapy.
There is no expectation that you need to tell me everything in your first session. We can work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Feeling comfortable with your counsellor is an important part of therapy, so the first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of how it feels for us to work together.
How We Might Work Together
Everyone comes to counselling with different experiences and needs, so the way we work will be individual to you.
Our work may include:
- Getting to know you
Understanding what has brought you to counselling and exploring the experiences, feelings or difficulties that are important to you.
- Finding a focus together
We can consider what you would like to gain from counselling and what might feel helpful to explore.
- Exploring and understanding
Depending on your needs, I may draw upon different therapeutic approaches and psychoeducation to help you understand patterns, emotions, relationships and responses.
- Reviewing our work
We will regularly check in together about how counselling is feeling and whether our work continues to meet your needs.
- Ending counselling
When the time feels right, we will talk about ending our work together so that counselling can come to a considered and supportive close.
How Long Are Counselling Sessions?
Individual counselling sessions last 50 minutes and are usually held weekly.
You don't need to know exactly what you want from counselling before getting in touch. Sometimes understanding what you need is part of the therapeutic process itself.
Humanistic Integrative counsellor
I offer a Humanistic Integrative approach to counselling which works at your pace, by providing the environment to enable you to reconnect with your true self. The space also provides safety to process your issues and become more self-accepting in your life and outlook. This integrative and eclectic approach to counselling combines Person-centred, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt counselling theory.
Choosing a Registered Counsellor
Katie Reid, MBACP | Psychotherapeutic Counsellor & Clinical Supervisor
When seeking counselling, it's crucial to choose a therapist registered with a professional body like the British Association for Counselling Psychotherapists (BACP). This ensures their qualifications, adherence to professional standards, and commitment to ethical practices. Moreover, if you encounter any concerns during therapy, a formal complaints process exists to address them.