Taking the first step is often the hardest point of counselling.

• Counselling is not your everyday activity and meeting someone new, having to explain your story, feelings of being judged are all common worries that clients have.
• Often people are worried about the stigma of counselling but research shows that counselling helps people get over difficulties that they may be facing.

At COUNSELLING FIRST I will do my best to make you feel at ease, I will explain everything as many times as you need to hear it and I will do my best to understand the difficulties you are facing.

All discussions in counselling and psychotherapy are confidential. Without this, our sessions would not be very effective. There are some legal exceptions to this policy and these will be discussed with you when we meet.

Clients are always fully assessed to inform of the treatment that will be best suited to the problem they are dealing with. It is important that clients feel understood from the outset and assessments inform me on a different level to what is going on for you. The assessments are all used by the NHS and your GP may use them as well.

I take responsibility to offer an environment, which is safe and confidential whilst offering empathy, understanding and respect. I abide and am bound by a Code of Ethics and Practice from the National Council of Psychotherapists (NCP) and am insured with Holistic Insurance.