How it works
A call, a first session, a regular hour.
What happens from the moment you get in touch to the last session, including the practical things people worry about and rarely ask: confidentiality, cancelling, what if you cry, what if you want to stop.
Five steps
From the first call to the last session.
The free call
Twenty minutes on the phone with the counsellor you would see. You say a little about what has brought you; they say how they work; you both decide whether to go on. If we are not the right help, we say so and suggest who is.
The first session
Fifty minutes (seventy-five for couples) that are partly about you and partly practical: confidentiality and its limits, what happens if you are ill, cancelling, the fee. You leave knowing exactly how this works.
Regular sessions
The same day and time each week or fortnight where we can manage it, so the hour becomes part of your week. In the room, by video or by phone; you can switch.
A review every six
Every sixth session we stop and ask together: is this helping, is anything missing, should we change something, carry on, or start thinking about an ending?
Ending well
Endings are planned, usually over two or three sessions, so you leave with a sense of what changed. You can come back later without starting again from the beginning.
Confidentiality
What stays in the room, and the few things that cannot.
What you say in a session stays between you and your counsellor. Notes are brief and locked away. Your counsellor talks about their work with a supervisor every month, without your name, so their work is always checked by someone experienced.
There are a few limits, and we explain them before you tell us anything: if we believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, if you tell us about a child being harmed, or if a court orders us to share notes. Even then, we will talk to you first wherever we safely can. We never contact your GP or employer without your agreement otherwise.
Availability
The next free sessions.
Worked out from the diary just now, from tomorrow onwards. Choose one and the form fills in the time; the free call comes first, and we hold the slot for you until then.
- Wed 28 Oct, 2pmdaytime, Dafydd
- Thu 29 Oct, 10amdaytime, Helen
- Fri 30 Oct, 12pmdaytime, Helen
- Mon 2 Nov, 11amdaytime, Helen
- Mon 2 Nov, 2pmdaytime, Helen
- Wed 4 Nov, 2pmdaytime, Dafydd
- Thu 12 Nov, 3pmdaytime, Helen
- Fri 13 Nov, 10amdaytime, Helen
Daytime is before 5pm; evenings are 5pm to 8pm. Couples sessions are with Dafydd in the evenings and on alternate Saturday mornings. The practice is closed from 24 December to 1 January.
Questions about the process
What if I cry, or cannot speak?
Both happen often and both are fine. There are tissues within reach and nobody will hurry you. Silence in counselling is not wasted time.
Can I bring someone with me?
To the door, yes, and they can wait in the waiting room. Individual sessions are just you and the counsellor; if you would like someone with you in the room, talk to us in the free call.
What if I want to stop?
Tell your counsellor, in a session if you can, so that the ending can be useful. If you would rather just stop, send a message; nobody will chase you or charge you.
What if I do not get on with my counsellor?
Say so. It is not rude and it happens. You can switch to the other counsellor, or we can suggest someone else in Penarth or Cardiff.
Start with a free 20-minute call.
Talk to the counsellor you would see before anything is booked or paid for. Ask anything, including whether we are the right people. The diary shows the next free call; pick it, or ring and leave a message and we reply within a working day.