Your Questions Answered

How will I know that the information I give you will be kept safe?

I provide a confidential service, and abide by all professional and legal requirements, including Data Protection [GDPR] legislation.

I’m not sure how many sessions I will need.

The number of sessions can vary depending on the presenting issues and what clients want to achieve. I suggest that counselling clients have six sessions to start with.  For some clients, short-term counselling (e.g., six sessions) is appropriate, while other clients may have longer-term/more open-ended work.  The number of EMDR treatment sessions will vary but expect to have 10 to 12 sessions as a minimum.

What happens at my first appointment?

The first appointment will take between 50 and 60 minutes. I will explain how I work, including how I ensure a safe and competent service. I will answer any questions you have about counselling/EMDR as appropriate. I will also ask you for some background information, including what has brought you to counselling/EMDR and what your goals are. I will make notes during this first session, but during a counselling session.

Do I need to do anything before my first session?

No. Sometimes clients have a clear set of goals that they want to achieve in counselling/EMDR, whilst others find the opportunity to talk about issues/concerns, before identifying goals, which can change during the counselling.

Can I contact you between sessions?

I do not provide a crisis counselling service. However, I am happy to speak briefly over the ‘phone, or correspond via email, between sessions, or to bring forward the time of the next session if that would be helpful, and if I have availability.

Do you provide step-free access?

My counselling room is situated on the first floor, and there are two flights of stairs. However, I can make alternative arrangements to use a ground floor room.  There is lift access to the first-floor counselling room at the venue that I use in Malton.

I prefer online but would like to meet face to face for the first couple of meetings. Is that ok?

I consider online counselling/EMDR to be just as effective as working face-to-face, but also know that some clients prefer to meet face-to-face at first before moving to online working. I use Teams or Bilateral Base (this is an online EMDR platform). 

Do you offer concessions for students/people on low incomes?

I offer a limited number of appointments at lower rates for people on low incomes.  I also offer a 10% discount to clients paying for six-sessions in advance. 

I find it difficult to talk about what happened (the traumatic event/episode) so worry that counselling might not work for me.

One of the advantages of EMDR [Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing] is that clients do not have to describe in detail the traumatic event.  The emphasis is on treating the impact of trauma, rather than the event itself.   

Do I have to tell my whole story? I want to change the present, and don’t want to spend time dwelling on the past.

Whilst some clients find exploration of the past helpful in order to understand the present, others prefer to focus on the ‘here-and-now’ and look ahead to the future. There is no single correct approach, and I will be guided by you as to which approach to take.

Can you refer me to another source of professional help, if counselling isn’t right for me?

Depending on what the issue is, I can either signpost you to another source of professional help, or, subject to informed consent from you, I can write to your GP as they are best placed to refer you to secondary care mental health support.

Can you help with Complex PTSD?

Yes, though the number of EMDR treatment sessions is likely to be greater than for a single trauma.

If I’m finding it difficult, can I take a break?

EMDR sessions are normally weekly and can last up to 90 minutes. However, some clients prefer to have fortnightly sessions, to help them process thoughts and feelings that come up after treatment. You can also take a break before resuming the treatment.

If I don’t disclose everything, will it [the EMDR] still work?

The treatment will focus on events or episodes from the past that cause you distress now, rather than examining the whole of your life. However, I do need you to tell me if you find any aspect of the treatment distressing or disturbing so that I can adjust the treatment, as necessary.