Frequently asked questions about counselling
What will happen during the first counselling session?
During your first session you will be asked to fill out a brief registration form and an assessment questionnaire known as CORE (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation). If you have difficulty filling in forms then your counsellor will be happy to assist you or do this for you. The counsellor will then provide you with information about counselling and answer any questions you may have. You will be invited to talk about the your problems, your history, your needs and wishes, your personal life circumstances, the reasons that have led to the development of your difficulties and the way in which your current difficulties affect your life. The counsellor will also ask what you hope to gain from counselling and you may wish to establish some therapy goals.The first counselling appointment is not only about gathering information, but is also about coming to a better understanding of your difficulties. Following this appointment and an agreement that counselling will be beneficial, an ongoing appointment will be arranged at a time to suit you.
How long do counselling sessions last?
Sessions last for 50 minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
By the end of your first session the counsellor will be able to tell you how long they consider you could be in therapy. Some issues can be helped in a relatively short time of up to six sessions and other issues may take longer. How many sessions you need depends on the nature, complexity and severity of your individual problems and circumstances.
Do Lewis Psychology CIC counsellors comply with any recognised standards?
All our counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and have completed verified counsellor training that has been accredited by one of the UK National Awarding Bodies. Our counsellors receive monthly clinical supervision in addition to management supervision. We also have a wide range of internal policies and procedures to safeguard staff, our clients and our commissioners.
Is what I say confidential?
The content of your counselling sessions are confidential, however in order to enhance the quality of therapy being offered to you, your counsellor may discuss your case on a confidential basis with their clinical supervisor. Regular clinical supervision is a professional and ethical requirement of all counsellors. This process maximises the counsellors therapeutic effectiveness and ensure that professional and ethical standards are adhered to. If your counsellor considers that you are at imminent risk of causing serious harm to yourself or others, they may seek additional assistance on your behalf or on the behalf of vulnerable others. Your counsellor will talk to you about their concerns and endeavour to gain your consent before doing this. In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism or drug trafficking your counsellor is legally obliged to break confidentiality and pass such disclosures onto the relevant authority.
Do you keep records of my sessions?
Your counsellor will make brief notes after each session, the notes will be securely stored and you cannot be identified from them as your name will be omitted. Notes of sessions are kept separately from personal details in order to protect your anonymity and maintain confidentiality. Lewis Psychology CIC is a registered data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office and all personal information is kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998).
What do the rooms look like?
The counselling rooms at Lewis Psychology CIC are beautifully furnished with a modern but comfortable feel.
What if I need to cancel a session?
Our counsellor's time is a precious commodity. We ask if you do need to cancel please make sure that you give as much notice as possible.
If sessions are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice you will be charged the full session fee. This is because we will have all the expense of providing a counsellor to cover the appointment and will probably not be able to use it for another client. As a not-for-personal profit organisation cancelled appointments are a heavy burden on our finances.
More than two late notice cancellations may prompt your counsellor to consider withdrawing our service altogether, in order that your time-slot may be offered to someone else.
Is there an age limit?
Counselling is available to everyone aged 18 and above. There is no upper age limit.
Can I bring my children?
No. We do not have the facilities to provide child care.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
Daytime counselling appointments are usually available within a few days and evening or weekend appointments are usually offered within one week. The more flexible you can be, the more quickly we can offer an appointment.
