Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if therapy is right for me?
You don’t need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what is wrong to come to therapy. People look into counselling and psychotherapy for many different reasons, including anxiety, low mood, depression, stress, relationship or family difficulties, bereavement, unresolved trauma, difficulties surrounding neurodiversity, low self-esteem or simply feeling that something isn’t quite right.
Therapy can provide a confidential and non-judgemental space to explore what you’re experiencing, understand yourself better and consider what might help you move forward.
If you’re unsure whether therapy is right for you, I offer a free introductory telephone call where we can briefly discuss what you’re looking for and whether working together might feel right for you. These calls can be booked online through my website, or you can contact me by email to arrange one
- abbydunncounselling@gmail.com
2. What happens in the first session?
Your first full session is an opportunity for us to start getting to know each other and explore what has brought you to see me.
We’ll talk about what you’re currently experiencing, what you might like to gain from therapy and any relevant background that you feel comfortable sharing at this point. There is no pressure to tell me everything straight away, we will always work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
It’s also an opportunity for you to get a sense of how I work and ask any questions you may have.
3. What type of therapy do you offer?
I work as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, which means I can draw upon different therapeutic approaches depending on your individual needs.
My work incorporates Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy and Transactional Analysis. Rather than following one set approach, we’ll work collaboratively and tailor our sessions to what may be most helpful for you.
This blended approach to therapy allows us to explore both past and present issues and understand how they have impacted and continue to impact you. Many individuals who are experiencing mental health difficulties may have unresolved trauma or deeper rooted causes that could be adding to the present issues they experience e.g. attachment issues, childhood upbringing, school experiences, family impacts, conflicts between beliefs and morals, and many more.
4. Where are you based?
I offer face-to-face counselling from my private therapy room in Barnsley, South Yorkshire (2 miles outside the Town Centre).
The location is easily accessible from Barnsley and surrounding areas, with free parking available and a nearby bus stop for the 95 bus. The therapy room is roughly a 10-minute drive from Junction 37 and Junction 38 of the M1.
5. Do you offer online (remote) sessions?
Yes. Online sessions can be a convenient option if you would prefer to access therapy from home, live further away or find it difficult to attend appointments in person. These take place via Microsoft Teams video call and I send the Teams link a few days before your scheduled session to your email address.
Both face-to-face and online sessions are 60-minutes in duration.
6. How much do sessions cost?
Individual counselling and psychotherapy sessions are £60 for 60-minutes.
Booking online appointments is available to existing or returning clients, payment is made securely through the website if you choose to book this way. Alternatively, I can accept payments by Bank Transfer 24-hours before the session, or cash payments at the session.
Please find the option on the 'Book Online' page to book an Introductory Call if you are a potential new client. This gives us 15-minutes to have an informal chat about what you are looking for in terms of support, ask any questions you may have, understand if I am the right fit for you as a therapist and book in your first paid session if you would like to proceed following the call.
7. How often will I need to attend sessions?
There isn’t one schedule that suits everybody. Most clients tend to choose fortnightly or 3-weekly sessions. Depending on what is happening in their life, we may sometimes do weekly sessions, or go longer between sessions to see how they are getting on or to have a 'touching base' session.
Some clients may do several sessions relatively frequently and then pop back every few weeks to get things off their chest and help them to feel well.
We can discuss what feels appropriate for you and review this as our work progresses.
8. How many sessions will I need?
There is no set number of sessions you have to attend. Some people come to counselling for a relatively short period to focus on a particular difficulty, while others find longer-term psychotherapy helpful for exploring more complex or longstanding experiences.
We can regularly review how you’re finding counselling and whether you feel our work is continuing to be helpful.
Sessions can end at any point you wish - there is no contract signing you into a set amount of sessions, for example.
9. Is therapy confidential?
What you share during sessions is treated confidentially and your privacy is taken seriously.
I have to keep basic, concise notes as part of my commitment to ethical practice. This helps me remain up-to-speed with our sessions and aids ethical practice. I am a Data Controller with the ICO and follow strict guidelines on record keeping in line with GDPR.
I am obliged to attend monthly clinical supervision with my supervisor (as part of my Accreditation & Insurance purposes) where I discuss certain cases, but this is always done anonymously and ensures I continue to work ethically and within my skillset and knowledge base.
There are, however, some circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, for example where there are serious concerns about safety or where disclosure is required by law. More information about confidentiality and GDPR is within my Counselling Agreement you will receive prior to your first session and you are welcome to ask questions at any point.
10. How do I book an appointment?
You can book appointments directly through my website if you are an existing or returning client.
If you’re considering counselling with me for the first time, you can book a free 15-minute introductory telephone call through the website or contacting me directly. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what you’re looking for, ask any initial questions and see whether working together feels right for you.
Alternatively, you’re welcome to contact me directly if you have a question before booking.
11. What can therapy help with?
I work with adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, relationship and family difficulties, low self-esteem, confidence, bereavement, unresolved trauma, abuse, perfectionism, work-related stress and difficulties associated with ADHD, autism and OCD.
You don’t need to fit neatly into a particular category or have a diagnosis to come to counselling or psychotherapy.
Sometimes people simply know that they’re struggling or would like a space to understand themselves and their experiences better.
Feel free to send me an email if you have any further questions - abbydunncounselling@gmail.com