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In the first session (called the intake sessions) I will ask you a few questions to get to know you better. By obtaining some background information/context, and understanding your hopes and goals for counselling, we can create a treatment plan to help you reach your counselling goals.

The number of counselling sessions will depend on the needs of the person seeking counselling. Between 6-10 sessions can be effective for adults, and a minimum of 10 sessions for children and adolescents are advised.

Confidentiality in counselling creates a space where the client can explore sensitive subjects with the knowledge that their counsellor will not repeat or misuse their information. It is what makes counselling different from other relationships. There are however, certain limitations to confidentiality where a counsellor may need to disclose information due to ethical or legal obligation. This will take place with the client’s best interest in mind. Healthcare professional are obliged by law to disclose the following exceptional circumstances: • Risk of harm to self or others. • If required by law or a court order to disclose certain information. • In the case of child abuse. The above aspects of confidentiality also apply to counselling minors (i.e. persons under the age of 18 years).

Counselling is primarily focused on helping individuals use existing resources to cope better with personal/relational challenges, specific problems, or significant life changes; whilst Psychotherapy is focused on the restructuring of the personality of Self. Psychotherapy is thus more focused on severe psychological disturbances, over a longer period of time.

Although sometimes used with adults, play therapy is an approach used primarily when counselling children. While it may look like ordinary play, play therapy techniques are used to explore a child’s life, allowing the child to freely express repressed thoughts and emotions through play. The counsellor will use play to establish a trusting relationship with the child, and will observe the child’s choices, decisions, and style of play to gain insight into the child’s problems. The aim is to help a child to learn to express their emotions in healthier and more appropriate ways, and to discover more positive ways of dealing with problems.