Frequently Asked Questions

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Q

What is counselling?

A

Counselling provides an opportunity and a space to talk about difficulties you are having in your life to an impartial, non-judgemental and objective person who will not offer you advice, unlike friends and family members.

Q

What is psychotherapy?

A

Like counselling, psychotherapy is a place to talk to a trained professional about difficulties you may experience.It is usually a process which makes links between your present problems and your early life experiences, which continue to influence how you feel and behave in the present. Psychotherapy is a deeper and, in most cases, a longer process than counselling.

Q

What sort of training should counsellors and psychotherapists have?

A

Counsellors should have undergone at least a postgraduate Diploma in Counselling at a training establishment which is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and should be a member of a professional organisation such as BACP (www.bacp.co.uk , the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) (www.psychoanalytic-council.org), or the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy (UKCP) (www.psychotherapy.org). Counsellors should adhere to a professional Code of Ethics such as that of the BACP. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists should have undertaken a rigorous course of study such as that provided by WPF Training (www.wpf.org.uk), the Guild of Psychotherapists (www.guildofpsychotherapists.org.uk), the Society of Analytical Psychology (www.thesap.org.uk), The British Psychotherapy Foundation (www.britishpsychotherapyfoundation.org.uk), Institute of Psychoanalysis (www.psychoanalysis.org.uk), which equips them for the very responsible task of working with clients in a way which examines their unconscious motivations and feelings.

Q

How much will it cost?

A

In the London area, fees per session can vary between £35 and £75. Some therapists set aside a few sessions per week to work with people who cannot afford their full fee. There are several organisations in Croydon that provide lower cost counselling such as CPF Counselling (www.cpfcounselling.org.uk), MIND in Croydon (www.mindincroydon.org.uk), Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (www.rasasc.org.uk), Off the Record (specifically for children and young people) (www.offtherecordcroydon.org).

Q

What sort of problems can be treated in counselling and psychotherapy?

A

I have experience in working with the following issues:- • Anxiety • Depression • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Relationship Problems (I do not see couples) • Work-related problems • Lack of self esteem • Disability issues I have considerable experience of working therapeutically in the NHS and private practice with people who have learning disabilities. I have worked in a variety of different settings, including a student helpline, a charity providing low cost counselling for 13 years, in the NHS and in private practice for 8 years. I am not trained to work with children and young people under the age of 18.

Q

How long will it take?

A

This is a difficult question to answer precisely because the length of time it take will depend on the severity of the problems the client brings, the frequency of the sessions (once or more than once a week), the level of commitment of the client and the length of time it takes to build up trust between client and therapist. It is often surprising how long that process can take.

Q

What qualifications do I have?

A

I have a Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from WPF Training. Counsellors and Psychotherapists are obliged to undertake Continuing Professional Development workshops and seminars throughout the year to maintain their registration with their professional body. The most important part of my training has been my own analysis. All reputable trainings require therapists to be in therapy themselves so that they understand the process from the viewpoint of the client.

Q

What are the boundaries of confidentiality?

A

Therapeutic sessions take place in strict confidence. However, in the event of a client giving their therapist reason to be anxious about the client’s safety or that of other people, then he or she would be duty bound to inform the client’s GP in consultation with the client. Many clients have suicidal thoughts which are not carried into action. Therapists understand that there is a wide distinction between thoughts and actions. Counsellors and psychotherapists are required to have clinical supervision, which means that they discuss their cases with a senior psychotherapist or analyst. However, clients’ names are not used so that their identity is protected.