More About Us

What makes WSM Counselling different to other counselling services?

All reputable counsellors or psychotherapists will provide a client-centred focus. However, the knowledge and experiences of the therapist will vary greatly, and choosing the right person for you is important.

My background is in Education. As a Teacher and Senior Leader of a Primary School, I have extensive experience in supporting, mentoring and coaching teachers and leaders in schools. In addition, I have worked with children and families from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds and professionally with representatives from different multi-agencies including educational psychologists, social services, health care professionals, occupational therapists and speech and language specialists.

Throughout my professional career within the public sector, I have worked to support a wide range of needs and challenge with children and their families. The work I undertake in WSM Counselling is aimed at utilising my knowledge and skills in a broader climate with the hope to reach out to people who live in our community and require help in a time of challenge or difficulty.

In our therapy, I use an integrative eclectic approach. This means adapting evidence based therapeutic strategies, methods, and approaches to suit your need(s) and personality. Through this approach, we collaboratively work together to plan our sessions in order to work towards a specific goal in short-term or long-term therapy. Short-term therapy usually spans between 6 and 12 weeks, and long-term therapy continues until you have reached your intended goal. You are under no obligation to subscribe to a specific number of sessions, however, you will need to consider that therapy is complex and specific to the client; your journey to affecting positive change will be challenging and empowering. You will likely learn and discover much about yourself along the way and this will require commitment and a willingness to be open to self-reflection and change. With the right support, guidance, and encouragement, you will be well placed to reach your goals and benefit from positive, lifelong change.

The journey to change is not without its challenge. The very nature of therapy often exposes our vulnerable selves and associated feelings and emotions depending on your life experiences and how these have affected you. It may be that you have not fully processed or come to terms with a trauma, experience and/or event from the long-term or short-term past. For others it is managing the challenges of life, relationships, work and emotions in the present. You will be challenged to consider your specific behaviours, emotions and actions from different viewpoints and perspectives, and the impact this has had/is having on you and others. However, at all times through this challenge, you will be guided and supported in a genuine, respectful, safe, and confidential environment.

Life is a challenge for us all; we all have different backgrounds, experiences and challenges to manage. Sometimes, we need to reach out for additional help and support with someone who is non-judgemental, supportive, approachable, empathetic, and knowledgeable of a wide range of therapies and strategies for affecting positive change. Seeking help is the first positive step towards finding your inner peace and improved sense of wellbeing. It may not happen overnight, and it will require commitment and an open mind to change, but you really do have the power within you to find answers and solutions to your problems. Together, we will identify the key challenges, recognise what needs to change, practise, and apply strategies to improve and reframe thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, and finally consider how we can use what we have learned in the wider context of our lives.

What to expect in sessions?

Induction:

The industry standard counselling hour is 50 minutes. Sessions begin on the hour.

It is natural to feel anxious or nervous about the initial meeting; but don’t worry – we work in a relaxed, calm, and respectful manor which will always ensure your wellbeing is of priority.

Initially, we will informally introduce ourselves and enjoy a conversation about our hobbies and interests. This helps us begin to develop a working relationship and understanding of our personalities and traits.

We will then discuss the client contract and answer any questions you may have on any aspect within it. We will ensure contracts have been signed by both parties.

A discussion will then take place around your ‘new intake client form’ and we will confirm details and information from your past. This process helps to ensure your chosen therapy is best suited to your need and desired outcomes from working together.

An informal conversation will take place around the reason you have decided to seek counselling. In doing so, we will consider what has brought you to therapy, what goals you hope to achieve by the end of therapy.

At the end of the session you will be given a short task to complete over the following week for the next session. This simple task will begin to challenge you to consolidate our initial discussion, practise a skill and/or reflect on a specific aspect of therapy linked to your therapeutic approach. Whilst this is not a mandatory component, buy-in with a weekly task or activity plays an important part of therapy. It enables you to consider our work in real contexts, experiment with different approaches and models we have discussed in class and to help evaluate progress and the impact of change in small steps that can be reflected upon and used to drive sessions forward.

Finally, we will book your first appointment at a convenient time for you.

Our sessions:

50 minute sessions are usually undertaken weekly; this is a good length of time to discuss our progress from the previous session, reflect on any task you may have completed during the week, build on our knowledge, thinking, and challenges from what has been learned and experienced, and prepare for the next stage of your therapy – this cyclical model ensures that your therapy continues to move forward and places you closer towards your intended goal.

Review points:

Every 3 weeks, some time will be set aside to review your progress. This is an opportunity to reflect on your progress over time and to celebrate your accomplishments thus far. It is also an opportunity to re-evaluate the direction in which the therapy is going; it may be a case of continuing on the current trajectory or applying some different methods and techniques that are better suited to you. Whatever the outcome of this informal discussion, you will have ultimate control in how we move forward as you continue on your journey to reach your intended goal.

Duration and termination of therapy:

You are not obligated to attend therapy for a specific number of sessions; but simply to honour bookings you have already made in advance (usually one to three weeks). Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to a session for online bookings and 48 hours for in-person bookings.

Short term therapy is usually between 6 and 12 weeks long, and long-term therapy terminates when you feel you have achieved your intended goal and outcomes from therapy. The length of therapy is determined once we have agreed on the type of therapy you undertake and the complexity of need. However, you have ultimate control in how long you feel you would like sessions to continue for.

What steps should I take to begin therapy?

Firstly, it is important to identify the correct therapy for your need. On our website, you can select the ‘Therapy Approach’ page and read about each therapy service we provide.

Once you have decided on the best approach for you, complete a ‘new client intake’ form. This will provide us with key information we will need to know about you and your background.

The next step is to read the ‘client contract’ form. You will need to read this so the terms and conditions of our service are clear to you. It includes some really helpful information – so take a good look!

If, at this point, you feel inspired and ready to begin a client-centred therapeutic journey together, you can book a consultation session. During this session we will meet to discuss your ‘new intake client form’ and answer any questions you may have regarding the ‘client contract’. We will then discuss your background and personal circumstances in order to begin to develop a plan for therapy and associated methods we may explore.

If the session is virtual, you will need to digitally sign and send your contract agreement 24 hours ahead of our first formal session (not induction session). Counselling cannot start before this has been received (by email) as it is a statutory requirement. If you have any problems or concerns regarding the form, you may contact me through the ‘contact page’.

Finally, you can progress to the bookings page. Here, you will be able to book a time and session that is best suited to you. Please be aware that I have limited availability at this time. I am a full-time educator and am restricted to evenings and weekends.

Referrals:

In very occasional circumstances, there may be a need to refer a client to alternative specialist professional advice, therapy or healthcare. In such a case, a referral form will be completed by the counsellor to be shared with the appropriate specialist in question. This helps to ensure clients are directed to the best suited professionals in order to meet their specific needs.

Emergency contact:

If you require my urgent professional services between sessions, I can be contacted during my normal working hours by email or text. I will endeavour to reply to you as soon as possible, but there may be a delay. If you are unable to wait for me to reply, or require emergency or urgent professional assistance outside my normal working hours, please contact NHS 111 service (also available online), your GP, the emergency services 999, or the Samaritans freephone 116123 as appropriate.

Fees , bookings and appointment cancellation:

Bookings are made online through our web service. The initial consultation booking is reduced to £30.00 for the session. For online bookings, all therapies are charged at £47.50 per session. For face-to-face bookings, all therapies are charged at £55.00 per session.

24 hours notice of a cancellation is required for online appointments and 48 hours for face-to-face bookings for refunds to be honoured; alterations to bookings must be administered via the website. All appointments start on the hour; if you arrive late sessions can not be extended as this will affect subsequent appointments. Clients are seen by appointment only. Appointments may be booked up to four weeks in advance. For face-to-face bookings, bookings can only be made a week in advance. In the unlikely event that WSM Counselling need to cancel an appointment for any reason, the client will be given at least 48 hours notice in advance.

Letters and reports:

I am able to write relevant letters and reports for clients currently in our therapy, or past clients (of up to three months) but will require your written permission for me to do this. I charge a fee of £17.50 for writing letters or reports, and this is based on the time it takes me to write the document.

Supervision:

All members of ABCAP are required to have regular supervision. My work continues to be supervised to ensure that it is safe, ethical and effective. Aspects of our work may be discussed during these sessions, but no individual will be identifiable. My supervisor is bound by the same confidentiality rules as myself. WSM Counselling abides by the BACP Ethical Framework to protect a client’s confidentiality. Therefore, everything that we discuss is confidential except in certain circumstances, which are listed below.

Record keeping and confidentiality:

As a member of ABCAP I am required to keep accurate and appropriate notes of our work together. I record my session notes securely on a laptop that is only used by me, and this is password protected at both the level of the individual document and the laptop itself. Any paper documents are locked in a robust non-portable cabinet to which only I have access, and any information that I keep is subject to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 18) and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation UK-GDPR.

Exceptions to confidentiality by way of ‘harm to self or others’:

In line with the BACP Ethical Code of Conduct, I reserve the right to break confidentiality if I think that you have become a danger to yourself or other people. I will attempt to discuss this with you and my supervisor first, but this may not always be possible. For legal and ethical reasons I am not bound by confidentiality if, in good faith, I feel that I can assist in the prevention or detection of a serious crime; this includes safeguarding issues regarding children or vulnerable adults, crimes regarding substantial financial gains and losses, and acts of terrorism.

Zero-tolerance approach for abuse towards staff:

We work hard to provide a high-quality and personalised service that is respectful, courteous and professional. In return, we ask that you treat our staff with the same respect that you expect to receive.

Everyone has a right to be heard, understood and respected. We understand that distressing or frustrating circumstances can cause someone to act out of character, but that behaviour can become unacceptable if it continues or impacts our ability to provide our service effectively.

Unacceptable behaviours include (but are not limited to):

Using bad language or swearing at staff;
Any physical violence towards any member of staff, such as pushing or shoving;
Verbal abuse towards our staff in any form;
Racial abuse and sexual harassment;
Abusing staff on our social media channels;
Unreasonable demands or persistence.

Aggressive, violent or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in your services being restricted or terminated.

Under the influence:

Attending therapy under the influence (or suspected influence) of non-prescription drugs or alcohol means I am unable to deliver effective therapy to clients. In the unlikely case, I would discuss the issue with you and we would agree a period of abstinence prior to the session from the non-prescribed medication or alcohol, and add this period to the contract.

Safeguarding:

Safeguarding is an essential component in all industries, and in therapy, welfare and wellbeing is paramount. In face-to-face sessions, all interactions will be recorded to protect against allegations of misconduct. In interactive sessions, the call will be digitally recorded. Please note that all recordings are held in line with our confidentiality clause (see above).