FAQs

How do sessions take place?

I am currently offering all counselling sessions in person or via video call. Get in touch.

Photo of Alison Fox.

Fees and Concessions

My fee reflects my level of training and experience.

Counselling/EMDR costs between £60 to £90 per 1 hour appointment for individuals & £70 to £100 per hour for couples.

This depends upon the type of therapy; how many sessions are needed and each individual clients’ financial circumstances.

I ask each client to pay what they feel is fair and affordable within this sliding scale of payments.

If you are able to pay at the higher end of my fees, this enables me to offer lower fees to those people who may not be able to afford therapy.

Please make contact to discuss your requirements.

I offer an initial 20-minute telephone/video call assessment session free of charge. After this session, there is no obligation for you to take up counselling with me.

Concessionary fees may be available through my affiliation with the Dorchester Trust for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This charity offers long-term low-cost counselling for Dorset people who would be unable to afford normal rates. I will need proof of any benefits or low income, and I can only offer a limited number of appointment places for reduced fees at any one time. Please contact me for more details or see their website.

Payments can be made by bank transfer.

E-therapy may be charged at a higher rate to allow for time taken dealing with any internet issues.

Other ways to get support

The Samaritans
Tel: 116 123 | Email: jo@samaritans.org | www.samaritans.org

Steps2Wellbeing
www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk

Mind Dorset
www.dorsetmind.uk

Dorset Council
www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

National Domestic Violence Helpline
www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

How many sessions?

This can vary, it is helpful to discuss in your first counselling session, and experience and research have found that generally, 6 sessions is the minimum needed for effective change to take place.

Where do sessions take place?

Preston- Weymouth, webcam, telephone and email appointments worldwide.

Additional information about your accessibility

No wheelchair access due width of doors, however there are no steps.

Counselling room.

Will my Doctor be contacted?

No, I am bound by BACP Code of Ethics and unless I have concerns of significant immediate harm to yourself or others, I will not disclose without your permission.

What will be expected of me?

There are no expectations just a hope for you to commit to yourself.

I don’t know if I could talk to you?

You might find it helpful and more reassuring to call me and voice your concerns, also the first session should help you decide whether you are going to feel enabled to speak openly with me.

How do I know counselling works?

We will complete regular reviews of our work together, you will be the best judge of whether the process is achieving the results that you hope for.

Talking is the key to the therapy process – Why is talking good for you?

  • Because your feelings are important and need to be heard and acknowledged
  • Because talking prevents you from feeling isolated
  • Because talking helps make sense of what you are feeling and why
  • Talking helps to identify problems, give insight and possible solutions
  • Talking with a qualified, skilled therapist, can help to turn worries into positive concerns

What Kind of Problems Can Counselling Help With?

All Life Problems respond well to talking therapies, some specific examples are:

  • Abuse – Emotional, domestic, physical, sexual, spiritual
  • Addictions/Obsessive behaviours – Alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling, sex, overworking and others
  • Acceptance of the ageing process
  • Anger management
  • Anxiety – Panic Attacks, OCD, Stress, Worry, all phobias and fears
  • Bereavement – Grief, miscarriage, termination, loss, end of relationships, separation, sudden endings
  • Boarding school survivors syndrome
  • Career Difficulties – Bullying/Harassment, Making choices and decisions, Workplace relationship difficulties, retirement and redundancy
  • Chronic Illness – Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes, M.E., Fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS
  • Depression – Sadness, loneliness, isolation
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Eating Disorders – Anorexia, Bulimia, Compulsive overeating
  • Ecological anxiety or worry
  • Empty Nest
  • Family and parenting issues
  • Health/Terminal Diagnosis Support
  • Hypervigilance
  • Identity and learning differences associated with dyslexia and autism
  • Isolation and Loneliness
  • Low Self-Confidence, Low Self-Esteem
  • Loss of identity or unsure sense of self
  • Managing change and transition
  • Menopause
  • Narcissistic abuse
  • Personal development
  • Peter Pan Syndrome
  • PTSD
  • Relationship Problems – Couples therapy, or individual 1-2-1 therapy to resolve relationship feelings, infidelity and trust issues, Separation, Divorce, Family Breakup, Friendships, Adoption and Fostering
  • Relaxation
  • Sexual and sexuality difficulties
  • Stress reduction
  • Spirituality
  • Trauma
  • Wellbeing