Before We Begin

Before starting therapy, we’ll have a free 20-minute phone conversation to explore what’s bringing you to counselling and whether you feel comfortable to work with me. After this, I’ll send you a counselling agreement to review, along with a short form to help me understand a little more about you and your hopes for therapy.

If paperwork feels overwhelming or difficult to complete, please know there’s no pressure as we can go through it together in our first session. This process is simply a gentle way to begin shaping our sessions together.

Our First Session

Your first counselling session is a chance for us to settle in, ask questions and begin building a safe, supportive relationship. We’ll review the counselling agreement together and talk through anything you’ve shared in your initial forms. I may ask a few clarifying questions to better understand your story, but this is always done with care and at your pace.

Sessions are professional, but relaxed  – there’s no expectation to “perform” or have everything figured out. You’re welcome just as you are.

Length & Rhythm of Therapy

Each session lasts 50 minutes and is usually held at the same time and place each week. Some clients find 6–10 sessions helpful for exploring a specific issue, while others choose longer-term support.

We’ll discuss your intentions at the start and regularly review how things are going. There’s no obligation to commit to a set number of sessions as I’ll always be guided by what feels right for you.

Emotional Impact & Self-Care

Therapy is a courageous commitment to yourself. Sometimes, as we begin to explore deeper feelings, things may feel more intense before they begin to ease. This is a natural part of the healing process.

We’ll talk about ways to support yourself between sessions, and I’ll help you build tools for emotional resilience and self-care. As Carl Jung reminds us:

“The descent into the depths always seems to precede the ascent.”

Growth often begins in the places we’ve avoided  and together, we’ll navigate that journey with compassion and care.