What do you offer?
I offer one-to-one individual counselling to adults (over 18s), either short or long term. I also offer clinical supervision to practising counsellors and therapists, support workers, and organisations. I’m afraid I do not offer couples or families work, and I no longer work with children and young people in my private practice. If you are looking for young people’s counselling please contact The Palmeira Practice Counselling & Psychotherapy.
How do I start counselling?
We always begin with an initial consultation meeting where we will have an opportunity to meet and to discuss the issues you would like to work on in your counselling. If you decide to go ahead with counselling sessions I will gather some brief information from you about your personal history, contact details, and medical history where relevant. We will also discuss what you would like to get from counselling and how long we might work together. Some of this information I will gather in a form that I will send you by email, and some of this information we will discuss together in session.
How much does it cost?
Individual Counselling: Initial consultation meetings are £30. On-going sessions are £57. Payment for sessions is due in advance of the start of the session (for online work), or at the session (for face-to-face work).
How do I make an appointment for an initial consultation?
By email is best. My email address is shelleyholland@hotmail.com, email me, or you can text me on 07981 713163.
What happens after the initial consultation?
If you decide you would like to have on-going sessions we will agree a time to meet and a brief contract about our working together. This will include a commitment to confidentiality, and an agreement to meet at the same time each week. Sessions last for 50 minutes. I am only able to offer weekly sessions. Missed or cancelled sessions are charged for in most circumstances, excepting agreed holidays.
How long do people stay in counselling?
There is no one answer to this question! It varies enormously, and largely depends on how much work you feel you can or want to do right now on the issues that you want to bring to therapy. The length of time you might want to spend attending counselling sessions does not necessarily reflect the degree of difficulty you are experiencing. This means that ‘big problems’ do not have to take a ‘long time’, and likewise that ‘small problems’ do not have to take ‘just a few sessions’. It’s an individual thing.
For some people short-term work lasting a few months that is focused on a single issue is plenty, while others will gain great benefit from working for much longer periods of a year or several years. Those who have been experiencing difficulties for many years often appreciate and benefit from a longer-term approach.
We can discuss this during our initial meetings, and regular points throughout the counselling work where necessary.
What does confidentiality mean?
Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of the counselling and psychotherapy profession. It means that whatever we discuss in our sessions together will not be shared with third parties unless you specifically request it. There are a few exceptions, for example, if I were to have grave concerns for your well-being or that of someone else I may suggest that we agree to contact a third party, such as your GP.
If you have any concerns about confidentiality or would like a fuller explanation of my policy on this issue then please do contact me or alternatively this can be discussed at our consultation meeting.
where can i find your privacy statement?
I adhere to the current government guidelines on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and I am notified as a Data Controller with the Office of the Information Commissioner under registration number: ZA675968. You can find my full privacy statement HERE.
To contact me you can email me from my online Contact Form, or call me on 07981 713163