Craig Hutchison MBACP (Accred), UKRCP Reg Ind Cllr.

 

When can I start?

I may not be able to take on new clients at the moment.  If this is the case then I will give you information on other counsellors who may be able to see you.  If I am taking on new people then I can normally offer you an initial appointment within two weeks. This initial meeting serves a number of different functions:

  • it will give you a chance to ask any questions you have about therapy or about my practise
  • it will give us both a chance to discuss whether therapy is likely to be helpful for you just now
  • it will look at how appropriate my services are for your needs
  • it will look at whether there may be other helpful sources of support.

What about ending?

You are always in charge of the counselling/psychotherapy process and you can stop at any stage. However, it is worth considering that things may feel worse before they feel better, particularly if you are exploring difficult feelings or experiences. It can be very helpful to discuss this with me rather than simply deciding not to turn up for our next session. I won't expect you to stay if it feels too difficult just now or if it doesn't seem to be helping, but at least you will have a chance to explore this and discuss it openly, perhaps even finding some solutions in the process. If you do decide to end your counselling I normally ask you to give one session's notice, as this gives us both the chance to tie up loose ends and to finish formally. Hopefully you will come to the end of our work together feeling that things have improved and that you are ready to move on.


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