Counselling is a talking therapy involving a trained therapist and the word ‘counselling’ is used interchangeably with ‘therapy’ or ‘psychotherapy’ – the latter when things go deeper over a longer period of time. Life Coaching is integrated into sessions as relevant and if identified as useful for the individual. It’s a combined approach. The collective training and experience is utilised to focus on connecting with you and what you personally need. It’s dedicated time for you to connect with yourself, with the help of an experienced professional, to improve your current state. See ABOUT for training and qualifications.

Each session is 50 minutes long. We will agree a day and time that works for you. This is your dedicated time each week. It’s recommended that you arrive on time to get the full duration and will respect the finish time.

Weekly sessions are recommended for momentum and benefit. Some people may go through periods where more than one session per week is required. Some may find that their lifestyle can’t accommodate a weekly session, and fortnightly sessions can sometimes be arranged depending on availability.

This will be different for each person. Funded NHS or Employee Assistant Programmes often only offer shorter term therapy due to budgets, and some therapy is certainly better than none. Some people can find they see an improvement after 8 to 12 sessions, some after 6 months, some after a year, some a few years. It really depends upon you. Once we can discuss what is going on for you, you may get a sense of this for yourself. Essentially the number of sessions are open ended, with no fixed timeframe. It is recommended that when you decide you no longer want or need counselling, you decide on a date you’d like to cease, and discuss this, rather than just end suddenly.

The style of Psychodynamic Counselling/Psychotherapy is not directional, it doesn’t provide techniques or tools or homework for you. It enables you to be listened to, and for us together to explore possible causes, perspectives and understanding in a safe and supportive way, bringing conscious awareness and empowerment. However inner reflection by you after and in between sessions is useful. Life Coaching also doesn’t specifically give advice, however suggestion for reflection and possible actions can be useful for your benefit. So whilst you may feel right now that you need some advice on what to do, the process in fact enables you to be able to find it within yourself, which is a far longer lasting outcome.

There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, if you can’t make your agreed appointment time and can let me know with 24 hours notice, you will not be charged. If it’s shorter notice than 24 hours, you will still need to pay for your appointment. This is your dedicated time, it is never filled by anyone else. If you have holiday planned, please just advise with as much notice as possible. I will also provide good notice of any holiday period.

Expressing yourself or describing how you feel doesn’t feel natural to everyone. Some people will find they don’t stop talking during sessions, some come to sessions fearful they don’t know what to say. It works in both cases. It’s also okay for there to be silence, it can be very useful. Whilst I encourage you to initiate what you’d like to talk about each week, if you feel stuck or unable to, I will ask you questions and aim to make you feel comfortable to gradually start to open up. It’s non-judgmental, so you can say whatever comes to mind and we can go from there.

There is nothing wrong in crying. Tissues are available. Some people struggle to allow tears. Others are surprised when tears come up. Sessions can be full of tears if that’s what is needed. Beneath tears is a new way of feeling. Many people say how much better they feel afterwards.

Every session is private and confidential. No-one can hear us and it never gets repeated. Anonymous notes can be made, but these are held securely. Supervision sessions are held monthly between every counsellor and a supervisor, this is the only time anything may be discussed, however these sessions are also private and confidential and are for the collective benefit of each person’s wellbeing. Full names are not used. It may feel difficult to trust, and you can share what you need when you feel ready to do so.

The exception to this is for Safeguarding reasons. If you or another person could be at risk of harm, it becomes a legal requirement for relevant family members or authorities to be notified, for either your or their wellbeing and safety. This would be discussed with you if this does seem the case, with all things considered.

Your dedicated time each week is our time together, conversations take place during this time, in the therapeutic space, and not outside of this. However if you’d like to get in touch for practical reasons, please email: hello@selfconnect.co.uk. Email is monitored regularly Monday to Friday. If you’d like to get in touch to enquire about availability or for further information, please get in touch here.

£55 per 50 minute session.

Payment is required before each session, by bank transfer. Details will be provided before your first session.

9 years old upward.

If this is for someone under the age of 18, of course the parent can make initial contact and relay any initial information, and can meet the therapist on the first occasion, but the session is a private and personal session for one individual.

If you feel more comfortable having someone bring you to sessions this is fine, however it will only be yourself that comes into the therapy room. This session is for you. There is only a waiting area at the Sadie Centre, not the Hitchin location.

Face to face sessions take place in Hitchin (please see LOCATION for further details). Some sessions take place at the Sadie Centre, Letchworth. There is parking available at each location and trainlines nearby.

Please note that there are no toilet facilities in the garden room.

You can also arrange online sessions which are conducted using Google Meet, therefore you can be anywhere in the UK (or on holiday/working abroad) to do this.

If required, sessions by phone can also be arranged. It is recommended that you are consistent with the format you decide.

In Hitchin the room is located in a garden room and requires access via a side path that is 69cm wide. There is one step up to the room.

At the Sadie Centre in Letchworth the room is located on the first floor, and there is a flight of stairs to get there. However we may be able to make arrangements for a ground floor room.

If you have any further questions regarding this to accommodate your requirements, please get in touch.

Online or phone sessions may also be an option for you.

Please get in touch using this form, advising your availability for sessions, with any explanation you feel necessary, and with any questions you have. Further information will be provided before your first session. You will be asked to review and sign a contract of agreement which you should bring to your first session or send back beforehand. From this first session you can obviously decide if you are happy to continue regularly. It’s important for you to feel we can work together.

If you would like a brief 10-15 minute call before booking an appointment, this can be arranged.