Suffolk Association for Counselling
Guidelines for prospective clients
Counselling
Most
approaches are based on talking things over with the Counsellor in
confidence but Counsellors work from a variety of theoretical
approaches with their clients. These approaches range from the type of
psychoanalysis originally practised by Sigmund Freud, and other forms
of analytic psychotherapy, through to the behavioural therapies, often
used for addressing specific phobias and anxieties, to humanistic and
transpersonal therapies, based on personal growth and self development.
You will find more details about those approaches and an explanation of
some of the terms and abbreviations used by individual counsellors here.
Counselling
can assist in developing some understanding of your problems,
recognition of and drawing on your own strengths, in order to make
sense of your unhappiness and to develop insight into your
troubles. It can also guide you from feeling a victim of
circumstances, towards seeing an overall picture, and to offer the
opportunity to begin an approach to your life in a fresh and more
resourceful way.
Counselling is not about giving advice, making judgments or imposing moral or other values.
When Might I Need a Counsellor?
Counselling
is often requested by people facing changes in their lives, or with
choices that appear baffling or frightening. As a result they may
feel confusion, unhappiness or distress.
At times all of us feel
worried or depressed - we find ourselves saying 'I can't cope', 'I
don't know which way to turn', or 'I feel so alone'.
These
feelings can be caused by a wide range of situations, such as the death
of a loved one, not getting on with a family member or partner,
problems at work or in education. There are times in our life when we
don't know where to go next or find we are repeating patterns of
behaviour that cause unhappiness.
You may feel that you would
prefer not to speak to family, friends or neighbours for a range of
reasons - perhaps so as not to burden them. This may be a good
time to talk to a counsellor.
How Much Counselling Do I Need?
Counselling
can be short or long term. The individual client's needs and the
type of counselling will determine how long this should be.
Sometimes deep-rooted problems may take longer. Usually you will
attend regular sessions over an agreed or open-ended period. Some
clients prefer a few sessions then a pause followed by a few
more. Low cost counselling is sometimes limited to a maximum
number of sessions. Individual sessions are usually 50-60 minutes.
How Much Will it Cost?
Fees
in Suffolk vary from about £25 - £70 per session with most counsellors
charging about £30 - £35 per session. Generally speaking counsellors
with less experience charge less than more experienced counsellors and
many counsellors offer some lower cost places.
Many GP Practices
in Suffolk offer counselling that is free to the client, provided
through the Primary Care Trust. This is usually limited to a maximum
number of sessions and there is no choice about who provides the
counselling. Some agencies, trusts and colleges offer low cost or free
services. These organisations usually use volunteer and sometimes
trainee counsellors. The SAC Directory lists charges for individual
counsellors and agencies, and each entry also gives you some idea of
the level of experience.
Finding the Right Counsellor
Finding
the right counsellor will be based on what approach you need and
practicalities such as location, accessibility and cost. Most
importantly it also needs to be based on how you feel about the
counsellor and whether you feel comfortable in openly telling him/her
about yourself. The relationship between you and the counsellor
is critical and remember, however unhappy you feel, it is you who
chooses. Most counsellors offer an initial meeting, which may be free
of charge, to give you an opportunity to ask questions and to assess
whether you feel comfortable with him/her. You may then agree to try a
few sessions or continue looking for the right counsellor.
Ask questions and find out as much information as possible before you start.
·
Ask if the counsellor deals with a specialist area which is important
to you (e.g relationships, drug or alcohol, HIV/AIDS, bereavement). You
may prefer to work with a woman or man or someone with some
understanding of your culture or sexuality.
·
Ask about the counsellor's training, experience, supervision, their
personal experience of counselling. Ask if they subscribe to a
code of ethics and belong to a professional organisation.
·
Ask about anything else you feel you need to know. Making the
'contract' like this is a fundamental part of most counsellors'
training and will help to make the sessions mutually clear and
explicit. You may want to ask about:
- fees or charges including the policy for cancellations or missed appointments;
- how often and how long will you have sessions;
- where and when you will see the counsellor ;
- what about confidentiality ;
- how you will be counselled.
What if the Counselling isn't going well or doesn't 'feel' right?
If
you feel that the counselling is not going well you might be able to
talk to your counsellor about your concerns and review how things are
going. You may then be able to make changes to the way you are working
together.
At any time you are free to change your counsellor
and you should check your contract, or with your counsellor, about how
to end the sessions.
If you think your counsellor has breached
their code of ethics you may wish to make a formal complaint to the
professional association or organisation to which they belong.
All counsellors listed in the directory are required to state the
professional associations to which they belong and to whose ethics they
subscribe. Please note: SAC itself is not such an organisation.
Finally
Several
hundred thousand people see a counsellor each year. Many of us
will visit a counsellor at some time in our lives and find the process
useful.
We hope that you find the information in this website useful and that it will assist you on your journey.