Brackenbury Counselling

Hope • Healing • Growth

Psychotherapist / Counsellor in Stamford, UK

07870 135986 •andrew@brackenburycounselling.co.uk

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much do you charge?

Each session costs £55 for a 50 minute session, payable before or on the day. I take payment via Bacs or cash.

How do I find your counselling room?

I work in two different counselling rooms. When you book your first session, I’ll let you know which room we will be meeting at. Details of my room on 12 Broad Street, Stamford can be found here. For my alternative room in Tickencote, Rutland, click here. Both rooms have plenty of options for parking, I’ll send you additional details before our meeting.

How does online counselling work?

I worked online throughout the pandemic and found that online counselling works incredibly well. So, if it’s difficult to reach one of my counselling rooms, or if it simply fits better with your lifestyle, online counselling is a fantastic option to consider.


If you want to work online, I currently use Microsoft Teams. Before our session, I will send you a link. A few minutes before the session, simply click on this link and you’ll be taken to an online waiting room. I’ll let you in just as the session starts.


Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your online counselling...


  • Make sure you are somewhere you can speak openly and won’t be overheard


  • Make sure you have a strong internet connection


  • Have your mobile phone handy in case we have any issues with the connection


  • Sit somewhere that you are well lit and the space behind you isn’t too bright. So for example, sit facing a window rather than with the window behind you. This helps me see you properly in the session.


  • If you are using a mobile phone, prop it up or use a tripod so you don’t have to hold it up in front of you. Phones may be lightweight, but 50 minutes is a long time to keep your arm out-stretched and still for.


Is counselling confidential?

Everything you say in counselling is confidential. This includes anything we discuss in your pre-therapy conversation. Essentially, everything we talk about stays between you and I. However there are a few exceptions to this principle and I will make these clear during our first session together.

My life feels difficult, but other people cope with much bigger problems, so is counselling really for me?

One of the most common things I hear in first sessions is clients saying “I’m not even sure I should be here, other people have it far worse than me”. 


Often, as the client then explains more about what brought them to counselling, a story emerges that often leaves me amazed that the client has coped with their difficulties for as long as they have. Sometimes we are so used to the problems we face that we can’t really see impact they are having.

Arguably if a problem is big enough to make us feel down, or unduly worried, then counselling could provide a safe space to work through it. Before you commit to a session, to help you have peace of mind that counselling is appropriate for you, we’ll have a free pre-therapy chat. If there are any doubts about whether counselling is suitable then I will raise them then and, if necessary, I'll do everything I can to help you find alternative support. 

Do you work in the evening?

Yes, I work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Daytime availability is Monday to Thursday.

How many sessions do I need?

This is an important question, but it is difficult to give a simple answer. In a way it depends on the issues that you start therapy with, and the degree of change that you hope to experience. Some people find they experience sufficient change in 4-6 sessions, others opt for a more open-ended approach where we regularly check in to discuss the client’s goals and hopes for change. As these are achieved often the end-point becomes increasingly obvious.


But the key point is, it’s your therapy, you have control. There’s no minimum commitment, and while a planned ending is preferable, you are free to end therapy whenever you want. I will make sure that the subject of the ending of your therapy remains ongoing discussion between us.


For a more detailed answer, please see my blog, "How Many Counselling Sessions Do I Need?"

How do I know that counselling is safe for me?

As a qualified counsellor / psychotherapist I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and abide by their Ethical Framework. This helps give my clients confidence that I am always working to the very best ethical and professional standards. 

 

In addition, as with all professional counsellors, I have an experienced clinical supervisor who oversees all of my work, ensuring that I am always working in the best interests of my clients and that these standards are maintained at all times. 

I feel anxious about counselling, can you help?

I really get how daunting the thought of coming for counselling can seem. I remember well how nervous I was before my first counselling session. So, my priority is to help you feel as comfortable and at ease as I can. You’ll always be fully listened to, won’t be judged or criticised and I won’t be encouraging to you to go too fast, or talk about things that you aren’t ready to. In fact, helping you remain psychologically safe, and teaching clients how to manage anxiety and remain grounded is a core part of the work I do. For a more detailed answer, try reading my blogs, “Feeling Nervous About Your First Counselling Session?”, and “Are You Nervous About Contacting A Counsellor?”

How do we get started?

If you feel ready to take the next step please phone or text me on 07870 135 986, or email me at andrew@brackenburycounselling.co.uk or use this online form, and I’ll get back within 24 hours to arrange a free 20-30 minute pre-therapy consultation to see if counselling could work for you and whether I am the right therapist to help. If either of us feel this isn’t quite right, I would then do all I can to point you in the best direction for alternative support.

Get in touch

If you'd like to take the next step, feel free to contact me by phoning or texting 07870 135 986, or by filling in this form to arrange an initial online or telephone chat. This gives us a chance to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.

You can also call me on 07870 135 986. If I can't answer, please leave a message with your name and phone number and I'll call back as soon as I can. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have at any stage.

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

©2022 Andrew Brackenbury

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