The therapeutic relationship is a key factor in the success of counselling, and it is important to find the right counsellor for you. The relationship is based on trust, respect, care and autonomy. If you choose to work with me, we will take time at our first meeting to understand your expectation of the process and establish how we will work, review progress and reach an ending.
The key to a good therapeutic relationship is openness, empathy and non-judgement. For you to know that whatever you need to say, it will be heard and held safely. For that reason confidentiality is a key factor in the relationship with your counsellor. We can discuss what this means for you and the work we do together on our first meeting.
When considering the right counsellor for you, you may want to find someone who specialises in a particular area or concern, or maybe you are not sure what's at the heart of how you are feeling.
Here's how it was for one client:
"I have seen a lot of counsellors in my time and the one thing you gave me more than anything was time; most people rush you and want you to get straight to the point, you never did this with me." - a client