FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Counselling

FAQ
"FAQs on Keyboard" © photosteve101
As a lesbian couple, we found Dean safe to work with.

Contents

Frequently Asked Questions on Counselling.

Got a question about counselling/psychotherapy that isn’t included on this page? Use the comments section below to ask.

This is a list of articles (frequently asked questions) that describe aspects of counselling in general, Dean Richardson’s counselling service in particular, and offers answers to a number of frequently asked questions about therapy.

Are you a Christian Counsellor?

Spiritual beliefs and counselling versus the counselling services offered by Dean Richardson.

Brief Counselling or Open-ended Counselling?

“Brief/Focal” counselling or “Open Ended” counselling – which method of therapy might suit you best?

Can counselling help a couple to separate?

Couples who wish to (or have to) separate amicably, who have children or other responsibilities to manage, can find couple counselling a helpful resource to assist both partners in their separation. As a qualified couples counsellor, Dean Richardson can help couples in their focus to end their relationship.

Can I ask my Doctor/GP for Counselling?

Counselling is available on the NHS – with associated waiting lists. You may be introduced to cheaper forms of self-help therapies before you are considered to meet with a fully qualified and experienced therapist.

Can I send someone to counselling…

Wishing to send someone to counselling may be a natural response to anxiety or concern for another person. But, unless the person wishes to come to counselling of their own accord, counselling will remain mostly ineffective.

Counselling for Closet Gay People

Some people are gay. Unlike straight-people, however, all gay people at some time have to choose whether or not to ‘come out of the closet’ (to coin an old phrase). Some people seek support from an LGBT counsellor before making a decision on announcing to the world (or at least family and friends) that they are gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual. Coming out of the closet is not easy for some, and easier for others, but speaking with an counsellor who works with LGBT people can make the decision easier to work through.

Do I ask my Doctor/GP to refer me for Private Counselling?

Deciding on private counselling is something you can do in confidence and without having to see your GP for a referral.

Do I have to pass (or fail?) an Evaluation to get Counselling?

Entering private counsellor does not require an examination, or like IAPT/NHS counselling, does not require you try something else before being offered counselling.

Don’t I have to be mental to go to a counsellor?

Someone new to counselling might be afraid that they’ll be diagnosed with a mental illness. This FAQ explains how counsellors and psychotherapists are not psychiatrists and fears of counselling don’t need to keep you away if you might like to work through some emotional or cognitive matters that you feel may be holding you back.

How do I begin Counselling?

Beginning counselling or group therapy is quite straightforward – and this article describes an easy overview of how you begin counselling/therapy with Dean Richardson

How do I Find and Check-out a Therapist?

When UK Law allows anyone (currently) to describe themselves as a therapist or a counsellor, how do you protect yourself when searching for a therapists?

How do Support Groups End?

A brief overview of how counselling comes to an end

How does Counselling End?

A brief overview of how counselling comes to an end

How Long does a Counselling Session Last?

How long does a therapy session or group session last?

How Long does Counselling Take?

Before beginning therapy, some people want to know: how long will counselling take? Wondering about much time might you stay in therapy is a sensible concern and most therapists will be able to help you with the question. This FAQ article discusses time in therapy.

How Often do I need to go for Counselling?

How often will your counselling appointment be – and how often are group sessions held?

I need Paperwork Completing by my Counsellor

Protecting the confidentiality of the client is vital in counselling work – even when the client thinks that breaking confidentiality will benefit them in some way.

Is Counselling Right for Me?

How might you know if counselling is right for you?

Is Couple Counselling Right for Us?

How do you know if couple counselling might help your relationship?

LGBTQI Language Phrases, Abbreviations & Acronyms

Definitions of phrases, abbreviations and acronyms from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans lifestyles.

On Bringing Couple Counselling to a Close

A brief discussion on how couple counselling can be brought to an end – whether planned or unplanned.

Platonic-Couple Counselling (Professional & Non-intimate Relationships)

Platonic relationships sometimes need help too. By using a qualified & experienced couple counsellor, intimate matters come off the agenda and relationship problems take focus. Working with Dean Richardson in Portsmouth, Hampshire or on Skype, assists platonic relationship to identify and resolve problems.

What can Counselling Help with?

A common question I am asked at the start of counselling is: “Have you worked with this type of problem before?” The client wishes to believe that I can help them if I have successfully helped someone else who worked with the same problems in counselling. There is no guarantees that if I have worked with someone else’s issues that this will shine any promise on another client coming to counselling with the same problems … because counselling is not *done* to you, you are a participant in the process. This page gives a brief summary of some of the subjects that have been presented for counselling.

What can I Talk about in Counselling?

What does Counselling Cost?

What Happens in Individual Counselling?

What if I Don’t like my Counsellor?

What if I Miss a Counselling Session?

What if I want to Change our Arrangement?

What if I want to Raise a Complaint?

Problems occur from time to time between therapist and client – and sometimes this is where the real counselling work happens. But sometimes the problem is something that the client cannot work through and, instead, wishes to complain to someone about. This article summarises how you might raise a complaint about your counsellor.

What is a Counselling Contract?

What is a counselling contract (or ‘agreement’), how do therapists use it, and what information goes into it.

What is an “Assessment” for counselling?

A brief overview about what an assessment is for counselling, Before therapy commences, both client and therapist need to discuss what is required from therapy, and what the therapist can or cannot offer.

What is an Assessment for Counselling (Couples)?

What is an Assessment for Counselling (Individuals)?

What is an Assessment to join a Support Group?

Will my Counselling be Confidential?

When a therapist says ‘our work is confidential’ does that mean exactly what you think it does – and has your counsellor told you exactly what confidentiality means to the counsellor?

Will my Doctor/GP be told I’m in Counselling?

The Gift Of Therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients: Reflections on Being a TherapistThe Gift Of Therapy: An open letter to a new generation of therapists and their patients: Reflections on Being a TherapistThis new edition includes over twenty additional pages of new therapy tips by the author reflecting on the major issues and changes he has seen in the world of therapy since he first wrote this book in 2002.
Tales from the Therapy Room: Shrink-WrappedTales from the Therapy Room: Shrink-WrappedTen fictional short stories give counselling & psychotherapy trainees a unique insight into what actually goes on in the therapy room. Chapter introdu... Read More >
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