Schedule a free appointment
You may feel your friends would not understand what you are going through. I offer a safe space to talk to a professional counsellor in a confidential and non-judgmental environment and will help you make sense of it all.
Welcome
My name is Siobhan and I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
I am able to offer counselling from my private practice based in Harrogate and Otley, within easy reach of Knaresborough, Ripon, Wetherby, Ilkley, and Burley in Wharfedale.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, losing hope and you just want things to be different?
Do you want a happier and more fulfilling relationship?
Are you feeling unhappy, frustrated or stressed at your work?
Do you want to overcome self-doubt and anxiety?
Everyone can use some support every now and then – I can help you gain greater insight to empower yourself and improve your relationships and career, as well as increase your self-
confidence.
Recognising you need some support is the first step – a great strength.
Areas of Expertise
I can help individuals and couples to communicate more effectively and improve the quality of their relationship.
I can help you if you are struggling with bereavement or loss of independence due to sudden health changes.
I can show you how to make changes in your pattern of behaviour and make positive changes.
I will support you in exploring your issues and helping you to meet your goals.
How does it all work?
Step 1:
Schedule your free consultation
Our first meeting is free of charge.
This meeting enables you to ask any questions and get a feeling for what counselling involves.
It gives you a chance to tell me about why you have come to counselling, and a chance for me to assess your problems and difficulties.
Step 1:
We create a plan for you to move forward
In the next appointments we will explore your reasons for coming to counselling in more depth, look at what your desired outcomes for counselling are, and set the goals for counselling. We will also look at realistic plans to achieve your goals and draw these up.
Over the sessions we will explore your problem and review our progress together
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the first meeting?
The first meeting is called an initial assessment. This meeting enables you to ask any questions and get a feeling for what counselling involves. It gives you a chance to tell me about why you have come to counselling, and a chance for me to assess your problems and difficulties.
It provides an opportunity for you to decide the goals of therapy and whether you would feel comfortable working with me. At this meeting I will also gather some personal information and if we agree to work together to look at the practicalities of our work together such as fees, cancelling appointments, and the number of sessions.
However you are under no obligation to go forward with therapy as choosing your counsellor and feeling comfortable with someone is a very individual process.
How long does therapy last?
Therapy lasts for 60 minutes. It is important you arrive on time for your appointment and provide plenty of time for parking.
How often will I see you?
It is important that session are weekly in the beginning until the therapeutic relationship is established. Once the therapeutic relationship is established I am happy to reduce the sessions to fortnightly if this is what you wish to do.
Most clients are weekly but reduce the frequency of their session to fortnightly towards the end of counselling and I am happy to oblige. For some people this is a way of realising they are coming to the end of the counselling process themselves.
What happens if I am going to be late for a session?
I understand sometimes if people are late but if you could ring me or text me to let me know I would appreciate this. Please appreciate the hour for your appointment cannot be extended and the full hour will be charged.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality will be gone through thoroughly in the initial assessment and you can ask me any questions in person. Your sessions are subject to professional confidentiality. I will not pass on your personal information or attendance at counselling with any other person, unless you ask me to do so. There are some exceptions below
- If I think you are at risk of harm to yourself or other people
- If I believe a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse or harm
- A court may be able to subpoena me for information and under these circumstances I am required by law to tell the truth under oath
- If you share information with me about terrorism or a serious criminal offence I am required by statutory law to report this
Should I need to break confidentiality I will firstly discuss the situation with you, unless the situation requires me to act immediately to safeguard the physical safety of yourself or others.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
The first counselling session (the initial assessment) is free but all future counselling sessions are £45. Both appointments take 60 minutes.
I ask that you pay in advance the day before if paying by bank transfer. I will provide you with the details once a first session has been arranged. There is also the option to pay by card, cash or cheque at the beginning of the session.
Do you offer concessions on your fees?
I offer concessions to students and to non-working individuals of pensionable age.
What ways can I pay for counselling?
I accept payment by BACS, card payment, cash and cheque.
What happens if I do not attend an appointment or cancel it?
All missed appointments are charged at the full fee. Cancelled appointments less than a full 24 hours notice prior to your appointment are charged, this also includes illness.
I operate a discretionary policy for some situations but these are discussed on an individual basis.
If you need to contact me to rearrange or cancel an appointment my telephone number is on the website.
What happens if the counsellor cancels my session?
I will always give you advance notice of any holidays I will be taking. Should I cancel a session for a unforeseen reason you will not be charged for this and I will re-arrange an appointment with you as soon as possible.
Pricing
Individuals
£45
for a 60 minute session
Plan Features
- Payment by card, bacs and cash
- Concessions available for seniors and NHS staff
- Concessions available for 6 session block booking.
Why Choose Me?
I promise I will do my best to make you feel at ease. I am committed to providing a safe, confidential and supportive environment where you will feel listened to.
I will work collaboratively with you to explore your feelings and thoughts we can explore your issues together to enable you to move forward.
Schedule a free appointment
If you have read this far you are you are close to taking the first steps into counselling. Schedule an appointment and I will get back to you to have a chat to see how I can help you move forward.
