Here are some frequently asked question which may help you to decide about therapy.

How will I know if my counsellor is qualified?

When you choose a counsellor ensure that they have a qualification which is either accredited with, or recognised by a professional body. This will show the therapist has completed a minimum of 400-450 hours of college based training and also achieved the required supervised face 2 face client work. Ask your therapist for details of their qualifications with an explanation of what this means. If you’re still unsure, you can contact their professional body in order to verify their qualifications.

There are many counselling courses which do not require face 2 face client work, this is an essential part of training.

Why should the therapist I choose be a member of a professional body ie BACP?

At this present time there is no legal requirement to be a member of a professional body. However by choosing a therapist who is a member of a register, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, will ensure that they hold sufficient qualifications and insurance. To be a member of a professional body the therapist is agreeing to meet certain criteria:- partake in regular supervision, continue their professional development and hold valid insurance.

How will I know if my therapist is insured?

By being a member of the professional body you are required to hold insurance. Professional bodies audit their therapists at random to ensure that they are working professionally which includes holding insurance, having supervision and continuing their development.

Is it confidential?

Therapy at Subconscious Healing is confidential, it is a space for you to talk openly to somebody who is there for you. If you want to talk to somebody else about your session that is your choice.

Confidentiality can be broken. This will happen if you tell us that you are, or somebody else is at serious risk of harm. We would then need to talk to somebody else, we will always try to inform you of this before hand.

Will you tell my family?

No, unless I ask you first or if you ask me to. Confidentiality at Subconscious Healing will only be broken if I feel that you or somebody is at serious risk of harm.

Gillick Competency

• A small child, from birth to 11 years old, would certainly be regarded as too young to make a properly informed decision affecting their life, like whether or not they should have a surgical operation. Hopefully parents and doctors will discuss things with the child – but the final decision will be up to the parents.
• By age 13, the child is usually old enough to have a good idea of what is happening – but still, if it is a matter of giving consent for a surgical operation or similar, the child’s parents will almost certainly make the final decision.
• 13-16 years old is a bit of a grey area. Some kids will know exactly what is going on, what they need and what they want. Others may not be quite so sure about what exactly they are agreeing to.
• 16-18 years old, a young person is old enough to make their own informed decisions about what they want to happen. Or are they? An 18-year-old who has special needs, is very distressed, or is misusing drugs or alcohol might not be at all safe to make good decisions.

“As a general principle it is legal and acceptable for a young person to ask for confidential counselling without parental consent providing they are of sufficient understanding and intelligence.” (Gillick v West Norfolk AHA, House of Lords 1985).

What happens if I see you in the street?

At Subconscious Healing we find it easier not to communicate with our clients outside of the therapy session. We are not being rude or ignorant, we are keeping our side of the confidentiality contract.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends of many things, the individual client, the issues that are brought to the therapy and how deep-rooted these issues and emotions are. A national research study has shown that around 50% of clients begin to see improvement after 8 sessions, whilst 75% show an improvement after six months. It is important to remember improvement is not successfully completing therapy.

How long does each session last?

At Subconscious Healing the therapy sessions are 60 minutes long, however these can be flexible. Please ask for more details.

How regular should I see the therapist?

It is recommended at Subconscious Healing that you see your therapist on a weekly / fortnightly basis, however we understand that this may not be feasible for you. Please discuss this with your therapist on the initial consultation.

What happens if I cannot make a session?

If you cannot make your appointed session please can you inform Subconscious Healing via telephone, text or email. Please can you give 24+ hours notice. Any cancellation within 24 hours will incur a cancellation fee.

What happens if my situation gets worse before I see you?

If you feel suicidal or scared of harming yourself you can contact your GP, or dial 111 and choose option 2 – your situation will be assessed by a mental health professional who will give you information on what to do next. Alternatively you can contact The Samaritans (16+) 116 123 (free of charge) ChildLine (Under 16) 0800 1111 Free of charge)

If you feel that your situation is getting worse I would advise you to contact your GP.

I may be very emotional, does that matter?

Not at all. Subconscious Healing is a comfortable and confidential setting. You will be given time to work through your emotions and you are able to take a break if you need to, remember that this is your therapy.

Where can I park my car?

There is secure off road parking available on site. This is accessed via a double gated access.

What if I do not wish to have counselling anymore?

If you decide that you would like to end your counselling you will need to discuss this with your therapist in order to bring your therapy to a satisfactory close.

If you feel that you are not good at endings or that you cannot do this face to face, you could give notice in writing to your therapist. Please do bear in mind of your agreement that you made at the beginning of counselling with regards to ending the process.

What happens if I have ended but need more?

Subconscious Healing understands that life can be an emotional roller-coaster. Once your sessions have ended, you will go away and process your therapy. You will be able to work with the tools that you have gained from therapy. However you may feel over time that you need to revisit something or you may need to work through something else. That is fine it is ok to return to therapy.

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For any unanswered queries please email, telephone or text:-

Email : clare@counselme.uk

Telephone: 07793116363