WELCOME
Hello, I'm Dave, thanks for visiting my website. I understand that making the decision to start or re-start counselling can be a difficult one and finding the right therapist for you is critical to its success.
Everyone is unique, complex and has difficulties in their life. Whether you have a specific issue, a life event that has had a big impact on you, or a more general sense of not feeling 'ok', counselling can help.
This page will tell you about how I work, my credentials and experience. The FAQ section addresses common questions people ask when looking for a counsellor.
MY APPROACH
I am a qualified integrative therapeutic counsellor. An integrative approach brings together different elements / approaches to therapy which best fit you and your therapeutic needs as the client, rather than one fixed approach for everyone.
My integrative approach puts the relationship between counsellor and client at the forefront of the work.
As well as talking about what is going on for you in the present day, we might explore your past and/or what is happening on a subconscious level, in order to enable you to understand yourself and your feelings better.
I am also a sight loss counsellor, accredited by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and a BACP accredited Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression practitioner - which I incorporate into my integrative approach as appropriate.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
I am a registered member of BACP which is the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. This is important as I am bound by both their Ethical Framework and Professional Conduct Procedure which centre on ensuring I work professionally, safely and ethically with my clients.
I am also listed on the BACP Therapist Directory, Pink Therapy and the RNIB website.
I am fully insured and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
EXPERIENCE
I have experience working with adult (18+) men and women of all ages and backgrounds.
I have worked with clients coping with problems related to;
Ageing
Abuse
Addiction
Anger
Anxiety
Bereavement
Confidence
Cultural expectations
Depression
Disability
Discrimination
Domestic violence
Family issues
Financial problems
Grief
Guilt
Identity
Isolation
LGBT+ related issues
Loneliness
Loss
Parenting
Physical health issues
Racism
Relationship issues
Self-esteem
Sexuality
Shame
Social anxiety
Stress
Study and work-related pressures
Suicidal thoughts and ideation
As well as private practice, I have worked previously as a counsellor and assessor for the mental health charity Mind, as a student (18+) counsellor at London Metropolitan University and on the helpline for Stonewall, a leading Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) charity.
SESSIONS & FURTHER INFORMATION
I offer one-to-one counselling sessions to adults (18+) online and by telephone. See Services page for more details.
Please see the FAQ sessions for more information or get in touch to ask any questions and arrange an initial session.
SESSION OPTIONS TO SUIT YOU
Your Sessions - Your Choice
ONLINE SESSIONS VIA ZOOM
Meeting online via Zoom is increasingly popular. It's a convenient and time efficient way of having counselling without the need to travel to a physical location. It also enables us to work together wherever you are in the UK.
Why Zoom?
Zoom is regarded as one of the most secure sites available for online communication. Zoom does not need to hold any of your personal information to hold sessions. I will send you a link to our session online.
Please note you must be able to be in a private, confidential space for Zoom sessions where you can't be overheard or interrupted. You will also need to be able to download the Zoom app on a phone, laptop or other device.
TELEPHONE SESSIONS
Telephone sessions allow full flexibility. Some clients enjoy getting out from their home environment for a walk, while they have their session. Others find that talking on the phone is more comfortable for them rather than working on screen or in person.
Phone working doesn't require you to have access to the Zoom app or to travel to an in-person session.
Please note that you should be able to speak from a confidential space where you can't be overheard or interrupted. You will also need to have a good reception for telephone sessions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'VE NOT HAD COUNSELLING BEFORE, HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM READY?
You have made the first step already. The fact you are looking at this site suggests you are ready.
Feeling unsure or anxious about starting or re-starting counselling is very natural.
Counselling may be uncomfortable for you at times, but the majority of people find having a confidential and judgement-free space to talk about what is happening for them to be very healing.
CAN I BOOK A ONE-OFF SESSION TO SEE HOW I FEEL ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Yes, absolutely. The focus of our first session will be how we might work together, what your hopes and expectations are and to see how we connect initially.
After the first session you can decide if you want to book another one.
WHAT WILL A SESSION BE LIKE?
You can talk about whatever you like in our sessions. You are in control and there is no requirement for you to explore anything you don't feel comfortable discussing.
In a session we will talk about whatever you bring, and explore what is going on for you.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
This very much depends on you. Every client is unique and it's impossible to say upfront how many sessions you might benefit from having.
Very generally speaking, most clients would have at least 6 sessions for help with a specific, self-contained issue.
We will regularly review the work together and agree to a further number of sessions. You can end our sessions at any point but I always encourage a final session if possible, so that we can bring our work to a close.
WILL YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO TO FEEL BETTER? WILL COUNSELLING SOLVE MY PROBLEMS?
Counselling is about working together to help facilitate growth and change for you. My role is to help you find the answers for yourself.
I won't tell you what to do or give you advice but I will support you in exploring what will help you to, for example, change how you think, relate more effectively to others or think more positively about yourself.
If appropriate, I may suggest resources (podcasts, websites, books) which may benefit you.
WILL I HAVE TO SIGN ANYTHING?
You will be asked to sign an agreement before we have our first session together.
This outlines the important aspects of how we will work together - including my confidentiality and cancellation policies.
You will also be asked to provide some basic information and consent to my Data Usage policy.
CAN I CHANGE THE SESSION TYPE IF IT'S NOT WORKING FOR ME?
Yes, we can agree to change how we hold our sessions as appropriate.
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
See the fees section below for my current rate.
DO YOU OFFER IN-PERSON SESSIONS?
Currently I only offer online or telephone sessions. This is due to demand which is significantly higher for these methods of counselling. I will offer in-person sessions in the future as demand changes.
HOW DOES ONLINE OR TELEPHONE COUNSELLING WORK? ISN'T 'IN-PERSON' BETTER?
Most people find that online or telephone counselling works well for them because it is convenient and they can do it from a place they feel comfortable which reduces feelings of anxiety about therapy. Clients generally feel less inhibited than when 'in-person'. Online and telephone counselling is considered be as effective as 'in-person'.
FEES
Online & telephone sessions are £60 per session.
All sessions are 50 minutes long.
Payment by bank transfer.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact me today to schedule a session or for more information about working together:
You can call, message or email me and I'll get back to you.
If I am unable to answer your call then please leave a voicemail and I will call you back.
davesearlecounselling@gmail.com