How do you set it up?
The first thing to do is to phone or email me to check that I am the right Counsellor for you. You can ask any questions you want to about how the Telephone Counselling Service works.
I cannot always respond to urgent requests but will try to respond to any communication within 48 hours (longer at weekends).
If we decide that Telephone Counselling would be helpful to you, we will agree a working contract. To be effective, Telephone Counselling needs to be carried out in a structured, pre-defined way. Therefore, contracting will include an arrangement for the first Telephone Counselling Session and the time and frequency of future sessions, (typically weekly). This ensures that we are both prepared for the counselling calls and that confidentiality and privacy is maintained.
Sessions can be booked for daytime or evenings (weekdays only).
At the end of the first session you can decide whether or not you wish to continue with further sessions, and arrange the next session if you want to continue. This is also the time to discuss how you feel about this method of counselling and for us both to reassess if we feel comfortable working together.
Should you decide that after an initial time receiving telephone counselling, you wish to meet face to face, then this too can be arranged.
If I feel that Telephone Counselling is not the best form of therapy for you, I will try and refer you to an alternative/appropriate form of support.
If I feel it is in the best interests of the client or myself, I reserve the right to cease counselling work with that client. Any monies outstanding will of course be fully refunded.