UKCP Registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Frequently asked questions
Want to find out more?
Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions to help you consider whether counselling might be right for you. If you have any other questions please do get in touch.
Ready to get started?
Book an introductory session or email constancecounsellor@gmail.com.
Counselling in person & online
WHO IS COUNSELLING FOR?
Counselling is for anyone looking to understand themselves better or improve their mental health, emotional wellbeing, and overall life satisfaction. Everyone experiences challenges, stress, and difficult feelings at some point, and counselling offers a safe, supportive space in which to explore these aspects of your life, as well as your emotional and behavioural responses to them. You don't have to be struggling to seek counselling, or have a particular issue or trauma you want to address. It can also be helpful in expanding your self-awareness, finding opportunities for personal development, and building your confidence and self-esteem. In fact, you may even find you can dig deeper and learn more when not in active distress.
WHAT CAN COUNSELLING HELP WITH?
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges including managing stress, anxiety and depression, processing grief or loss, improving relationships, overcoming trauma, navigating life changes or transitions, and exploring self-identity. You don't have to be in crisis to benefit - counselling can also support personal growth, help you overcome fears and limitations, and increase your sense of agency in tackling life's challenges. Beyond addressing immediate concerns, the therapeutic relationship can facilitate profound change, including: •Supporting the formation of new neural pathways as you shift your perspective •Helping you develop a secure attachment style •Treating chronic shame and challenging limiting beliefs •Integrating traumatic memory so you can feel safe after danger has passed •Learning to self-regulate and sit with difficult feelings •Improving emotional literacy and mind-body connection •Breaking intergenerational patterns •Fostering genuine self-acceptance and self-worth •Creating new ways of living that align with your values
WHEN SHOULD I HAVE COUNSELLING?
There is no wrong time to have counselling. You might decide it’s the right time for you to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed by emotional stress or life challenges, or to address specific difficulties or areas such as: •anxiety, depression or mental health concerns •coping with trauma or difficult past experiences •navigating relationship issues or conflict •managing major life transitions like loss, career change, menopause, diagnoses or divorce •struggling with self-esteem, confidence and/or identity •sex and sexuality •problematic or maladaptive behaviours •existential questions around life, death, meaning, and purpose You might also decide to come to counselling not for a specific reason or difficulty, but with the aim of understanding yourself better and increasing your self-awareness, leading to personal growth and development. It is a uniquely personal choice whether and when to have counselling, and your relationship with your counsellor will be equally unique and co-created. Some people may choose to have short-term sessions, while others may opt for long-term or open-ended. Sessions are generally weekly; it's my belief and experience that this is most effective as it allows the therapeutic relationship to develop and the work to gain momentum, particularly at the beginning.
WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING?
A psychotherapeutic counsellor is a trained professional who helps people with emotional, psychological, or mental health issues using talk-based therapy methods. Our work combines the supportive, listening-focused approach of counselling with deeper psychotherapeutic techniques that explore underlying issues, patterns, and past experiences. This means we can support you in the present, and help you explore the deeper roots of what you’re experiencing. As an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and member of the Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Intersubjective Psychotherapy College (PCIPC), I’m trained in several modalities, including psychodynamic, humanistic and CBT, which can be tailored to the needs of my individual client. Sometimes I work with clients in a more short-term solution-focussed way, but often the work is longer-term and exploratory. For example, if you find yourself struggling in relationships, we may choose to focus on communication skills, emotional regulation, and on exploring patterns of behaviour that may be influenced by past experiences, such as attachment issues or unresolved trauma. By creating a consistent, reflective space where your thoughts, feelings and past experiences can be explored safely, I can help you to make real, lasting changes at your own pace, and not just provide quick fixes.
WHAT DOES INTEGRATIVE MEAN?
Integrative counselling is based on the idea that no one approach works for every client or every issue. Instead, the counsellor draws from multiple theories and techniques to tailor therapy to the individual’s unique needs, personality, and situation - rather than expecting the client to fit into a specific theoretical framework. Integrative counselling is flexible, holistic, and person-centred. My practice is a blend of elements of Psychodynamic, Humanistic, CBT. and Existential therapies, and is informed by Attachment and Intersubjective theories and Neuroscience.
HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT COUNSELLOR?
There are many things that may factor into your search for the right counsellor, and who you ultimately choose to work with. These might include: - What you're seeking help for (e.g. anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma) - Whether there is a particular approach or therapy you prefer or are interested in (e.g. psychodynamic, CBT, humanistic) - Whether you prefer someone with lived and/or professional experience of certain demographics (e.g. LGBTQ+, cultural, ethnic minority groups) - The counsellor's qualifications and experience - Whether they are a member of a professional body such as UKCP, which means that they are committed to working within their ethical framework, their training is of a high standard, and they undertake continous professional development - Whether you would prefer face-to-face or remote sessions - Your instincts: can you imagine feeling safe to be vulnerable with this person, that they can hold your feelings and story? Do they make you feel at ease and as comfortable as possible? Research demonstrates that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in determining how effective counselling will be, so it's really important to find the right fit for you. There is no obligation to continue after the introductory session if it doesn't feel right.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE FIRST SESSION?
For in-person sessions in Norwich, we'll meet in my comfortable, private counselling room in The East Building in The Cathedral Close. The space is quiet and confidential, and designed to help you feel at ease. We'll sit in comfortable chairs, and you're welcome to bring anything you need with you, such as fidget toys or a cup of tea. For online sessions, we’ll use a secure, encrypted video platform called Doxy. You'll need a private space where you feel comfortable talking, a stable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone. I'll send you a link before our session - it's straightforward to join, even if you're not tech-savvy. You don’t need to come prepared, and during the session itself there's no pressure to fill every moment with talking. Some sessions might be very conversational; others might include silence while you're processing thoughts or feelings. You're in control of what you share and when. I'm here to listen, reflect, and help you explore what matters to you at your own pace. Sessions are 50 minutes, and we'll typically work together at the same time each week to create consistency and routine. The first session is mostly about getting a feel for whether we will work well together. We will talk about what you would like to address in counselling, whether it’s specific or more general. I will gather a certain amount of information about you, your current circumstances and your history. This information is strictly confidential, and is only used to help me to understand and support you better. If you'd like to arrange an introductory session, please get in touch via my contact form or email constancecounsellor@gmail.com.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
Counselling is a uniquely personal experience and process. Some clients will choose to work short-term only, while others will prefer to leave it open-ended. We can review regularly as we go, to make sure you are getting what you need from our time together.
HOW MUCH ARE SESSIONS?
Sessions last 50 minutes and are priced at £65, payment is via bank transfer. I offer weekly sessions in Norwich or online across the UK via the secure video platform Doxy.
DO I NEED TO PAY IF I CAN NO LONGER ATTEND?
If you are unable to attend a session, please contact me at least 48 hours in advance to let me know. Sessions are charged in full for late cancellation or non-attendance. While I do understand that these things happen, this is necessary so that I have an opportunity fill the session and keep my practice running.
HOW SOON CAN WE START?
This depends on my current availability and whether our schedules align. Sometimes I can accommodate new clients within a week or two; at other times there may be a short wait. Please get in touch to discuss availability - even if I can't see you immediately, I'm happy to suggest other counsellors who may have capacity, or you can join my waiting list if you'd prefer to wait to work with me specifically. If you'd like to arrange an introductory session, please get in touch via my contact form or email constancecounsellor@gmail.com.
HOW DO I BOOK A SESSION?
Please get in touch with me either via email (constancecounsellor@gmail.com) or by using my booking form on the Get In Touch page of my website.
