I remember the first time I had counselling: I was told to be at a certain place, at a certain time for my first appointment, and that was it! I was so nervous when I arrived, and couldn't think of any questions to ask. The whole session was a bit of a blur if I'm honest.
I would hate for any of my clients to feel that way so I do everything I can to make you feel informed and as comfortable as possible before we get started.
Introductory Zoom Chat
I usually suggest that we have a 15-minute Zoom chat before we begin work together. So before we meet I will have sent you an introductory What'sApp or text to inform you to expect emails and where from (they often go into a client's junk mail which I know can be frustrating), and I will also have sent you a Zoom link.
The Zoom chat serves 2 purposes:
To give you an opportunity to see if you would feel comfortable working with me, and
To give me an idea of what has brought you to counselling, and if this is something I am going to be able to work with.
If for any reason I'm unable to work with you I will always try my best to signpost you to someone else who may be able to, as I understand how hard it can be to make contact in the first place.
Joining Paperwork
Once we've met, if we are able to work together and you feel comfortable working with me we will agree a date and time for our first counselling session, and then there is a bit of admin that needs to be done. I do this via email before our first counselling session so that we don't use up the session time on paperwork.
I will send you a New Client Registration Form to complete so I have your key information such as contact details, next of kin, and GP details before we get started.
Any information I store about you must be stored in line with the General Data Protection Regulations so I will also send you a GDPR Consent Form to complete so I know you agree to me storing your information, and you are aware what I use the information for.
Lastly, I will send you a Working Agreement which details:
how we will work together
how I keep our work confidential and any exceptions to confidentiality
how many sessions you can have, and how often we will review our work together
how my work is governed by the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy and what that means
how much each session costs, how to pay me, and how much notice I would like if you need to cancel a session
where and how regularly our sessions will take place
I don't expect you to sign this agreement if there is anything you are unsure of, so I request that you return this with your consent after our first counselling session together, once we've had a chance to talk it through.
The First Counselling Session
Once the first counselling session is arranged you will receive an appointment confirmation and email reminders 7 days and 1 day before the appointment.
In the first session I will take you through an Assessment to understand more fully your situation, what has brought you to counselling, and what you would like to get out of counselling. I will also run through the Working Agreement with you and answer any questions you might have so you feel comfortable working with me.
This first session will last 1 hour to allow enough time to work through everything at a more relaxed pace: every follow-up session will then last 50 mins.
So that's an overview of what happens once you reach out to me. If there's any other information you would find useful about what happens when we first start working together please let me know.
Also take a look at my website at https://www.takingcarecounselling.co.uk/ and to book straight on to a Zoom 15-minute chat please use my online booking system below
Take care,
Rachel
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