You've made contact - so what happens next? Information about the introductory chat and first counselling session

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 always request that we have a 15-minute Zoom chat before we begin work together. I understand that once you've made the decision to look for a counsellor you may be keen to just get started with sessions straight away, but it's important that you are given the time and space to make the right decision on who to work with.

If you book the introductory chat using my online booking system you will receive an email acknowledging the booking within 24 hours. Sometimes these emails go into individuals' junk mailbox which I know can be frustrating, so I ask people to check their junk mail if they haven't received anything within 24 hours.

Before we meet I will have sent you an introductory message to inform you what emails to expect and where from, and I will also have sent you a Zoom link for our meeting.

The Zoom chat serves 2 purposes:

1) To give you the opportunity to ask me any questions you might have, to see if you would feel comfortable working with me and,

2) To give me a brief idea of what has brought you to look for counselling, to see if these are topics I am able to work with.

At the end of the Zoom chat I will check in with you to see if you would like to book in for your first session with me, or if you would like some time to think about it. It's so important to feel comfortable with your counsellor, so some people like to meet with a few before deciding who they want 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 had our introductory Zoom meet, 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 before we can start working together. 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, 3 days, 1 day, and 1 hour 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

Taking Care Counselling - Online Booking System

Take care,

Rachel