Bill Baker Counselling and Consultancy

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What is Counselling or Psychotherapy?

Therapy means "curative powers" and "healing". Psychotherapy means "talking treatment". Counselling means the same. No touch is involved at all.

How do I choose a counsellor or psychotherapist?

There are many types of psychotherapy/counselling but research shows the success of your therapy depends, above all, on the therapist's ability to form a 'therapeutic relationship' with you. Choosing the right counsellor(who feels right to you) is the key to a successful counselling experience.

I offer an introductory appointment so you can make sure you are comfortable with me.

Fees
Length of therapy
The counselling process

What sort of counselling/psychotherapy do you practice?

I am trained as an integrative therapist drawing theory and expertise from a number of traditions. I have my individual therapist’s toolbox and I will use the appropriate tool when needed from a wide spectrum of possibilities.

How do I know you are bona fide?

It is common sense to consult a practitioner who is properly registered with a respected and established ethical organisation. I am registered with the BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and work to its ethical code.

Will you reveal anything I tell you?

No, complete confidentiality is guaranteed except in the most extreme instances where serious harm might result to yourself or others.

Will it work?

Yes, usually. I am the catalyst for changes in you and your understanding of yourself and your place in your world. Counselling is not a miracle cure. It does produce change and positive change can sometimes seem pretty miraculous!

How can we monitor progress?

At the beginning of your counselling we will define as far as is possible what has brought you to counselling and agree what it is you want to achieve. This will serve to guide our counselling process and sets agreed goals against which we can measure our progress.

Do you think you are strong enough to take on my problems?

Yes. My training and my experience equips me to reliably take on your problems. The symbol of the strong oak tree in my logo reflects this quality.

One client told me she had been through years of previous therapy without daring to confront her therapist with the real problem. Not surprisingly the previous therapy was not very helpful.

Is there a danger I could get dependent on therapy?

Less so than taking tablets!

Length of therapy

How long will my therapy last?

It depends on you and your needs. Once we have agreed to work together, usually I will suggest we start with an initial six session period. This allows us to forge a trusting therapeutic relationship and get into our work together.

You may feel relief after a single session in that you have been able to talk about an issue. However, the issues and problems you bring have probably built up over a number of years, if not your entire lifetime.

Counselling needs time to help you work through them. Usually I suggest an open-ended approach, giving us time and space to work for as long as it is beneficial and there are unresolved issues.

Fees and conditions

How much are your fees?

There is a standard fee for the initial session to be paid cash or cheque at
that session or in advance by credit or debit card via Paypal. In the initial session we will agree how the therapy is best structured, the fees and the payment schedule.

Can I miss sessions?

The regularity of the meetings is vital for the therapy. A client commented: “You are the first person in my life who's ever been reliable".

Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours notice are always charged.

The counselling process

What do we do in a session?

We work together. I listen a lot. Clients have told me: “I have never felt listened to before.” The therapy revolves around the quality of this therapeutic relationship between us.

How often will we meet?

Usually we will meet for an hour, once a week at the same time. It could be more frequently by arrangement depending on your needs and what we agree is best for you.

What is an assessment session?

Near the beginning of your therapy I may spend some time asking you questions to find out about you, your medical history, your background and your family context.

Is having therapy difficult?

Therapy demands participation but I go at your pace and you will be processing your thoughts between sessions too.

Will my therapy effect others?

Undoubtedly those nearest to you will experience changes in you and live through your difficulties and successes as they always must.

Perhaps I should go the medication route

Sometimes medication such as anti-depressants are helpful and necessary. But they are rarely the whole solution. Swallowing a pill is easy but has side effects. Basically it relieves the symptoms but does not tackle the root cause.

Counselling works organically and holistically to help you.