Frequently Asked Questions
Approaching a counsellor can feel quite daunting and you may have lots of questions you would like to ask before making a decision to go ahead and book sessions. I hope this page might answer some of those questions, but if you would rather talk in person, please feel free to get in touch by phone or email and we can arrange an appointment to talk face to face.
What is Counselling?
Generally speaking counselling is a more short term therapy that looks at what is happening now in your life and supports you to make the immediate changes you want.
Psychotherapy is usually over a longer period of time and will perhaps take a broader approach, giving you the opportunity to look at issues in the context of your life experiences.
In reality, the difference between the two is not clearly defined and the terms are often used interchangeably.
There are many different counselling approaches and each has a different view as to what may be causing our difficulties.
The basis of my approach originates from a person centred perspective so I believe everything we do or do not do has a reason. Understanding and accepting this, and exploring what drives our decicions even if they don't always seem helpful, gives the potential for change.
However, I will also integrate my Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training and other counselling approaches in our work together, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to meet your individual needs.
How Does Counselling Work?
Person-centred counselling can be particularly helpful for issues such as depression, anxiety, abuse, stress, bereavement as well as relationship difficulties as it gives you space to talk about your own experiences in the way that you want. This means your counselling sessions are always used in a way that will help you most.
As a counsellor favouring a person centred approach, I will not tell you what to do or give advice but I will support you to explore your options.
I believe that you know yourself and what works for you better than anyone else, so using counselling to develop your ability to trust your own feelings and use your own inner resources can be really transformative.
There are lots of strategies you can learn to help you manage/cope with issues and I will integrate these into my approach if this is something that works for you.
What Next?
If you feel ready and would like us to try and work together on issues important to you or if you have any more questions, please get in touch - here are my contact details: Telephone or text : 07935 679005 or email:claire@cegcounselling.co.uk.
If I am unavailable when you phone, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
I work in Lincoln and my office is on the first floor at 72a Newark Road, LN5 8PY above the shop (see image below).
Please contact me before visiting in person so I can meet you when you arrive as there is no permanent reception
I am happy to answer any other questions you may have so please get in touch if you need more information