FIONA PHILLIPS COUNSELLING
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Some questions I have been asked in the past, with answers. Send me a contact request if you need to know anything else.
HOW OFTEN WOULD WE MEET?
We would usually meet weekly unless your situation suggests we should do otherwise. I find weekly sessions are the best way to build a strong working relationship. It also creates a momentum to the work which generally means more consistent progress can be achieved. However, we are all different, as are our circumstances. We can discuss what works best for you and your situation and create a personal plan for you.
HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?
The sessions are 50 minutes for individuals and couples. There are occasions where extended sessions could be beneficial. We can tailor what is needed to the individual or couple.
WHERE WOULD WE MEET?
My consultation room is in a separate building the grounds of my home. It is a comfortable, private, relaxed and welcoming space. It is located in Liphook, Hampshire. Close towns and villages include Haslemere, Farnham, Liss, Guildford, Grayshott, Godalming, Bramshott, Churt and Petersfield.
DO YOU TAKE NOTES?
I don’t take notes during the session time but I do make brief notes after the session to refer back to if necessary. Notes are encrypted and stored securely in my practice management system.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
I have full professional indemnity insurance.
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY PROFESSIONAL BODIES?
I am a fully Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), who have verified my experience and credentials and assessed my ability to serve as a professional counsellor. I am also a member of the Hampshire Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (HACP).
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT?
I meet with a supervisor each month as suggested in the BACP ethical guidelines. This process ensures I am working ethically and to a professional standard with my clients. Any discussions we have about my work are anonymous and completely confidential.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A SESSION?
When we begin our work together we will discuss and sign a working contract between us. This is simply to make sure we both understand how the counselling process works, it is not a commitment to numbers of sessions. In this contract, it mentions that you would give me 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel a session to enable me to reschedule the time slot. I totally understand that this is not always possible and we could discuss unusual situations on their own merit.
If you are late for your session I will be able to work with you in the time remaining.
If your circumstances change and you need to change your regular time slot, I will be as flexible as possible.
You will not be charged for sessions you have given me advanced warning that you will not be able to attend, for example for a holiday or work commitments.
I will give advanced notice to you of any times that I will not be working. In the event of something unexpected like illness, I will notify you as soon as possible and offer an alternative time. You will not be charged for any sessions I cancel.
CAN WE MEET ONLINE/REMOTE OR CALL IF I CAN’T COME IN PERSON?
I find that meeting face to face is often more effective, however meeting remotely is now common-place and can also be very effective. I am happy to work in person, via remote video service or telephone. For remote sessions I use a secure encrypted Telehealth service or telephone sessions when needed.
HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT THE COUNSELLING TO GO ON FOR?
Everyone is different, I don’t generally work with a fixed number of sessions. I could give you an idea of what may be needed after the first one or two sessions as a guideline but there are no hard and fast rules. I would certainly be led by you and would check with you and review your feelings and progress so we could discuss when you feel ready to bring the sessions to a close.
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
A session lasts 50 minutes.
£70 per Individual session
£85 per Couples session
I offer a free 30-minute consultation to help us assess whether I am the right Counsellor for you.
HOW DO I PAY?
You can pay by bank transfer or cash.
CAN I COME JUST ONCE OR TWICE?
Of course, you can. There is no obligation to the number of sessions you do. I will follow your lead as to how you would like to work.
IS EVERYTHING REALLY CONFIDENTIAL?
Everything is absolutely confidential. We sign a contract together at the beginning of the counselling process that states this. The contract does say that the only exceptions to this are a legal obligation to report a crime or in a situation where I felt there was a physical danger to yourself or others. In either of these cases I would discuss the need to share this information with the relevant people and seek your permission before disclosing any information. If you refused, I would still have to share the information. Notes are not on a computer and are stored securely in line with the data protection act (1998).
WHAT DOES ACCREDITATION MEAN?
I am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, which is the UK’s leading professional body for Counselling. This means I have demonstrated to them that I have sufficient training and experience as a Counsellor and that I work ethically and to a professionally recognised standard. To maintain this status, I am required to undergo monthly supervision at a required level, to by fully insured, to show full awareness of professional and ethical ways of working and to be regularly undertaking additional professional training to update and increase my skills.
WHAT TIMES DO YOU HAVE AVAILABLE?
I work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday daytimes.