Frequently asked questions
Please click on the questions below to be directed to the appropriate answer.
What happens at a counselling session?
At your first session a counsellor will talk with you for up to one hour. Our aim, simply, is to take you as the people that you are: to do what we can to assist you to talk about whatever you choose to talk about; to listen with care in the hope of understanding your experience; to communicate that understanding back to you; and, by working in partnership with you to explore your concerns, to support you both in finding what you may judge to be the best way forward. We have a web page dedicated to this question. Please click here to go to that page. Top of page
I don't want to waste your time.
Although this isn't exactly a question, but it is a comment that counsellors often hear. While we appreciate you thinking about other people's needs, we would judge counselling to be a waste of time only if you consider that it isn't helping. Counselling is concerned with what you think and how you feel on the inside; so if something seems like a problem to you, that's all that matters. Nothing is either too big or too small. As long as you think counselling may be beneficial, you are welcome to make an appointment. Top of page
Is the service confidential?
Under normal circumstances , nothing you say goes beyond the counselling room unless you want it to, and you say so explicitly. This, we believe, offers a basis for the trust between you and your counsellor that is necessary if you are to feel that it is safe to talk about very private and sensitive aspects of your life. Of course, you still have the right to share whatever you like from your experience of counselling with anyone you choose. Your counsellor receives professional, external supervision in which care is taken not to identify you, e.g. by referring to you by your first name only. A counsellor may only pass on information without a client's agreement in exceptional circumstances. Such circumstances arise very rarely and would be those in which the counsellor becomes concerned that the client or someone else may be at serious risk if information is not released. The counsellor will, if at all possible, discuss his/her concerns with a client before taking any action, in the hope of reaching agreement about what it is best to do. Wherever possible, she/he will also consult his/her supervisor or another experienced counsellor before taking any action. In addition, a client will be asked for his/her consent and informed of any disclosure unless the counsellor judges that this would increase the level of risk. The nature of the disclosure and the reasons for breaking confidentiality will also be recorded in writing. Top of page
How can counselling help me?
Counselling helps you take time out from your situation and see it from a fresh perspective. Working with a counsellor gives you, or you and your partner, a chance to think about what you can do to change your situation for the better. It can also give you a chance to explore complex or difficult issues in a safe and confidential environment. Top of page
How many times will I need to come for counselling?
Mainly, that will be up to you. Generally you will both know when you have achieved your aims in counselling, and that’s when you’ll stop coming. Some people come just once. Others come ten, twenty, thirty, times. The average last year was about ten sessions. It's something you can discuss with your counsellor at any time. Top of page
Is Connect the right place to come for my problem?
The Counselling service is all about relationships and helping you make changes for the better. If you want to talk about your relationships past, present or future, how your family is affected by your relationship, how you can improve your relationship, how you can manage a separation constructively, how you can get over a break up, We are here to help. Top of page
Suppose I find that I don't know what to say?
Many people coming for counselling are surprised by how easy they do find it to talk. But don't worry if you don't. The counsellor is there to support you, and will assist you to tell your story. Top of page
How do I make an appointment to talk to a Connect Counsellor?
To make an appointment call 01803 665604. We have a web page dedicated to this question. Please click here to go to that page.
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Can I come on my own?
Yes. Whether you are single, or if you have a partner who doesn’t want to come or you simply want to discuss things alone you are welcome to bring any aspect of your current, past or future relationships by yourself. Top of page
Can I talk to a Counsellor if I'm worried about someone else?
Yes. Counsellors are happy to support you in working out how you can help someone else who may be a worry to you. Top of page
Do I have to pay for Connect Relationship Counselling?
We have a web page dedicated to this question. Please click here to go to that page. Top of page
What happens if I have a complaint?
Firstly, how we work to avoid complaints:
Counselling depends on the willingness of people to place a high level of trust in the counsellor, Connect Relationship services and the counselling profession. It is our aim to do all that we can to justify your trust. We do so by carefully selecting counselling staff for their professional competence and trustworthiness, and by supporting them through independent supervision and continuing development opportunities. We try to be as open as possible about how we work, especially through written policies and publicly available information. We hold individual and corporate membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and are committed to their Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy. (Click here for more information about the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Ethical framework).By inviting service evaluation from all clients who come for counselling, we aim constantly to improve the way we work.
If we hope that these means will be sufficient to maintain high quality in the counselling service, we recognise also that informal and formal complaints procedures are a necessary additional element to protect counselling clients in case they are not satisfied with some aspect of the service. The following outlines how you may complain.
How you may go about making a complaint.
Complaining within the Connect Counselling service:
If you are unhappy about some aspect of the counselling service you should, if possible, raise your concern first with the counsellor you have been seeing. She/he will do her best to address your complaint.
However, for obvious reasons, you may not always feel able to complain directly to the counsellor. In that case, you should ask for an appointment with, or write to David Lloyd-Hoare BSc(Hons), Managing Director of Mindscape Limited, the parent company of Connect, who will consider your complaint in confidence, following the same principles that are outlined in the question concerning confidentiality outlined above. (see Contact Us)
If you still remain unsatisfied, you should complain to the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Complaining to the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy:
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy operates a formal complaints procedure in relation to its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy. Their recommendation is that you first try to resolve the issue within the Connect Counselling service. But if you are unable to do so to your satisfaction, you can contact the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Professional Conduct Section, who will guide you regarding their formal Complaints Procedure. More information can be found in their Ethical Framework for Good Practice. See the Section entitled "Professional Conduct Procedure."
BACP can be contacted at:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy,
Professional Conduct Section,
BACP House,
35-37 Albert Street,
Rugby,
Warwickshire, CV21 2SG
Tel: 0870 443 5217
E-mail: professionalconduct@bacp.co.uk
What can I do if my question is unanswered?
Counselling does indeed raise a lot of interesting and sometimes difficult questions. If there is anything else that you would like to ask or to discuss, you are very welcome either to make an appointment or to contact us by email. Click here to go to the Contact Us page.
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Please click on the questions opposite to be directed to the appropriate answer.
Counselling does indeed raise a lot of interesting and sometimes difficult questions. If there is anything else that you would like to ask or to discuss, you are very welcome either to make an appointment or to contact us by email. Click here to go to the Contact Us page.