Costs & Sessions

1. How much does it cost?

I meet prospective clients free of charge for an introductory meeting lasting about 25 minutes on the basis that there is no obligation on the client/s or me to continue beyond that meeting except by mutual agreement. My fee per 50 minute session is £53 for individuals and £70 for couples.

2. When do you schedule appointments?

I welcome new clients and have appointments available in the morning and daytime, however, I do not have any evening appointments available at present. Please email me for further details. This information was updated on 5th January 2012.

3. How long does a session last?

Usually 50 minutes for individuals and couples.

4. How often would I come to see you?

Usually once a week and usually at the same time on the same day each week.

5. For how many sessions would we work together?

It really does depend. Typically I work with couples clients for 10 to 15 sessions, individual clients can vary from just a few sessions to many more.

6. Can I try a few sessions without a long-term commitment?

Yes. After the free introductory meeting our initial contract is for four paid sessions. These first four sessions are intended to provide a period of mutual assessment so that we can both see whether counselling sessions with me could benefit you. At session number four we would agree to either end there or continue for a further number of sessions or period of time to be agreed.

7. How long would I have to wait to meet you?

I aim to respond to your initial enquiry within a day or two and, subject to being able to arrange a mutually convenient day and time, we will make an appointment to meet soon after that.

Location

8. Where are you?

My practice is located in Wimbledon equidistant between Wimbledon Town, Wimbledon Village and Raynes Park with free car parking usually available.

9. Do you offer counselling at my home or by telephone?

No. I only work face to face, not by phone or online. I only work at my consulting room in Wimbledon.

10. Which geographical areas do you cover?

I tend to work with clients from SW London across the following areas: Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park, Raynes Park, Putney, Fulham, Parsons Green, Wandsworth, Battersea, Earlsfield, Southfields, Clapham, Tooting, Balham, Streatham, Croydon, Morden, Kingston, Coombe, New Malden, Sutton, Surbiton, Worcester Park, Roehampton, Richmond and Epsom. I am pleased to welcome clients from all over Greater London and further but please remember to consider the time you would spend travelling in addition to the usual 50 minute session time.

All About Counselling

11. What sort of counselling do you do?

I am an integrative Counsellor/Psychotherapist which means that I integrate theory from various different psychotherapeutic theoretical models. Among the models I use are TA (Transactional Analysis), Psychodynamic (dealing with unconscious processes), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Relational (which uses the therapeutic relationship).

12. What qualifications do you have?

I am a Senior Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I have a Degree (BA Hons) in Counselling, a Diploma in Counselling and have had training in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Couples Counselling.

13. What is the difference between counselling, therapy and psychotherapy?

A good question and one which continues to be discussed within my profession. My opinion is that there is no difference whatsoever and that the terms counsellor, psychotherapeutic counsellor, therapist and psychotherapist are interchangeable. My Senior Accreditation with BACP is as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist.

14. What experience do you have?

For ten years I have helped people with many different issues in various counselling services in South-West and West London and since 2004 have had my own private practice in Wimbledon.

15. How does counselling work?

Another very good question! With my training, qualifications, experience and ongoing learning, I would be alongside you while we discuss and reflect on the issues that concern you. I am objective, uncritical and non-judgmental. I hope you will gain insight, awareness and understanding into your issues, maybe seeing perspectives and options you had not considered or even been aware of before. I might offer you some ‘tools’ to deal with particular issues, we might discuss changes you could make. Usually I do not give advice. Investing in yourself by committing the time and resources to discuss, consider, reflect and work on your issues is the start of the counselling/psychotherapy process.

16. What happens in a counselling session?

Usually you talk about anything that is on your mind and anything can be a suitable subject for discussion in the counselling room. Sometimes, with certain issues, or with couples clients, I would set the agenda.

17. Can I arrange counselling for someone else?

There are times when we feel we want to help a friend, partner, husband, wife, son, daughter or other family member to deal with their problems and arranging counselling/psychotheary for them can seem like a good idea. However, in my experience, for counselling to have as good a chance as possible of being effective, it is best for the motivation to come from the individual - with our support and encouragement. In the case of couples, both partners need to be committed to the therapeutic process. ‘You can take a horse to water but you cannot make it drink’ is an apt saying here.

18. Anything else I should know?

Counselling/Psychotherapy requires work and it needs Commitment with a capital C. It is a Commitment to and an investment in yourself and, in the case of couples, to your relationship or marriage. Are you ready, willing and able to commit to and invest in yourself or yourselves? Before starting therapy you need to carefully consider whether you have the time, money and energy to commit to attending a counselling session every week. Like a lot of things in life, effectiveness and results relies on what you’re willing to invest in time and effort.

19. What sort of people come to see you?

All sorts of people with all sorts of issues! Women, men, young people, older people, married people, single people, divorced people, separated people, people of all ages, backgrounds, races, cultures, religions and sexual orientations.

20. Does counselling work?

See what some previous clients say about this by clicking on the How Allan Can Help You page.

21. Is what I tell you confidential?

Yes, however there are certain ethical and legal exceptions which I would be pleased to discuss with you.

22. Would you contact my GP?

There is usually no need to speak to your GP except in certain circumstances where I would be ethically obliged to do so.

23. Are you the right counsellor for me?

Hundreds of satisfied clients have been through my doors. There may be some situations where I may not be the right therapist for someone, and I would always discuss this with you if and when this arose.

24. Can we meet?

After exchanging emails or speaking on the phone, if I think I could be the right counsellor to help you, we would arrange a free introductory meeting and I would ask you to complete my questionnaire online - my Start Form.

25. What is the Start Form?

The Start Form gives me a fuller picture of you and your issues. Having read your form, if I still think I could be the right counsellor to help you, I would confirm the appointment for a free introductory meeting.

26. What happens in the introductory meeting?

A free introductory meeting is not a counselling session but a chance to meet, chat, ask questions, put a face to the name and see how we get on together. A free introductory meeting should give us a better idea of whether a course of paid therapy sessions with me could help you. A free introductory meeting lasts about 25 minutes and is free on the basis that we would only progress to paid counselling sessions by mutual agreement after taking a day or so to reflect on whether we would like to work together. If we agree to continue, it would initially be for four paid counselling sessions, the period of mutual assessment.

27. What is a Counselling Contract?

It is a written document setting out the details of how we work together. Before we start paid counselling sessions I would email you my Counselling Contract and ask you to read through and agree it before we start or alternatively raise any questions or concerns you might have.

28. How do I get started?

Get in touch with me through the Contact Allan page of my website.

29. Can I ask you any other questions not covered here?

You are very welcome to, just Contact Allan.