Frequently Asked Questions about Counselling with Allan Kelly
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
1. When is your first available appointment? My practice is currently full and I am unable to see new clients until after Easter. This information was updated on 3rd March 2010.
2. How much does it cost? My fee per 50 minute session for new clients is £50 for individuals and £60 for couples. I meet prospective new clients free of charge for a first meeting lasting about 30 minutes on the basis that there is no obligation on the client/s or me to continue beyond that first meeting except by mutual agreement.
3. How long does a session last? Usually 50 minutes for individuals and couples. Sometimes, by mutual agreement, for example for an opening session with couples clients, a longer session lasting 75 or 100 minutes can be useful. In such a case, we would agree the duration of the session in advance and I would charge for it pro-rata based on my usual session fee.
4. Would I come to you? Yes. I only work face to face, not by phone or online.
5. Where are you? My practice is located in Wimbledon equidistant between Wimbledon Town, Wimbledon Village and Raynes Park with free car parking usually available.
6. Which geographical areas do you cover? I prefer to work with clients who live or work near my practice in Wimbledon. The areas my clients tend to come from are 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. Clients do travel further to work with me but please remember to consider the time you would spend travelling in addition to the 50 minute session time.
7. How often would I come to see you? Usually once a week and usually at the same time on the same day each week.
8. For how many sessions would we work together? I work with some individual clients for just a few sessions and with others for years. Typically I work with couples clients for 10 to 12 sessions.
I meet prospective new clients free of charge for a first meeting (not a counselling session) lasting about 30 minutes on the understanding that there is no obligation on you or I to continue beyond that first meeting except by mutual agreeement. If after a first meeting we agree to work together, it would be for 4 paid sessions for which I would charge my usual fee (see FAQ 2 above) . These 4 paid sessions provide a period of mutual assessment for us to get a better idea of how we work together. It also provides an opportunity for us to identify and begin to explore the issues.
In the 4th session we would discuss whether we wish to continue working together and if so for how long.
9. How long would I have to wait to meet you? My parctice is currently full and I am unable to see new clients until after Easter. This information was updated on 3rd March 2010.
10. What sort of counselling do you do? I am an integrative counsellor which means that I integrate theory from various theoretical models. The theoretical models I use are TA (Transactional Analysis), Psychodynamic (dealing with unconscious processes) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
11. What qualifications do you have? I have a Degree (BA Hons) in Counselling, a Diploma in Counselling and have completed trainings in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Couples Counselling. I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
12. What is the difference between counselling, therapy and psychotherapy? This a question that 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 Accreditation with BACP is as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist. I refer to myself as a counsellor.
13. What experience do you have? 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.
14. Is what I tell you confidential? Generally yes, however there are certain ethical and legal exceptions which I would be pleased to discuss with you.
15. Are you the right counsellor for me? I hope so but I am not the right counsellor for everyone. Let us discuss and see if and when we meet.
16. Can we meet? After exchanging emails or speaking on the phone, if I think I could be the right person to help you, I would arrange a first meeting with you ask you to complete a questionnaire online - my 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 person to help you, I would confirm the appointment for a first meeting.
A first meeting is not a counselling session but a chance to meet, chat, ask questions and see how we get on together. A first meeting should give us a better idea of whether a course of paid counselling sessions with me could help you.
A first meeting lasts for about 30 minutes and is free of charge on the understanding that we only progress to 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 4 paid counselling sessions. Before we started I would draw up a Counselling Contract setting out the details on which we would work together, email it to you, ask you to read through it and agree it.
17. What sort of people come to see you? All sorts of people with all sorts of problems! 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.
18. How does counselling work? With my training, qualifications and experience I would be alongside you while we discuss and reflect on the difficulties in your life. As I am not personally involved, I can be objective, not critical or judgemental. I hope you will gain insight, awareness and understanding into your problems and maybe see perspectives and options that 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 making the time available to discuss, reflect and work on your problems is the start of the counselling process.
19. 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.
20. 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 for them can seem like a good idea. However, in my experience, for counselling to have as good a chance as possible of being successful 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 counselling process.
In the words of the saying ‘You can take a horse to water but you cannot make it drink.’
21. Anything else I should know? Yes, counselling is a chat…and it isn’t! It’s work and 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 counselling you need to carefully consider whether you have the time, money and energy to commit to attending a counselling session every week.
22. Does it work? See what some previous clients say by clicking on my testimonials page.
23. How do I get started? Get in touch with me through the Get Started page of this website.
24. Can I ask you another question? Sure, just Contact Me.