f.a.q.
Whether you’re coming to therapy for the very first time or are looking for a new therapist, you’re bound to have some questions. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions. If, however, you have a question that isn’t on the list, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Counselling is a supportive space where you can talk openly about what’s happening to you. It gives you the chance to reflect, and make sense of your experiences with someone who will listen without judgement. Together, we can explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns in a way that helps you understand yourself more fully.
Counselling isn’t about being given answers—it’s about discovering your own. With the right support, you can find new perspectives, develop healthier ways of coping, and move towards a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and true to who you are.
It’s also a place where you can bring the parts of yourself you might find difficult to share elsewhere. Whether you’re struggling with a specific issue, going through a period of change, or are simply feeling stuck, counselling can help you feel heard, understood, and less alone in what you’re going through.
At its heart, counselling is about creating a safe and confidential relationship where you feel supported and accepted just as you are. From there, we can begin to gently explore what matters most to you, and find ways forward that feel manageable and authentic to you.
Deciding to go to therapy can be a big step. It’s important that the therapist you choose is the right fit for you, because you will be sharing a lot of information about yourself – in some cases, you might be discussing things that you’ve never told anyone before.
It’s likely that when you first come to counselling, you’ll be feeling vulnerable and a little nervous. This means that being able to trust your counsellor is essential. A big part of that is feeling safe and this starts with the knowledge that your counsellor has the necessary qualifications and training to support you. So, the first thing you need to know is that the titles ‘therapist’, ‘counsellor’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are not protected terms. This means that anyone can use them, regardless of their qualifications, and they can be used by people who hold very different job roles (a drugs counsellor for example may not provide talking therapy). That can make it very confusing when you’re looking for counselling and psychotherapy.
With this in mind, the best way to find a counsellor is to look for registered membership of an organisation such as the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). The BACP vets its members by ensuring that counsellors and psychotherapists are qualified, have the appropriate levels of experience and commit to working to professional and ethical standards.
It also means that if you have concerns about the standard of service provided by your counsellor, and they have not addressed your concerns or you don’t feel able to discuss your concerns with them, then you can contact the BACP for advice and support.
Helen holds a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Brighton, which qualifies her to work therapeutically with adults.
As a registered member of the BACP, she adheres to their ethical principles to ensure that she provides you with a safe and professional practice.
Helen is also fully insured to provide counselling.
Humanistic counselling is based on the belief that every person has the potential to grow, heal, and find their own way forward when given the right conditions and support. It focuses on understanding your unique experiences and allows us to explore them together with openness, curiosity and without judgement. Rather than diagnosing or giving instructions, the approach invites you to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and choices, helping you to connect more deeply with yourself and what matters to you.
Helen says: “In my own practice, I am mainly informed by existential therapy, which draws on philosophy and explores the big questions of life. This means I’m particularly interested in the challenges that come with being human – challenges such as anxiety, uncertainty, the search for meaning, and the desire to live authentically. Alongside this, I also draw on Transactional Analysis and Gestalt therapies, which can help us explore patterns in relationships, increase awareness of how you engage with the world, and experiment with new ways of being.”
“Together, these approaches create a supportive and thoughtful space where you can explore your experiences, reflect on your values, and begin to move towards a life that feels more balanced, empowered, meaningful, and true to who you are.”
Each session with BEP Therapy in Tunbridge Wells or online is 50 minutes long and costs £70. We offer a free introductory call and the initial session costs £35.
Sessions take place at BEP Therapy’s counselling rooms at Royal Victoria House, 51-55 The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells or online via Teams.
This will depend on you and what you want to get out of therapy. When you first come to therapy, we will discuss whether you’d like to come for a fixed number of sessions, with the option to extend if required, or if you’d prefer a longer or an open-ended agreement.
Helen will undertake an assessment in your first session together. This gives you the opportunity to tell her what brings you to therapy, with the understanding that you may not feel ready to share everything yet. You can also ask any questions about how she works.
Subsequent sessions are your time to use as you choose. Most of the time, sessions will focus on talking about your experiences and explore and process how you feel. If Helen feels it will be helpful, she may offer you the chance to undertake some creative work, such as drawing, to deepen your work together.
Confidentiality is one of the most important elements in helping to create a safe and boundaried space for counselling. Broadly speaking it means that what you tell your counsellor stays between the two of you. However, there are some situations where a counsellor may need to pass on information to another professional. These may include where there is a legal requirement, if you or someone close to you is at risk of harm, in supervision or when referring you on to another service for support. These situations should be explained to you at the start of the work and will form part of the contract between you and your counsellor.
If you need to cancel an appointment within one month of the appointment date, 50% of the fee is chargeable if 48 hours’ notice is given. If less than 48 hours’ notice is given the normal full charge for the missed appointment is payable.
If you are in crisis and believe that you or someone else is in immediate danger, please dial 999.
If, however, you need immediate mental health support, the following organisations can help:
Samaritans: Free call 116123
Shout (text service): Text ‘Shout’ to 85258
SANEline (open 4pm to 10pm): 0300 304 7000
Papyrus HOPELINEUK (for people under 35): 0800 068 4141
I can normally respond to your enquiry within 24 hours to arrange a counselling appointment.
When you’re feeling vulnerable, if a counsellor says they can’t work with you, it can be easy to assume that your problems are too much or that there’s something really wrong with you. This isn’t the case; there are a number of reasons why a counsellor may decline to work with you. Here are a few:
- They are not taking on new clients or do not have availability at the time you need.
- They do not have appropriate training in the area you are seeking counselling for. This is very important because it is possible to retraumatise people.
- The issue you are experiencing is similar to one they or someone close to them is experiencing, so they would struggle to remain impartial.
- If they know you or you are likely to come into regular contact socially (for example, you both attend the same gym) as this could stop them being objective and impact their professional judgement.