Ways to Work Together
Ways to Work Together
Counselling doesn't have to look the same for everyone.
I offer in-person counselling in Bristol, Walk & Talk counselling and online sessions.
Whichever way we meet, sessions are 50 minutes and the same principles of confidentiality, respect and therapeutic relationship underpin our work.
For some people, having a separate physical space for therapy is important. Travelling somewhere specifically for counselling can create a boundary around the time and provide somewhere away from everyday responsibilities to think and talk.
Sometimes sitting opposite someone in a counselling room doesn't feel like the most natural way to talk. Walk & Talk counselling allows us to work therapeutically while walking outdoors.
Moving and being outside can create a different experience of counselling. Walking side-by-side may feel less intense than sitting face-to-face and, for some people, movement can make thinking and talking feel easier. The natural environment can also give us things to notice – movement, seasons, weather, change, stillness – without needing to make any particular use of them. Walk & Talk is still counselling. It isn't a fitness session, and there's no expectation about pace or distance, there is nearly always a bench nearby.
Before our first Walk & Talk session, we'll discuss practicalities including the route, accessibility, confidentiality, weather and what we would like to do if we encounter someone either of us knows.
Online counselling can be useful if travelling into Bristol isn't practical, you have caring or work commitments, or you simply feel more comfortable talking from your own space. It also means we can continue working together if your circumstances or location change.
Its best if you have a laptop / tablet, something with a screen larger than your phone. Phones are OK but you might prefer to see better and often you can get a bit uncomfortable over time. Video calls are over Teams, you can access this from a web browser and don't need any special tech.
You'll need somewhere private where you are able to talk without being overheard.
Sometimes you don't have the right person to talk to and / or you just need some space to think.
I offer one-off sessions via secure video call, where we can sit alongside a particular issue. We can slow things down, untangle what feels complicated, explore what matters to you and think together about what might help.
These sessions aren't counselling or a substitute for ongoing therapeutic work. They're a focused, supportive space to help you find a little more clarity and decide what you want to do next.
There's no "right" way to have counselling.
You may already know what suits you, or we can talk about the options when you contact me. Depending on availability and what works therapeutically, it may also be possible to discuss changing between online and in-person sessions.