Counselling & Psychotherapy with
David Parr MA B.Ed MBACP PG Dip.Couns MBPICS CCC Reg

Frequently Asked Questions

Counselling seems a bit scary to me. Can you give me some idea of what to expect?

Everyone has their own experiences of what it's like to spend time with a counsellor. I have had a lot of feedback from people I've worked with who said they wished they had made an appointment a long time ago. The experience of counselling will probably feel very natural and warming with the benefit of being in a space with someone with specialised training.

How long does counselling take?

This can vary between a matter of several weeks to much longer periods of time and depends largely on what you what you want to achieve. Counselling tends to touch on different aspects of your life and quite often you will make connections to different life experiences and phases that are related in some way and worthy of further understanding. We will always focus on what you want to achieve and review progress at regular intervals. People often see me for a period of time and then have a break before returning.

Do I have to talk about my childhood?

You will not be expected to talk about anything that you do not want to. Sometimes people find it painful to talk about certain things from the past that are affecting them in the present. Those experiences can be gently explored only when you feel able to do so and if they will help your present situation in some way.

I don't really know what to talk about or how to begin. What then?

That's fine. I see many people who want to spend some time getting a feel for what counselling is like before sharing things that can be quite painful, especially when meeting someone for the first time. Sometimes we are taught that it's not the 'done thing' to share personal information or to share our feelings with others because it's shameful, embarasing or not'grown up' enough.