What is Telephone Counselling ?

Telephone counselling takes place when a client speaks with a counsellor over the phone. It can be useful for a single call to clarify a specific issue, or to find out where to seek further ongoing help. It can be a series of calls, arranged with a particular counsellor, spaced out to allow time for the client to process each conversation.
Whilst telephone counselling is not a substitute for face to face counselling, it is equally as effective. It is secure, confidential, and, if required, completely anonymous. It proceeds at a pace that the client is comfortable with and is of particular benefit to those who, for whatever reason, may be unable to use face to face counselling.

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How Does Telephone Counselling Work ?

At an agreed time I will ring you on a landline number you provide for this purpose. Each telephone call lasts for 45 minutes and we ask that you take this call in private. At the end of the call you can decide whether you wish to have any further sessions, and at what intervals between calls. It may be that we decide another agency would be better suited to your needs or that you have been able to find a resolution to your difficulty or situation, in any event, you are under no obligation to have further sessions.

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Getting Started

1.	Read the terms and conditions
2.	Complete and submit the online Questionaire.	The information you provide will be treated with the utmost confidence. It will be used to gain an understanding of your problem and allow me to establish whether online counselling would be beneficial to you. I may even suggest other forms of counselling if I think them appropriate.
3.	I will contact you to arrange a mutually acceptable appointment.	At this point, if you have not already done so, you will be asked to complete the online Questionaire.
4.	If you wish to continue then make a payment.	I accept payment through Paypal, a secure online fast and convenient payment service. More information is available in the How To Make A Payment section of this page.
5.	If you have not already been given an appointment then you may make one online.

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How Much Does It Cost?

For a full range of fees and discounts please visit the "Fees and Services" section of this website.

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How To Make A Payment

Payments can be made through PayPal, a fast, secure, online payment service. There are two methods:-

1. Click on the "Make a Payment" or "Fees and Services" link and click the appropriate "Buy Now" button.

NOTE : I do not, at any time, have access to your financial information.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Telephone Counselling

The Advantages of Telephone Counselling

• Provides direct access for people
  • Living in remote areas where there may be limited transport and few, if any, local therapists
  • With certain disabilities, for example, people who are less mobile
  • With social anxiety or phobias
  • With long-term illness and their carers who may be unable to leave them
  • Who do not have childcare
  • Without lengthy waiting lists

• Clients can have counselling in the comfort of their own surroundings, enabling them to relax and open up more easily. Clients may feel anxious, embarrassed, ashamed, self-conscious or simply nervous working face to face with a counsellor.

• No travelling time or expense incurred.

• Anonymity is preserved and may be enhanced, helping to reduce any perceived stigma involved in having counselling.

The Disadvantages of Telephone Counselling

• Telephone counselling will not be appropriate for all clients in all situations. Our service is not suitable for those who are suicidal or those who are under the age of consent (under eighteen). In addition, telephone counselling may not be appropriate for people with certain disabilities, for example, persons with hearing dificulties or those with special needs, people with psychoses, severe personality disorders and people with drug and alcohol addictions.

• Lack of visual communication may be a limitation for some clients and counsellors, but not necessarily for everyone.

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