What would you like to talk about?

Most people would expect to meet their counsellor in an office and this would be considered ‘traditional’ counselling; face-to-face is the most common way for me to see clients.

While building rapport and a positive working relationship, the client and I are able to utilise all our senses to gain an understanding of each other.  Silences are often more comfortable and non-verbal communication is easier to notice, read and consider.  Face-to-face counselling can be a more comfortable space for clients.

When travelling to and from the session the client could use the journey to the session to think about what they want to talk about and the journey home to reflect on what has been said in the session.

By visiting me at my office, the client is assured of a safe space to discuss their concerns and worries, away from a potentially difficult situation, as well as the guarantee of not going to be overheard.

Recent studies have suggested that being in the physical presence of someone who is focused on you can enhance positive hormones in the body, thereby supporting the therapeutic process by enabling the client to develop and maintain a sense of calm, achievement, and regulation.

My office is in Sundon Park in Luton, Bedfordshire.  There is off-road parking, and I stagger my appointments to ensure clients can come and go without having to wait for me to finish a session and have the privacy of not being seen by other clients.  Unlike Freud, in my office, we sit facing each other, there is no chaise lounge, or bed

How does face-to-face counselling work?

• This form of counselling takes place in real-time

• We meet in my office at an agreed time on an agreed day

• We will meet for 1 hour

• This is a safe space for you to discuss any areas of your life that you want to.

• As a person-centred counsellor, I will work with whatever you bring to the session that day.  Your counselling goals are a plan for the sessions, not the only focus.

Advantages of Face-to-Face Counselling

• Face-to-face is a natural way for people to make new social connections

• This can feel like a more personal form of counselling

Disadvantages of Face-to-Face Counselling

• There is travel time and expense to and from sessions to take into account

• You may not be in a position to attend in person, due to illness, childcare or living too far away

Please Note: Happy Hatching Mind is not an emergency service if you are having a mental health crisis.  Please go to In An Emergency for crisis support.