Counselling is the space and time to think and talk about you and you alone. People find it helpful for different reasons. It can:

• Help you talk about something difficult that you’ve never shared before
• Explore parts of yourself and your relationships and help you make sense of them
• Let out stress and help you learn how to cope better
• Just provide comfort that someone is there for you
• Be just a safe place to work things out
• A Space to learn highly effective coping strategies.

Counselling isn’t about me giving you all the answers. It’s about me supporting you as you find your own solutions, and help build your confidence and self-esteem.

text or call: 07451211748

email: hello@empathyoffered.com

By appointment only:

High St,

Wetherby,

LS22 6LR

The truth is only you can answer this. People see successful outcomes in therapy if they genuinely feel therapy, counselling or psychotherapy will help them. If you are seeking therapy because "your partner or family or friends want you to" (and you are going along with it). The truth is you probably aren't quite there in the right space for  therapy to be effective.

This usually depends on your individual circumstances. You can see me sporadically for just 1 or 2 sessions to talk through a specific life obstacle or life decision. You can book a set number of sessions to work through a specific mental health problem or see me regularly for long-term support.

Any appointments booked via the online booking system require payment online. This occurs at the time of your booking or by verifying your card for a later payment.

Bank transfer payment can also be arranged if needed.

I offer my clients an appointment at the same time, same day of the week. I find this offers stability, reassurance and the setting of boundaries.

Cancellations
I require 48 hours in advance to cancel an appointment . In such cases a 95% refund will be made. If less than 48 hours notice is given 0% of fee is refunded.

Rescheduling an appointment.
I require 48 hours in advance to reschedule an appointment . In such cases a 95% refund will be made. If less than 48 hours notice is given 50% of fee is refunded.

I understand life happens and if you need to reschedule I will always try my utmost to accommodate but cannot guarantee re-scheduling on the same day due to prior client commitments.

Having said that if you are having problems with timings please talk to me - I am open for dialogue and we may find some interesting work in such conversation. Yasmin

I understand at times situations are out of our hands but if you arrive late for your appointment I will have to finish our session at the scheduled time due to the fact I will most likely have other clients scheduled.I will not be able to extend your time, despite my good intentions.

At the time you might feel I don't care, or you may feel annoyed with me. It is O.K to feel like this - and if we discuss this it can bring some interesting work into the therapy room.

A counselling/ psychotherapy session lasts a full 60 minutes. I advise clients to arrive 5- 10 minutes prior to their appointment so they are able to settle in.

Again it depends on the client. The most common is one a week. Some clients will have two a week or more if working on particular goals. Occasionally clients will have one every two weeks. I also work with clients who are seeking ad hoc counselling or intensive therapy to overcome a particular issue.

It really is down to personal preference and what time and location allow. I use a therapy platform which is secure and encrypted and accessible online, this offers video calling. Some clients only like to see me face to face in person. Some clients use both methods - resorting to online when rushed or travelling.

Other clients only use online face to face video calling for their therapy or coaching sessions. This can all be discussed and arranged at your assessment. If you feel during your contract - you would like to change your method this can be done also.

In some cases online therapy is not a suitable method for what the client is facing. In this case I will always discus this with you openly and if need me refer you on to a therapist who will suit your specific needs.

I'm going to say "no" in the majority of cases. It normally takes a few sessions for you to become aware of changes and improvements in your life. Change, acceptance,  shame, guilt, denial  ..... boy these are difficult emotions. It takes time.

Quite often counselling and therapy can initially be painful but rest assured that I will try my upmost to ensure you are safe by the end of your session.

I have a proven track record of achieving positive results with clients.

Recent studies from the International Centre For Clinical Excellence showed that 80% of clients in Counselling and Therapy end up better off than those who didn’t seek help. Sometimes the results are not always immediate, so you may think it's not working.

Therapy is a process - on occasions you may feel annoyed or angry with your therapist. It is worth talking through any possible  rupture, even though it may feel a little awkward. It may help you explore blocks or patterns in your life.

The following are questions to ask a Counsellor and Therapist as recommended by the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I will discuss these kinds of things with you so that it’s very clear how we will work together. It's always a good idea to make a list of questions to bring with you at the assessment. How many sessions will I have?

• What type of therapy do you offer?
• How much will it cost?
• What happens if I miss a session?
• What happens if I want to take a holiday, will I still have to pay?
• Will the counselling be confidential?
• Will you make notes during the session, and if so, what happens to these?
• Can I contact my therapist in between sessions?

I expect that you may feel nervous, cautious, or unsure about our meeting, and there may be many questions you feel at the start you cannot ask me. Sometimes it's easier to put those in writing and email me them.

Working together of a time period will bring us closer together during our collaborative working relationship. At the same time, I adhere to the strictest of ethical guidelines set out by the BACP and am unable to offer clients a relationship extending out of the therapy room.

This doesn't mean at times I don't or I won't think of past and present clients with a certain fondness. Anything further I cannot offer.

This is a really common worry. What will my counsellor think of me?

All counsellors are trained to be non-judgmental in their approach and to respect differences and diversity. If you do feel judged, try and open up to me about how you’re feeling. It could help you clear obstacles.

Remember as well that how much you tell me, and what you tell me, is up to you. Pace yourself if you need to, so you build trust with me gradually. So if a few sessions later you tell me something different than from the start. Thats O.K for me.

You don't have to worry that I might judge you. I would just think you weren't ready then and now you are. Wow we have made progress. Once you feel safe, you may find you can't stop talking – which will feel empowering!

Crying is normal and could happen at any point during counselling. I may pass you some tissues, I have a big box (well a few boxes) nearby.  As a service, I have a policy that means I won't automatically hug you (even though I may want to!).

However this is something we will discuss in our assessment and agree on as I do appreciate everyone has different cultures and expectations. Quite often I will agree on virtual hugs - provided either by the eyes,  or me blowing you a hug. This I find keeps people safe, yet also acknowledges the value and meaning of a hug.

To feel able to cry during your sessions can feel really empowering. Recognise that your feelings are important and someone can be there for you. Also, crying can give you a new way of expressing yourself, containing and naming your emotions, soothing yourself, and understanding your feelings.

Even if I seem understanding… but I will end your session anyway, this I understand can cause you all types of confusion and you could end up thinking things like:

• Does she even care?
• Why can’t she give me some more time?
• No one is there for me
• Wow could she just do that?
• She calls herself a qualified therapist?
• I feel so low and alone.

These feelings are important, so share them with me as they happen. Or maybe write them down when you get home and bring it with you to the next session. You may want me to extend my time with you but, generally, I won't be able to do this.

Try and plan your therapy days so you don’t have to rush off somewhere straight afterwards. Give yourself time before and after your session to re-calibrate yourself back into the world.