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There is never a perfect time to step out and ask for professional help. Asking yourself questions whether you are feeling overwhelmed, scared, or hopeless because of a current situation, your past, unhealthy relationships, abuse or trauma can guide your decision to this question. And then, noticing whether you are finding life difficult and therefore emotionally struggling to cope indicates that reaching out and speaking to someone professional is the best next step.
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I offer an initial 30-minute online session for free. During this time, you will be able to meet me without a sense of pressure to start therapy.
I will forward you a contract once we complete the online assessment and agree that we can work together. Once I receive the signed contract, we will start with therapy, and I charge £65 for a 50-minute session.
I offer short-term (6-12 sessions) and open-ended therapy, which can be face-to-face in South West London (SW14) or online, depending on your needs. At our first session, we will discuss what could be appropriate for you.
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During our 50-minute sessions, you can share what is on your heart and mind. Counselling psychotherapy aims to provide you with a confidential opportunity to safely explore personal and relational issues. My role is to help you through this process without judgement or telling you what to do. I may, on occasion, give information or offer suggestions. Goals that you aim to reach might be set and agreed upon between us.
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I have worked with clients with a wide variety of difficulties and have noticed that the majority of clients tend to seek support because they feel anxious or depressed.
As our work progresses, low self-esteem, family issues, trauma, abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual, religious), addiction, complex relationships (past or present), loss (current or historical), infertility, and miscarriage can be the source of the anxiety and low mood.
Also, whilst working for the NHS, I supported clients that presented more severe mental health difficulties. If you would like to see a full listing of the areas of counselling psychotherapy I deal with, please follow this link.
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Sessions will last 50 minutes, either online or face-to-face counselling in London SW14, as agreed. A regular slot will be agreed upon between us, depending on mutual availability for specific times. For the best progress, a weekly session at a regular time is advised. Later on, during the course of your therapy, we can decide whether reducing sessions to a fortnightly basis is the next step.
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I find it helpful to keep notes of our sessions. These are brief and help me keep track of the topics and themes covered. Notes are kept locked away in accordance with the Data Protection Act and GDPR. They will be destroyed three years after the start of therapy.
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Counselling often involves the disclosure of sensitive and personal information, so confidentiality is very important. To protect your right to privacy, the things you disclose to me will remain confidential between you and me.
Furthermore, as a counsellor I am required by my profession and as a member of BACP and ACC to have regular supervision sessions where I will discuss aspects of my clinical work. This is to encourage continuous development and support for myself and clients. Supervision itself is confidential between the counsellor and supervisor and both of us are bound by BACP’s and ACC’s ethical framework for good practice.
If I feel that either you or someone else is in danger or at risk of harm, I would first endeavour to discuss my decision to break confidentiality with you.
However, I retain the right to break confidentiality without prior consultation with you should I consider that the situation's urgency requires me to act immediately to safeguard your or others' physical safety. Depending on the circumstances, this may be your General Practitioner (GP), the individual in danger, a Social Worker, and/or the Police.
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I do not provide emergency clinical support. If you feel you are experiencing a mental health crisis you should be get immediate expert advice or an assessment. Please contact your local GP and ask for an urgent appointment or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department as soon as possible. For more details follow this link.
You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK Line). They offer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19.
If you have private medical insurance, most providers have a helpline for mental health and well-being. Please make use of this opportunity to contact them.
“Working with Madelene has been a journey to self-exploration and acceptance. She never made me feel uncomfortable; she created the space I needed to think, reflect, and share my inner thoughts. Learning how to navigate difficult situations improved the quality of my life.”
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