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19th March 2024 

Frequently Asked Questions.

Is counselling confidential?

As counselling is a safe space for you to talk about whatever your concerns are, counselling and confidentiality naturally go hand in hand. The only and very rare time when confidentiality might have to be thought about, would be if someone is at risk of very serious harm, and this aspect of confidentiality would be talked about during the first session.

It is talking about very private and personal worries and knowing that these things will be listened to and carefully witnessed by another human being in a safe and contained way can in itself bring about an unburdening; releasing someone to fulfil their potential, and so overcome the obstacles in their life.

So trust and confidentiality play a key role in successful therapy.




How many sessions will I need?

This is just about impossible to answer in a categorical way. It depends what you really want from counselling. For instance some people want to use their sessions to think about something specific in a highly focussed way, such as why they find themselves feeling so stressed out and tired. In that case it might take six to eight sessions to come to some sort of resolution.

For other people counselling might form part of an ongoing support and exploration of deeply hidden problems, and those people might decide on longer term psychological help.

The choice will be yours, and you will not be pressurised into having more sessions than you want, that would be unethiclal. You can also stop counselling at any time.


Do you see people in the evening or at weekends?

Yes, I see people in the evening and at weekends.
Evening appointments are usually at 6.00 or 7.45 but can be flexible.


How long is a session?

My assessment and counselling sessions are usually sixty minutes long.


Do you see children?

No I am sorry I don't counsel children, and by that I mean anyone under eighteen years old.


How much does it cost?

The first session is one where we come to agreements over times and frequency of sessions we will also talk over what you could expect from counselling. it is also an opportunity for you to consider whether I am the right counsellor for you, so for this initial one hour session the fee is £20, after that, subsequent sessions are £40 per hour.


How often do I come to counselling sessions?

In my experience it is usually best to come at the same time once a week, however alternative arrangements can be made for people who feel that they would like to come more often, or for those that would perhaps prefer to come along on a more irregular basis. It depends what you are really looking for.


Why do you use the name Pentagram on your website?

It is to do with seeing people as multi-faceted, complex and intricate. It also has something to do with creating a safe place for people to talk about whatever they want; and I just like the word itself.


What happens if I can't make it to a session?

So long as you give me 24 hours notice there will be no charge for a cancelled session.
As Pentagram is an independent counselling service we have to ask for the fee when appointments are missed without any notice at all, so please let us know if you can't make it. However, I do realise that things happen in life and missing an appointment at short notice might be unavoidable, so in circumstances when somebody really can't make it and couldn't let me know in time, then of course commonsense says that there would be no charge.


What is the first step?

The first step is to arrange an initial appointment, and that can be organised over the phone or by e-mail. I can usually see people within a few days or a week at the most. If it is not possible to arrange an appointment I will do my best to help you to find a qualified counsellor in the area.


How do I get in touch?

My home number is 01923 262725

There is a private and confidential answering machine, so if I can't get to the phone please leave a message, or your number and I will get back to you as soon as I can.


To e-mail me just click here to open the e-mail contact form.

or you can e-mail tony@pentagramcounselling.co.uk


To see where I am just click here for google maps which should open a
new window with a map showing how to find me.