COUNSELLING WITH MICHELLE HAYES

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM COUNSELLING WITH ME

​

I will listen. I will give you space to explore. I will not judge you. I may challenge you from time to time. This helps you to look at things from different perspectives. If I think that you would benefit from different support I will say so.

​

People come to counselling for many reasons. Some are in crisis; some seek to improve their lives or their sense of well-being; some come because they have an issue which is disturbing them, or an addiction; others come because they’re looking for a secure and confidential place to talk about their problems. Whatever the reason, counselling is not always an easy process. Tears are not uncommon in a counselling room. In the short term, counselling may be upsetting,

but in the long-term the chances are you

will leave the process happier and

healthier.

​

RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING

If you are coming for relationship

counselling there will be sessions when

you are together with your partner or

other family members, and some when

you attend individually. When I work with

a young person I sometimes invite other

family members into a session, with the

agreement of the young person. All

sessions are confidential, but you can

expect me to break confidentiality if

something emerges that means that

anyone is at risk of harm and we can't

manage that risk together.

​

COUNSELLING VIA ZOOM

If your sessions with me are via Zoom or telephone we will probably be speaking to one another from our homes. You will

need to make sure that you are in a space

where you are comfortable, will not be

distracted, and feel that you can speak

freely and confidentially. I will do the

same.

​

FACE TO FACE COUNSELLING

Face to face sessions are usually offered from my home. Please arrive at the time that we have agreed. I have no waiting

area and manage times to ensure privacy

for all my clients as they arrive for, leave

after, and are in, sessions.

​

WALK AND TALK

If you have booked walk and talk

sessions we will agree how you would

like me to manage situations where we

may bump into others.

​

REGISTERED MEMBER OF THE BACP - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

You have the right to expect your counsellor to adhere to high professional standards. As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy I am governed by a code of ethics (contained in the BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy) which sets down the values, principles and

personal moral qualities required in my

practice. The fundamental values of

counselling and psychotherapy are:

·       Respecting human rights and dignity

·       Ensuring integrity of practitioner-client relationships

·       Enhancing the quality of professional knowledge and its application

·       Alleviating personal distress and suffering

·       Fostering a sense of self that is meaningful to the persons concerned

·       Increasing personal effectiveness

·       Enhancing the quality of relationships between people

·       Appreciating the variety of human experience and culture

·       Striving for the fair and adequate provision of counselling and psychotherapy services

​

​