FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Counselling & Coaching Questions Answered
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSELLING AND COACHING?
Counselling gives you space to explore and understand what you're experiencing, including how past experiences or patterns may be affecting you in the present.
Coaching is more forward-focused. We start with where you are now, where you want to get to, and what will help you move towards it.
There can be some overlap, but they are distinct ways of working. If you're unsure which would be most helpful, we can explore this together.
HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER COUNSELLING OR COACHING IS RIGHT FOR ME?
If you want to understand yourself more deeply, explore difficult emotions or experiences, or work with patterns from your past that are affecting you now, counselling may be the better fit.
If you have a goal, decision or change you want to make and want to focus primarily on what happens next, coaching may be the better fit.
Sometimes the distinction isn't immediately obvious. If you're unsure, get in touch and we can explore which approach would best support what you're looking for
WHO DECIDES HOW MANY SESSIONS I NEED?
For counselling, you decide how long you want to continue. There’s no set number of sessions, and we’ll regularly review how the work is going and whether it continues to feel useful to you.
Coaching is usually more structured and time-bound. We’ll agree the initial number and frequency of sessions together, based on what you want to achieve, and review this as we go.
WHY ARE YOUR COUNSELLING AND COACHING FEES DIFFERENT?
Counselling and coaching are different professional services, with different pricing structures within each profession.
Counselling is often longer-term and may involve regular sessions over an extended period. Ethical practice includes consideration of financial accessibility to mental health support, which is reflected in how counselling is typically priced.
Coaching assumes a level of psychological wellbeing and is focused on development — helping someone move towards a desired change, goal or advancement in their personal or professional life. Coaching fees reflect this different professional context, as well as the accreditation and experience of the coach. I am an EMCC-accredited Senior Practitioner Coach.
The difference isn't about one being more valuable than the other; it reflects the different purpose, context and structure of each service.
WHAT IS YOUR BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY?
To secure your session, payment is made in advance. I’ll send you an invoice with the payment details before your session.
While I aim to accommodate schedule changes, the session is held exclusively for you. Therefore, non-attendance and sessions cancelled within 48 hours of the appointment are charged in full.
DO I NEED TO SIGN A CONTRACT?
Yes. It’s important that we agree the terms and boundaries of our work together, including confidentiality.
For counselling, the counselling agreement is available through the password-protected client login section of this website, so you can read it before our first session.
For coaching, I’ll provide a coaching agreement tailored to the work we’ve discussed during your discovery call.
Any questions can be discussed before you sign.
WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU ONCE I MAKE CONTACT?
I aim to respond within 24-hours on standard weekdays from receipt of your message, often it's much sooner.
Note, sometimes email responses may go into your spam/junk folder. Please check these if you have not heard from me.
DO YOU OFFER LOWER-COST COUNSELLING?
I have a limited number of lower-cost weekday counselling sessions available during standard working hours. These are offered on a sliding scale and a fixed number of sessions may apply.
These spaces are currently full.
ARE YOU REGISTERED WITH A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION?
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within its Ethical Framework for counselling and psychotherapy.
I am also an EMCC Senior Practitioner (EIA) accredited coach and work within the EMCC Global Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
Yes. I hold professional indemnity insurance covering my counselling and coaching practice.
For international clients, UK policies and legislation apply. My insurance does not allow me to work with clients residing in the USA or Canada.
DO YOU OFFER ONLINE COUNSELLING?
Yes. I offer online counselling via Zoom or Google Meet, as well as face-to-face sessions from my practice in Hackney Wick, East London.
Online sessions are available across the UK, using the same relational and integrative approach as my in-person work.
DO YOU OFFER ONLINE COACHING?
Yes. I offer Life Coaching and Business & Leadership Coaching online via Zoom or Google Meet, working with clients across the UK and internationally.
You can also work with me in person in East London, with City of London sessions available by arrangement.
DO YOU WORK WITH CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE?
No, I only work with those aged 18 & over.
If you are a young person seeking counselling, or are looking for a therapist to work with your child, please search for a counsellor or service specialising in children and young people. For example http://www.step-forward.org/
IS THERE DISABILITY ACCESS AT YOUR PRACTICE?
Unfortunately, the Hackney Wick practice isn't currently wheelchair accessible, as there are two sets of steep stairs to navigate.
However, sessions can take place online.
CAN MY ORGANISATION PAY FOR MY COACHING?
Yes. I work with both self-funded and organisation-sponsored coaching clients. If your employer is funding your coaching, we’ll agree how the coaching will work, including goals, confidentiality and what, if anything, is shared with your organisation.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE COACHING AND BUSINESSS & LEADERSHIP COACHING?
Life Coaching focuses on you and what you want to change or develop in your personal life, such as confidence, direction, relationships or navigating a transition.
Business & Leadership Coaching focuses more specifically on your professional life — how you lead, make decisions, manage relationships, navigate change or develop in your career or business
.
There can be overlap, and we can discuss which approach best fits what you want to work on.