Counselling is an investment in yourself. It is important that you find the right person to work together with. I hope the information here will guide you in making your choice of counsellor, and I am happy for you to contact me by telephone or email if you have any questions, or would like to find out more.
I am an integrative counsellor and supervisor working within the Forth Valley area. I have been a qualified therapist since 2003 and qualified supervisor since 2019. I have lived in the Hillfoots area for over 20 years.
Integrative counselling is a combined approach - it brings together different elements of specific therapies - where each person's needs are considered as a whole. My techniques as a counsellor are tailored to your individual needs and your personal circumstances.
Integrative counselling can be very useful for many issues, such as bereavement, trauma, abuse, mental health, developing your own sense of self, or relationship difficulties.
Counselling provides a confidential relationship where you can feel safe to explore the issues you bring, to find ways forward, and to improve your wellbeing.
Being heard fully, and in a relationship which strives to be non-judgemental, can help you to understand yourself and a way of relating which can improve on all aspects of your life.
I work with both short-term and longer-term issues, and we agree together how and what you would like to focus and work on. I also have extensive EAP experience both as a counsellor and supervisor.
I am an accredited Registered Member (no. 97948) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP),
The BACP register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
Phone 01455 883300
Email ask@bacp.co.uk
Website www.bacp.co.uk
I am a Practitioner Member (no. 3459) of COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland).
The COSCA register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
Phone 01786 475 140
Email info@cosca.org.uk
Website www.cosca.org.uk
Why choose counselling? Many people consider and enter into counselling for a whole host of reasons.
You may be presented with struggles, challenges, or life events, and feel that your own support - which could be your friends, your family, or your colleagues - is not unbiased enough. Many people value the independence and confidentiality that counselling provides, with a person who is trained to listen, and who has skills to help you explore the situation and support you whilst you find ways though it.
A counsellor can help you work towards gaining skills and processing difficult feelings to improve your wellbeing.
I do not give advice. What I do is support you to find and acknowledge your own strengths, and support you by providing a safe, therapeutic relationship to explore any difficulties and find new ways forward.
Sessions
Sessions are face-to-face or can be by telephone and usually weekly or fortnightly, normally lasting 50 minutes, We can discuss these things in our initial assessment, and from there discuss your progress on a regular basis.
Qualifications and Experience
I am happy to answer any questions you may have about my qualifications and experience as a councellor and supervisor. I am an accredited registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), who are a governing body of the profession, and I adhere to their rigorous code of standards and ethics, I am also a Practitioner Member of the COSCA Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, and you can find details of their Complaints Procedure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
As your counsellor, it is very important to me that we are clear about what you can expect from me, and what I can offer to you. I hope these answers will help you, but please remember you can call, text, or email me to ask anything else you are unsure about.
1. How many sessions will I need?
This is very difficult to predict. It is dependent on the issues you bring and other factors. We will complete an assessment together in our first session, and from there may agree to have up to three sessions, and then review our work together regularly thereafter to ensure we are both working towards the aims you have established.
2. How often are the sessions?
Sessions can be arranged to suit you and your budget. I find that weekly appointments work best, especially at the beginning, and then this can be reviewed dependent on how we feel the work is going.
As the therapy progresses often people have fortnightly or three-weekly sessions, and then work towards ending once the aims have been achieved. Some people like “check-in sessions” once the work is complete, or they are happy to end, knowing if need be they can return.
3. How long are the sessions?
The sessions are 50 minutes. Arriving for your session on time will make sure that we can take all of the time we need together, and would also ask that for your comfort you do not arrive early, as waiting space can be limited.
4. How do I make an appointment?
You can phone or text me on 07563 732293, or email me at marie@mrcounselling.com, whichever is most convenient.
5. What if I have to cancel an appointment?
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are going to be unable to attend your appointment at the agreed date and time. If you are unable to give at least 24 hours notice then you may be charged at the full rate.
6. How do I know if you are qualified and experienced?.
I believe it is vital to have confidence in your therapist and their qualifications and skills. I am a Practitioner Member of the COSCA Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, and an Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am happy to discuss any questions you have about this.
7. DO YOU HAVE A DATA PROTECTION POLICY?
Yes. You can find a summary here, and in our initial assessment session I can fully explain how I store any records I keep for you.
Fees
Councelling: The standard rate for fully-tailored face-to-face counselling sessions with me is £45 per hour. I can discuss a sliding scale of rates for students or for people on low incomes who wish to use my services.
Supervision: I also provide supervision both for counsellors and students and my fee for this is £50 per hour. I do have a sliding scale for students.
Cancellation and availability
I require 24 hours notice at a minimum if you plan to cancel a session, otherwise you may be charged for the session at the agreed rate. I care about your continuity of support and therefore any of periods of unavailability for me will be discussed in advance to make sure you have appropriate notice.