Cathy Telford Therapy

Frequently asked questions

Is my problem too big?

Whatever is causing difficulties for you in life, I have the capacity to hear it.

It can be beneficial to be able to talk to someone who is not connected to the situation or issue. Friends and family may offer support but they often have their own agenda or point of view and therefore you cannot speak freely. It can be really helpful to talk to someone independent who will not be personally impacted by hearing about it and can therefore focus on your experience.

All Professional Counsellors have Clinical Supervision to ensure we are not personally diminished by what we hear from our clients and therefore have the resilience and emotional capacity to support you with whatever you bring to therapy.

Is my problem too small?

People often compare problems or their ability to cope with them to others and think they “should” be able to cope as they believe their problems appear insignificant compared to those others may face. However, if something is causing a problem for you, it is worth taking the time to explore it and seek help to find ways to understand the issue and your response to it.

Is it too early or too late?

Whatever is causing you difficulty, whether it is something that happened a long time ago, or a recent life event, it is not too early or too late to talk about it and how it has impacted you.

Am I weak for not being able to cope?

It is not a weakness to ask for help, but a strength to recognise when you have reached a point of needing additional support.

Is it confidential?

Confidentiality and trust are crucial for you to feel safe to talk about whatever is troubling you without fear of the information being shared.

Everything we discuss remains confidential unless:

You show intent to seriously harm yourself or someone else
You tell me something that leads me to believe that you are being harmed, or that a child/vulnerable adult is being harmed or is at serious risk of being harmed
You disclose that you have committed, or intend to commit, a serious crime such as money laundering, drug trafficking or an act of terrorism
Notes are requested by court proceedings

Should any of these situations arise, I will discuss any concerns I have with you, whenever possible, and agree a subsequent plan of action to deal with the situation. If I am concerned for your safety/wellbeing, I may ask you to seek crisis support and will offer you support to do this. I may need to seek help on your behalf only if you are unable or unwilling to seek help and I do not feel you are safe.

What if I still have questions?

If you are still unsure whether counselling is right for you, call, text or email me or fill out the contact form and I will talk through any questions or concerns.

Contact Me