Nik Coleby
Counselling in Bournemouth & South West London

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a Counsellor/Psychotherapist/supervisor

Some suggested questions to ask a Counsellor on the phone or when you first meet.

How long have you been working as a Counsellor / Psychotherapist / Supervisor?

Where did you train?

What qualifications do you have?

What other Counselling / Psychotherapy / Supervision have you done? Where and when?

Are you accredited or a senior accredited Counsellor / Psychotherapist / Supervisor?

Who are you affiliated to?

How many people have you counselled/supervised in this field?

In order to be accredited the Counsellor / Psychotherapist / Supervisor has to go through an intense process of being checked by the accrediting organization.

They have to have done a minimum number of client hours to be accredited by the BACP (Preferably more).
A senior accredited practitioner will have been accredited for a minimum of 6 years with the BACP.

All accredited practitioners must reaccredit each year in order to maintain their accreditation.

Anyone can just do a course and have a website! Check the details.

Once you have spoken to a Counsellor/Psychotherapist for the first time, ask yourself “How do I feel about this person? Could I open up to them?”
Remember, this is your life that you put in their hands, this is your hard earned money, and you may not grow and change with the wrong person.

Do I offer reduced fees?
Yes depending on your circumstances, please feel free to discuss this.

My fees in Dorset are lower than those in London