Starting Counselling: what to expect at Held With Care

Reaching out for counselling can bring a mixture of feelings. You might feel ready to talk, but nervous about where to begin. Perhaps you’ve been considering it for a while, wondering whether your difficulties are “enough” or what you would actually say once you’re sitting with a counsellor.

You don’t need to have everything worked out before making contact. Part of counselling is having space to begin making sense of things together.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You might be finding relationships difficult, feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, or struggling with anxiety or how you feel about yourself. There may be something from your past that still affects you, or a change in your life that feels difficult to navigate. Sometimes, you simply know that things don’t feel quite right, even if you can’t explain why.

At Held with Care, I offer person-centred counselling for adults, both in person in Stockport and online. My approach gives you space to explore what matters to you, at a pace that feels manageable.

Your introductory call

The first step can be a free 15-minute introductory call. We’ll talk briefly about what has led you to consider counselling, what you’re looking for and whether you would prefer online or in-person sessions. There’s also time to ask questions and get a sense of what it might be like to work with me. You don’t need to tell your whole story during this call, and there’s no pressure to book afterwards.

Your first counselling session

If you decide to go ahead, our first session begins with going through our counselling agreement. This helps us establish a shared understanding of how we’ll work together, including the practical arrangements, confidentiality and its limits. I’ll explain these clearly, and you’re welcome to ask about anything that feels uncertain.

I’ll then invite you to share what has brought you to counselling. There isn’t a correct place to start. You might want to talk about something that happened recently, a feeling that keeps coming up, or something you’ve been carrying for a long time.

If you feel nervous, become upset or find yourself struggling for words, we can take our time. You don’t need to apologise for crying or fill every silence. You can let me know when something feels difficult to talk about, and we can explore what feels manageable in that moment.

In person or online

In-person sessions offer a dedicated space away from your everyday surroundings in my Stockport counselling room. Online sessions allow you to meet with me from a private, comfortable place where you can speak freely. We can discuss which option feels right for you during the introductory call.

Sessions are £55. If you’d like to find out more, you can send an enquiry through my website to arrange your free introductory call.

A short message is enough to begin. You don’t need to have the right words.