Have you been thinking about therapy for a while?

Making the decision to start counselling is not always an easy one. Several of my clients tell me that it took many months of hesitation before they finally contacted me.  Please spend a little time on this website to get a sense of me and my therapeutic approach.  Ask yourself if I might be a good fit for what you are seeking.  I have no doubt that approaching therapy is a positive and life-changing step, but of course you may have concerns and questions about it.  Below are answers to some common questions about my practice.

How does therapy help?

Are you feeling stuck or alone, confused or on edge?  Counselling therapy is all about enabling you to explore your feelings and your relationships more effectively.  By coming along, you can share your concerns with someone skilled in listening, who will be able to help you understand how past experiences and current behaviour may be linked.  For more information please visit the What is Counselling and Psychotherapy page.

Are there areas I don’t work in?

Please note I do not work in the highly specialised field of complex mental health conditions which include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis and personality disorders.  The clinical skills and expertise required is beyond my professional level of training.  While some therapists offer telephone and online services, please note that I only work in person (face-to-face) with my clients.

How long does therapy usually last?

This depends entirely on the individual client.  Occasionally, three or four sessions are sufficient for a client’s needs, but more usually I meet with individual clients on a weekly basis for several weeks or even months.  In general, couple counselling takes place on a fortnightly basis.  I offer clients the choice of counselling (generally six to twelve sessions) and longer term psychotherapy.     

About your therapist

Reaching out to a new therapist will always involve a leap of faith.  I am a warm, intuitive therapist, who believes that seeking therapy is a hopeful and courageous act.  I work in a versatile, client-centred way drawing on a wealth of clinical resources and skills to suit your needs.  If you are looking for more information on the issues I work with, alongside details of my work career, qualifications and formal training please visit the About Deborah Gregory page.

What is your availability?

I offer flexible weekday appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am until 5pm.  (Last appointment 4pm) During busy times I hold a short client waiting list.  Please note the EnergyWorks Clinic closes on public holidays and weekends.  Age range 18+

How do I book an initial appointment?

Following your initial enquiry (see contact page) a telephone consultation will be booked at a time when you have a private environment to talk freely.  This will give us a chance to hear each other’s voices and to get an initial sense of whether it would be beneficial to take a further step.  I will need to get a sense of whether I feel I am able to help you, and you may have questions that have not been covered here about what to expect. 

Will I have to sign a counselling contract?

As directed by the BACP, written contracts between therapists and clients are essential to the work. Therefore, following your telephone consultation and prior to your initial appointment, a counselling contract will be emailed to you. After signing the contract in the first session, you will be given a copy for your records.

What will happen at my initial appointment?

This session includes a full consultation to note down your personal details and to talk about what you would like from therapy.  After this we then begin to explore the issues that are bringing you to counselling.  The initial appointment will be slightly longer at 75 minutes, all subsequent sessions will last 60 minutes.  As there are no waiting facilities please do not arrive before your appointed time. 

How much will my initial (and on-going) appointments cost?

Individuals: £55.00  –  Couples: £70.00

Payment is made by bank transfer the day before our session (request details).  In general, appointments for ongoing counselling will be arranged on a flexible weekly basis (fortnightly for couples) and last 60 minutes. I offer a concessionary fee of £50 per session to trainee counsellors.

Cancellation Policy

You will be required to pay the full cost of the session if you do not show up for your scheduled appointment or cancel within 24 hours. 

Will what I say be confidential?

Everything discussed within a counselling session is completely confidential.  As a BACP member I adhere to their Code of Ethics and Practice and I would only break confidentiality in exceptional circumstances, for example if I believed that you were in danger of harming yourself or that you were in danger of harming another person.  I would discuss the matter with you prior to taking this course of action.

Parking and Travel

There is free, on-street parking and the nearest bus stop (Harley Shute Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea) is approximately 5-10 minutes walk away. 

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