Kate Heavey BA (Hons) BACP Accredited - Individual, Couple, Marriage and Two's Counselling in Alfold, Cranleigh, Surrey. Online and Telephone therapy across the UK.
I hope that any questions that you may have around cost, or anything else, are answered below. However, if you can not find an answer, please do click here to contact me.
Before we begin
A person known to me kindly gave permission for me to share this poem she wrote after her own counselling experience. I think it says more about what therapy can offer an individual than anything I could write myself.
The Counselling Chair
By Leanne Conner (Leanne Marie Poetry)
A worried mind, a head full of fears,
How should I be? Do I hold back the tears?
This person unknown, hearing my woes
What do I say? How much to disclose?
She sits just in front in a chair of her own,
Her voice welcomes me with a gentle tone
A caring concern for whatever I share,
I start to feel safe as I sit in my chair
My voice starts to quiver as my first words are spoken,
My thoughts seem to scream, PLEASE FIX ME I’M BROKEN!
She listens intently, doesn’t judge what’s discussed,
Finally someone I feel I can trust
We meet again and more frequently,
I start to feel different, more open and free
She seems to understand things from my point of view,
She knows what it’s like to be in my shoes
I notice a change going on inside,
The fear, hurt and anger seems to have died
Who is this girl I’ve come to have known,
A more confident, happy person is shown
I’m starting to realise that choices are mine,
If I take care of me, I know I’ll be fine
Follow my heart and share what I feel,
Everything now seems so much more real
So thanks to this person, this stranger I feared,
Just being there listening, my mind has been cleared
I’ve been introduced to someone you see,
In that counselling chair, I found the new me.
Will you find the new you?
Cost
Finding the right therapist matters more than finding any therapist. That is why I offer the first session complimentary for individuals, or just £50 for couples, so you can get a sense of whether working together feels right before committing.
Individual - first session complimentary, then £65 per 60 minute session
Couple - first session £50 (includes pre-assessment), then £85 per 60 minute session
Trainee counsellors — £50 per 60 minute session
Reduced daytime rates are available for individuals (£60) and couples (£80). Please mention this when you get in touch.
I am a recognised therapist for Bupa, Aviva, AXA, WPA and Vitality Health employee assistance programmes.
FAQ
How do you decide if I am the right counsellor for you?
Finding the right counsellor is a very important step. You need to feel safe, comfortable and able to make small talk because if you can talk about the small things, you will be able to bring the big ones. Being able to relate, feel connection and feel accepted for who you are is essential.
If you decide to proceed, we agree a working contract outlining the responsibilities of both of us. This will include a regular time on a regular day each week, enabling you to plan around your sessions.
How can I help you with what you bring to therapy?
As an experienced counsellor I can offer a basic road map for how we might work together. The outcome of therapy is very much dependent on our collaborative relationship, built on trust and honesty, and how able you are to be fully yourself in our sessions.
What happens in a counselling session?
That is really up to you. Each session lasts 60 minutes and that time is entirely yours. Our early sessions may begin by exploring what has brought you to counselling and what is uppermost in your mind. As we begin to talk, deeper thoughts and feelings may emerge which you might want to explore. The depth of our work is dependent on how far you are prepared to go. If there are parts of your experience you find yourself avoiding, that can always be tentatively explored too.
How many sessions will I need?
We can discuss this in your first session. You might want to work together for an agreed number of sessions, or leave it open-ended. I am happy to work short, medium or long-term depending on your individual needs. Reviewing periodically helps you assess your progress and whether you are getting what you need. It is always you who decides whether to continue or end. A planned ending session is always recommended.
Is coming to counselling a sign of weakness?
You may have grown up in a culture of maintaining a stiff upper lip, or feel that needing support is something to be ashamed of. My philosophy is the opposite. I believe humans are meant to be social beings and that, at certain points in life, we all need support. Coming to therapy is not weakness. It is one of the bravest things a person can do.
What am I like as a counsellor?
I am down-to-earth, warm, compassionate and sensitive. I welcome feedback and am always willing to look at myself. I attend regular supervision, invest significantly in my continued professional development and believe that self-awareness is the greatest tool I have. I learn from every client I work with.
Have I attended therapy myself?
Yes. One of the best ways to understand the therapeutic process is to experience it firsthand. I have engaged with counselling at various points in my life, including a mandatory 60 hours as part of my training, through which I gained invaluable insight into myself. I continue to attend counselling as and when I need it, because I value what it offers and I believe the best therapists do their own work.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. I adhere to the Data Protection Act and am registered with the ICO. In your first session we will discuss the legal limits to confidentiality in full.
Contact outside of sessions
Contact outside of sessions is accepted for practical purposes. Telephone or email conversations are not entered into without prior arrangement.
Social media policy
My primary concern is your privacy. I do not accept friend or follow requests from current or former clients on any social networking platform. This protects confidentiality and maintains the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. I have professional social media pages for my practice. You are responsible for what you choose to write in any social media forum. If you ever feel I have done something harmful or unethical, please feel free to raise this with me directly in session.
Cancellation policy
Ideally you would let me know the week before if you are unable to attend your next session. Cancellations made outside of 48 hours are not chargeable. Cancellations made within 48 hours will incur the full session fee.
Insurance
I hold Public Liability Insurance.
Complaints
As a BACP member I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework as the standard for my practice. If you have a complaint about my work, this would be directed to the BACP as the professional body responsible for issues of conduct.
You can find out more about the BACP Ethical Framework on the BACP website.
Contact
Contact from website
Please click here to contact me directly from this website.
Email Contact
harmoniouscounselling@gmail.com
Telephone Contact
07941 305511
My answering machine is confidential.
Please note:- If your number is not familiar to me, and you do not leave a message, I will not call you back as I am unaware of your personal circumstances.
Text / WhatsApp Contact
07941 305511 to make an appointment.
Contact
As the Portuguese proverb reminds "Change yourself and fortune will change with you."
I am here to support you with change.
