FAQ's

Jellyfish - Supportive Counselling York Counselling & Psychotherapy in York Face‑to‑Face & Online

FAQ's

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Clear answers to the questions people ask most often

How do I know if I need counselling and do I need a therapist or a counsellor?

People often start thinking about counselling when emotions like sadness, anxiety or overwhelm become harder to manage on their own. If you’ve been searching for a counsellor near me, therapist near me or private therapy near me, it may be because something in your life has begun to feel heavier or more confusing than usual. Counselling can also help during life changes such as bereavement, relationship difficulties or times when you feel stuck or unsure.

You might notice shifts in your mood, motivation or behaviour. You might feel more tired, more on edge or simply not like yourself. These can all be signs that extra support could be helpful. Many people reach out before things reach a crisis point because they want a steady, confidential space to talk things through with someone trained to listen.

Counselling isn’t only for difficult moments. It can also support personal growth, stress management and understanding yourself more deeply. Whether you’re exploring grief, low mood, anxiety or a major life change, speaking with a therapist or counsellor can make a meaningful difference.

If you’d like to explore the different types of sessions available, you can look at them here.

To understand the difference between a psychotherapist and a counsellor, and whether a counsellor is different from a therapist, you can read our blog where we explain this in more detail.

 

What is Rewind Trauma Therapy?

Rewind Trauma Therapy is a gentle and effective approach used to reduce the impact of traumatic memories without needing to talk about the experience in detail. It is designed to help ease unwanted recall such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks or nightmares by allowing the brain to store the memory in a calmer and more settled way.

The method was developed over 30 years ago by Dr David Muss and is recognised for being non‑intrusive and safe. It is often chosen by people who want trauma support but feel unsure about describing what happened out loud. Many people notice significant improvements within a small number of sessions, and it can be used on its own or alongside counselling or private therapy near me.

If you’ve been searching for a therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York, Rewind Trauma Therapy can be one of the options we explore together, depending on what feels right for you.

If you’d like to explore the different types of sessions available, you can look at them here.

I need immediate help, or I am worried about someone, what do I do?

Supportive Counselling is not able to provide urgent or crisis support. If you or someone else is at immediate risk, it’s important to contact emergency services or reach out to organisations that offer crisis help. A list of useful resources is available, and you can find them here

What can I expect during the free consultation chat?

The free consultation chat is a gentle space to talk about what brings you to counselling, what you’d like support with and any questions you have about how therapy works. It’s a chance to get a feel for whether working together feels right for you, whether you’ve been searching for a therapist near me, counsellor near me, therapy York or even a depression therapist if low mood has been part of your experience.

 

What happens in a counselling session?

Your first session is relaxed and centred on helping you feel safe. We talk about what brings you here, what you’d like from therapy and any preferences, needs or adjustments that would help you feel comfortable. We also go over confidentiality and boundaries. You never have to share anything before you feel ready.

A counselling session gives you a calm and supportive space to talk about what you’re experiencing at a pace that feels right for you. We might explore thoughts, emotions or situations that feel important, to help you understand yourself more clearly and feel more grounded. There is no expectation to prepare anything or discuss anything before you want to.

Many people vary their session format depending on life, energy, accessibility and needs. Some choose a mix of face-to-face, online or telephone sessions. This can be helpful if you have been looking for a therapist near me, counsellor near me, counsellor York, depression therapist or anxiety therapist near me and want flexibility that fits around daily life

If you’d like a more detailed explanation of what a first session is like, you can read more here.

How does online counselling work and can you work with clients outside the UK?

Online counselling takes place through a secure, encrypted video link that starts at the time of your scheduled session. The same link is used for each appointment, and you can join from a phone, laptop, tablet or computer. Many people find it helpful to join a few minutes early to check their microphone and camera settings. Choosing a comfortable, private space can make the session feel calmer and more focused.

Online counselling can be a good option if you’ve been searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York and prefer the flexibility of meeting from home. It can also be helpful for people looking for private therapy near me who want a consistent and accessible way to receive support.

If you’d like to explore online support in more detail, you can read more about online sessions here.

How many sessions will I need and how often?

There’s no set number of sessions. Some people prefer short‑term work to focus on a specific situation, while others continue for longer to explore things more deeply. We review together as we go so the pace always feels manageable and right for you.

Many people come to counselling after searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me, counselling in York, depression therapist or anxiety therapist near me, and they often find that the right frequency becomes clearer once they’ve had a few sessions. Weekly or fortnightly appointments are the most common, but the rhythm can be shaped around your needs, energy and what feels supportive.

What do I do if I need to cancel?

If you need to cancel a session, it’s helpful to give as much notice as possible. Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the session time are not charged. When a cancellation is made with less than 24 hours’ notice, the full session fee still applies, as the time has been set aside for you.

If you need to make a change, have a question or want to update your counsellor, you can get in touch here. This applies whether you’ve booked after searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York.

If you need to make a change, have a question, or want to update your counsellor, you can get in touch here.

Will counselling with you be recorded in my medical history with my GP?

Counselling with Supportive Counselling Ltd is completely confidential, and information is not shared with a GP or added to medical records. The only exception would be if there were serious concerns about someone’s immediate safety or the safety of others. Even in those situations, any steps taken would be handled with care, transparency and as much involvement from you as possible.

This applies whether you’ve come to us after searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York. Your sessions remain private and separate from your medical records.

If you’d like to talk things through or ask any questions before starting, you can make contact here.

How do I pay and do I get a receipt?

An invoice is emailed two days before each session, and payment can be made by bank transfer. To keep everything running smoothly, payment is requested a minimum of 24 hours before the session time.

When a booking is made with Supportive Counselling Ltd a confirmation email is sent with the session details. After payment is received, a receipt is issued for your records. This applies whether you found us after searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me, therapy York or private therapy near me.

If you have questions about your payments, you can get in touch here.

 

Do I need a diagnosis to access neurodivergence affirming therapy?

No. You do not need a diagnosis to access neurodivergence-affirming therapy. Many people explore neurodivergence without a formal assessment, and you are welcome exactly as you are. Support is available whether you identify as neurodivergent, are questioning, or are simply looking for a space that understands different processing styles and sensory needs.

This applies whether you found us after searching for neurodivergent counselling, therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York. You do not need any paperwork, labels or confirmation from a GP to begin.

What sleep issues do you support and can sleep therapy help children?

We support a range of sleep difficulties, including:

  • Nightmares

  • Night terrors

  • Trauma‑linked sleep disturbance

  • Dream‑related anxiety

  • Sleep and nervous system interactions

  • Sensory‑related sleep difficulties

All sleep work is gentle, collaborative and adapted to your comfort level. It can be helpful whether you’ve been searching for insomnia treatment, sleep therapists, sleep consultant, sleep relaxation, sleep support, CBT for insomnia treatment, therapist for sleep disorders, sleep consultant UK, sleep services or sleep expert near me.

Sleep therapy can also be tailored for children and young people using developmentally sensitive, neuro‑affirming and non‑frightening methods. This includes approaches that support emotional regulation, sensory needs and the nervous system.

We also offer a 6-week programme called Deep Sleep Reset

Can sleep therapy help children?

Yes. Sleep support can be tailored for children and young people using developmentally sensitive, neuro‑affirming and non‑frightening methods. This can be especially helpful for families searching for sleep therapists, sleep support, sleep consultant UK or sleep expert near me and wanting an approach that feels safe, gentle and grounded.

Do I need to be artistic to try creative therapy and does this work for adults too?

Not at all. Creative therapy is about expression, not artistic skill. You choose if, how and when you use art materials, movement, symbolic play or sensory tools. Everything is optional and shaped around what feels comfortable for you.

Yes, creative therapy can be very helpful for adults. Many adults find creative exploration grounding, expressive and relieving, especially when words feel difficult or overwhelming. It can be a supportive option whether you found us after searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me, therapy York or creative therapy near me.

 

Is therapy suitable if I get easily overwhelmed and is it normal to cry in therapy?

Yes. Therapy is suitable even if you get easily overwhelmed. Sessions are structured to be calm, predictable and sensory aware, with pacing that follows your nervous system rather than pushing against it. Breaks, movement and silence are always welcome, and you never have to talk continuously or share anything before you feel ready.

Crying in therapy is completely normal. Many people come to us after searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York and worry about becoming emotional in sessions. Tears can be a natural response to feeling safe, understood or relieved, and you are supported with care and steadiness throughout.

How much does a counsellor cost per hour and what is the average cost of counselling?

Our fees can be found here.

To understand how much therapy costs per hour in the UK, most private therapy near me counselling sessions range from £50 to £92 for BACP‑registered counsellors. This is the typical rate for adult therapy. Children’s therapy often costs more due to the additional training, safeguarding requirements and specialist insurance involved.

What is the difference between a counsellor and a therapist, what is a red flag for a therapist?

We have created a blog specifically for this question here. It explains the difference between a counsellor and a therapist, how training routes vary, and what to look out for when choosing someone to work with. This can be helpful if you’ve been searching for therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York and want to understand the distinctions.

The blog also covers common red flags, such as unclear boundaries, pressure to continue sessions, dismissive behaviour or promises of guaranteed outcomes. These signs can help you feel more confident and informed when choosing safe, ethical support

What type of counselling is best for grief and what is the hardest year of grief?

We offer tailored grief therapy to ensure the best fit for you. This includes approaches that support shock, numbness, overwhelm, complicated grief, delayed grief and the emotional and nervous‑system impact of loss. You can read more about our grief bereavement counselling here.

There is no single “hardest year” of grief. For some people the early months feel the most intense. For others, the first year passes in a blur and the second year feels heavier as the reality of the loss settles in. Grief is deeply individual, and the timeline is different for everyone.

If you’ve been searching for bereavement counselling, grief bereavement counselling, therapist near me, counsellor near me or therapy York, our approach is calm, steady and shaped around what you need at each stage of your grief.

Adult therapy in a calm, reflective therapeutic environment Counselling & Psychotherapy in York Face‑to‑Face & Online
Calming abstract image representing trauma anxiety rewind therapy

Support that feels steady, safe and grounded

Neuro-affirming, trauma-informed approach

Highly qualified team sharing the same values and expertise

Registered members of professional bodies with strict qualification and ethical requirements

Fully qualified and insured

Enhanced DBS checked

ICO registered

Children’s counsellors hold specialist qualifications in working with children and adolescents

Client-led therapy, no fixed model or pressure

Specialist training in trauma & sleep difficulties

Lived experienced shaping our approach

Book a Free Consultation

Finding the right therapist matters; feeling genuinely understood matters even more.
Whether you’re looking for a therapist near me in York or support from anywhere in the UK, we offer steady, affirming help.
Take the first step and get in touch for a free, no-obligation initial conversation.

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