The Oxfordshire
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Assessment and Referral Service ‘What lies behind and before us are tiny
matters, compared to what lies within us’
Your questions answered
How can counselling and psychotherapy help me?
Many people have experienced the positive impact that counselling and psychotherapy can have on their lives, their well-being, and on their capacity to be themselves and to be more fully who they are. Many others are unsure about it. It is very common for people to have a number of questions. A service like ours can help you to explore if counselling or psychotherapy is the right direction for you.
Is counselling/therapy different from talking to a friend, doctor, social worker or colleague?
Yes! It is important to have friends to talk to, and other professionals can be a source of support. Counsellors and psychotherapists have been trained to help you develop new or different perspectives on the ways in which you relate to yourself, others and life in general, in order that you might engage with life and the many challenges it brings us in a way that is preferable to you.
There are many different therapeutic approaches? Which one would suit me?
Mny studies have shown that the relationship you have with your counsellor or psychotherapist is actually more importnant than the type of approach used. This s why matching you up wth someone can be a good idea. It is also true however that some clients can work better with some therapeutic approaches than others.
How often do I have to go to counselling?
This is something you will need to establish with your therapist/counsellor. The most usual arrangement however, is for you to have one appointment at the same time each week. Some people need and /or want to go more frequently, and this also sometimes a matter of affordability. Meeting less frequently is not usual, as both consistency and commitment to your therapy is usually a necessary prerequisite of a successful outcome.
How long can I expect counselling/psychotherapy to last?
The proverbial – ‘how long is a piece of string’ – is somewhat appropriate. It largely depends upon what you are trying to achieve from it. The shortest forms of counselling would normally be for no less than 6 sessions, and would be quite focused on a specific issue. Other forms of therapy may be initially structured over 20 sessions, right through to long-term open-ended therapy.
What is required of me?
Different therapists work in different ways. Some clients like to have structured exercises or homework to do between sessions. However in general, all you need to do is go to the appointment, and you, and the counsellor or therapist can talk about the reasons or problems that you are bringing with you at a pace that is right for you.
How will I know when to finish?
Some forms of therapy/counselling are for set periods, and so the end date is established early on. It is sometimes possible however to continue beyond this point, and this can be discussed with your therapist/counsellor nearer the time. With open-ended therapy, there always comes a point, and sometimes several points when ending arises as a topic for you to discuss in your sessions. It is an important thing to discuss, so as to establish whether you feel you have got to where you wanted to, or don’t want to go on, or wish to take a break. Your counsellor/therapist will help you explore this.
Don’t only mentally ill people need counselling?
The notion of being mentally ill has many negative connotations in our society. In truth it is a subjective label, which probably isn’t very helpful. The mental health of each of us is as diverse as our physical state of health. Would you say you were unhealthy simply because you couldn’t run a marathon? Some people would, which is why it is subjective. In truth, counselling is a valid activity for anyone who wishes to explore an issue or be supported with something they find difficult.
How much does it cost?
OCPARS therapists and counsellors generally charge between £35 and £62 per session, depending on each practitioner.
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