FAQ

counselling

Q: What is Counselling?
Counselling takes place when a counsellor sees a client in a private and confidential setting to explore a difficulty the client is having, distress they may be experiencing or perhaps their dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction and purpose. The counsellor can begin to perceive the difficulties from the client's point of view and can help them to see things more clearly, possibly from a different perspective. Counselling is a way of enabling choice or change or of reducing confusion.

It does not involve giving advice or directing a client to take a particular course of action.
Q: How long does a counselling session last?
All sessions last approximately one hour.
Q: How many sessions must I attend and how often are they?
The frequency and number of sessions is entirely up to the client to decide. Most clients see me on a fortnightly basis, although some clients find it beneficial to see me on a weekly basis initially. The number of sessions varies considerably on what you are hoping to achieve and the nature of what you wish to discuss. As a rough guide you should be prepared to attend at least 4 sessions initially. After the fourth session we then discuss what would be the best way forward for you at that point.
Q: Who is counselling for?
Counselling is for anyone!! If you have things that are happening in your life that you want to talk about in a confidential, non-judgmental and safe environment then counselling can help.
Q: Who are you as a counsellor accountable to?
I work within the Code of Ethics set out by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors and am therefore accountable to the Association. The full code is available on request.
Q: How does counselling work?
Counselling ‘works’ in a number of different ways and everyone’s experience is very different. Essentially, the more you are prepared to put into the process the more you will get out of it.
Q: Will you give me the answers and solutions to all my problems?
I’m afraid I don’t have the answers to all of life’s issues. What I can do is help you to find the answers within yourself. I believe no-one knows you better than you know yourself, therefore YOU are the person who has the right answers for YOU.
Q: Can I bring someone else along with me to the sessions?
It is usual practice for counselling sessions to be on a one to one basis. However, I am happy to discuss this with you further should you wish.
Q: Can I stop counselling whenever I want to?
Yes, you are free to cease sessions whenever you choose. However, many clients are tempted to finish counselling when things start to get a little bit harder and this is usually just as progress is starting to be made. I strongly advise all clients to discuss concluding the counselling sessions with me prior to a final decision being made.
Q: If I was to cease counselling with you can I come back and see you for more sessions in the future?
Yes, there is usually no problem with this.
Q: I have had counselling before and it didn’t work at all, will this be any different?
There are many reasons why clients feel that counselling ‘hasn’t worked’ in the past. The success or failure of the process is jointly owned by the Counsellor and the client. The Counsellor must be able to relate and understand what is happening for the client and ideally there should be a level of ‘connection’ between both parties. The client must be prepared to explore there feelings/emotions and actively participate in the sessions. If a client does not feel comfortable in doing this then they may benefit from seeing a different counsellor who is more ‘in tune’ with their journey.
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career coaching

Q: How long does a session last?
Sessions usually last one hour.
Q: How many sessions do I need to attend?
This depends on what sections you wish to participate in. This will be discussed with you prior to or at the first session.
Q: Will you tell me what job I should do?
No one knows you better than you know yourself and therefore no one can tell you what is the right career choice for you – only you know that. What I can do is assist you in this process to find out what it is that you enjoy doing and what type of role will fulfill you. Sorry – you are going to have to do some of this work yourself!!
Q: Will you find me a job?
No. I am not acting as a Recruitment Consultant or Agent. (Although I do have over 10 years experience in this industry). I will however guide you as to the best ways to search for a job.
Q: I am no good at interviews. I never know how to answer questions and always feel un-prepared. Can you help me with this?
Absolutely. Many people feel like this and consequently do not give their best performance at interview. This is not really surprising as few people have taken the time to learn even basic interviewing skills. I can give you interview guidance and training, as well as organise a ‘mock interview’ for you with post interview de-brief and feedback.
Q: I haven’t had to compile a CV before – why do I need to do one now?
In today’s employment market your CV is your initial sales pitch to a prospective client. Think of it as your ‘product brochure’ and the product is you. It is important that this is presented in the best possible way. My Complete CV writing service is not just me re-writing what you have already put down on paper in a different format (unless you wish to use the ‘basic’ service). I will sit and talk to you about each of your roles in detail to make sure that all of the information is correct.
Q: I have had an issue with one of my previous employers and I don’t know how to explain it. Can I discuss this with you?
Yes. All discussions are completely confidential and no information about our discussion will be revealed to any other individual or third party without your express permission.
Q: What is the “Monthly Career Coach"?
This service provides you with ongoing support and guidance as you go through the job search and interview process. I will make myself available to you to discuss what is happening with your job search/interviews etc. There is a set fee payable at the start of the month and this provides a set number of sessions with me over that month.
Q: What happens afterwards and I don’t want to use the monthly career coach can I still come and see you?
I am still available to meet with you to discuss whatever it is you wish to talk about – just call me to make an appointment. I am also always keen to hear about how my clients are progressing in their search for a new role and welcome updates on your progress.
Q: So how do I arrange to come and see you?
Just give me a call or drop me an e-mail and we can discuss a convenient time.
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life coaching

Q: What Is a Life Coach?
A Life Coach is someone who works with you to establish what it is that you want out of LIFE and how you are going to achieve this. A coach is not there to give you advice or tell you what to do, you’ve got to do a lot of this work yourself. However, your coach is there with you to provide you with some tools to help you work this out for yourself. The coach is also there to provide motivation, encouragement and support throughout this process.
Q: Who could benefit form seeing a Life Coach?
Anyone who is wanting to make positive changes in their lives. When you are unsure of what you want to do, where you want to go or how you are going to get there, a Life Coach can help. Life Coaching can also help people with more specific issues, such as lack of focus, no goals, low self esteem, lack of confidence, career transition.
Q: What’s the difference between Life Coaching and Counselling?
Life Coaching is about assisting you to establish where it is that you want to go in your Life and providing you with help, guidance, support and encouragement to get you to achieve what you are wanting to achieve. Life Coaching is very much about moving you forward.

Counselling is where a client is able to explore their past in a safe and confidential environment. For many clients this involves exploring parts of their lives that have been distressing, upsetting or painful.

In fact many clients have found it beneficial to see me for some counselling sessions initially before they embark on a Life Coaching programme.
Q: What makes you different to other coaches?
I am a trained Life Coach and Counsellor, which means that I am equipped with a wide range of skills to assist you with what you want to achieve. I am therefore able to meet you at whatever stage you are at with your journey through life.

I strongly believe that where you are now is a direct result of where you have been. Although it is not always necessary to dwell on the past, I believe that everyone is a product of their past and that there are many things in the past that can be preventing you from moving forward. Without ‘shining a light’ and having a look at the past you may never move forward as far as you would like and reach your full potential.

It is this approach of looking back in as much detail as is required that makes my approach fundamentally different to other Life Coaches, many of whom are not trained or have the experience to explore your past with you.
Q: Who are you as a Life Coach accountable to?
I am a member of the International Coaching Federation and am bound by their ethical standards and code of conduct – details available on request.
Q: Will Life Coaching answer all my problems?
Life Coaching will assist you in finding out the answers to your problems for yourself. I’m afraid I don’t have the answers – YOU DO. No one knows you better than you know yourself.
Q: How many sessions will I have to attend?
As many sessions as are required. I work on a session by session basis, so my approach is tailored to you and what you want from each session. (as opposed to signing up for a structured 10 session programme – with you not necessarily benefiting from every stage). Once the initial sessions have been completed, I then recommend monthly or bi-monthly follow up sessions to keep you on track. Obviously you can always make an appointment to see me should you require any additional support in between arranged appointments.
Q: How Frequent are the sessions?
Usually fortnightly to start with, and then monthly check-ins and motivational support after that.
Q: What do I need to do for each session?
The most important thing is that you are focused for each session. You must have the desire to be there in the room and want to make the changes in your life. You only get out of the sessions what you put into them.
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