Counselling is at the House Partnership, 1 Snow Hill Court, EC1A 2EJ. (Entrance to Snow Hill Ct is off Snow Hill) For details go to www.thehousepartnership.co.uk/maps.html There is good access with City Thameslink Station across the road and St Pauls Tube close by too. In the surrounding streets, there is some on-street parking - off the meter at 7pm.
The sessions are on Wednesday and Thursday evenings with the first at 5pm and the last at 8.15pm. Each session costs £90 and is paid a week in advance.
How does it work?
We have an initial assessment session of fifty-five minutes to discuss your situation and whether I am the right person to help. (If not I will make suggestions of the best way forward). At the end of the session, if you are still interested in counselling, we will discuss a contract of work together.
How many sessions would I need?
This varies from person to person but I will give a rough idea at the initial assessment consultation, I generally see couples for twelve sessions and individuals for six. My aim is to provide as many sessions as your circumstances require. Throughout the counselling process, I’m happy to discuss your progress and give estimates of how many more sessions are needed. In general, I offer six weeks contracts (renewable) until we have resolved the situation to your satisfaction.
How do the contracts work?
I hold open your slot, so you will see me each week at the same time.
What if I am not able to attend?
If you cancel without giving two weeks notice, I am afraid that you will still have to pay for the session.
What about holidays and other prior commitments?
If you give notice of two weeks or more, you do not have to pay £90. However, there is a fee of £25 to keep the slot open for you while you are away.
What about your holidays or illnesses?
I will give at least two weeks notice of holidays and phone if I am unable to counsel for any unforeseen reason. Obviously, you will not be charged for the session nor will there be a fee to hold the slot open.
What if I decide to end counselling before the end of my contract or my problems are resolved part way through a contract?
I ask for one weeks notice if you wish to end your counselling, so that we can do a proper ending session. If your work is coming to end, we will discuss that in advance and you will not be liable for the rest of the sessions in the contract.
What about confidentiality?
I will not reveal anything about you or your particular circumstances unless I have reason to believe that there is a risk of serious harm (to yourself or another person – especially a child.) If this was the case, I would do my utmost to discuss the issues and my concerns with you first. I should add in twenty-five years working with couples and individuals, I have not needed to break confidentiality yet.
What about your books and magazine and newspaper articles?
As you know, I am a writer and therefore ask my clients to let me use the learning and knowledge gained from our time together to inform my work. I will not reveal any personal identifying information. I also combine case histories to further protect anonymity.
What if I arrive early?
My name is on a plaque outside, please buzz and I will let you into the building. There is a waiting area and I will come down and collect you. I operate fifty-five minute sessions and do my best to keep to this time table. If you are the first appointment of the evening, I will be in my room about five or ten minutes beforehand to answer the buzzer.
How do I make an appointment?
Please use the button on my website to register. I will endeavour to respond by email as soon as possible and arrange a consultation – sometimes these need to be during the day (normally on a Wednesday). After the initial consultation, if I do not have any available on-going slots, I will put you on my waiting list.
How do I pay?
The initial consultation assessment is paid in advance via paypal and each subsequent appointment is paid a week in advance – by cheque, cash or standing order.
What if I still have questions?
Put them on the box used for registration and I will answer via email.
Andrew G Marshall
March 2010