Welcome

I work with adult clients in private practice in Liphook in Hampshire and Haslemere in Surrey. I’m experienced in a range of issues including anxiety, depression, bereavement and more. I welcome all clients regardless of disability, sexuality, gender, race or religion.

I'm a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK - and I work within the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

I’m a person-centred counsellor: I won’t judge you, give you advice, tell you what to do or how to live your life – you’re always in complete control of your sessions. My role is to be with you as you explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences – growing your self-awareness, and working towards making the changes you want to make in your life.

A good place to start would be for us to have a short initial consultation, either in person, online or on the telephone: there’s no charge and there are no obligations either. If you feel our relationship could work, we can start the journey together – and if not, there will be someone out there who’s right for you.

'We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would
attend to it, than any other person can be'

Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Questions?

How do I know who's the right counsellor for me?

Not every counsellor is right for every client so if it doesn't feel right, don't feel obliged to keep going. Make sure your counsellor is a member of a recognised professional body. As a Registered Member of the BACP I'm obliged to meet the highest standards when it comes to working ethically and professionally. I'm also required to be fully insured, to have regular support from an experienced and qualified supervisor and to undertake regular further professional training in order to broaden my skillset. If I feel our work together isn't benefiting you I'll talk to you about it, and if appropriate help you find another counsellor.

How long are sessions? Where and when do they happen?

Sessions are held in my quiet and private counselling rooms in Liphook and Haslemere. Each session is fifty minutes long and we'd typically meet once a week - but we can talk about your needs and preferences when we start working together.

Can we hold sessions online or by telephone?

Yes of course. In my experience meeting face-to-face is the best way to build a strong working relationship, but I recognise that there are some circumstances which might make that impractical and I'm happy to work remotely if needed.

You can pay by bank transfer or card, whichever is easiest for you. I ask that you pay for each session before the start of the session, and I'll send you email or text reminders to make it as easy as possible for you to keep track of your payments.

Yes they are: the contract we'll both sign at the start of the work sets out in detail the terms of the confidentiality we work under. There are some situations where I might be obliged to break confidentiality: these include if I feel there is a danger of you or someone else coming to harm, or in the event of a court order. In either case I'd endeavour to talk to you before any disclosures are made. I keep brief notes from sessions: they are held securely on my practice management system and in accordance with my obligations under the Data Protection Act of 2018.

I ask that you give me at least 48 hours notice if you need to miss or move a session: if this isn't possible then the session is chargeable. You won't be charged for sessions where you've given long-term notice of your absence - for holidays or work commitments for example. If you arrive late for a session we can use the remaining time for the work. I'll do my best to accommodate your needs but it's important that sessions are regular and consistent.

How do I pay for my sessions?

Are sessions confidential?

What if I need to miss a session, or I'm late? Can I move sessions?

'We carry within us the wonders we seek without us'

Thomas Browne

Useful Contacts and Links

This is the website of the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: it's designed for clients as well as counsellors and is full of useful information about counselling.

I work by the terms of the BACP's Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and you can find this here: again it's been written for the benefit of clients as much as counsellors, so is well worth a look.

This is the NHS website's page for those in need of urgent mental health support.

The website of the mental health charity Mind is a brilliant source of help, support and inspiration.

Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 85258 or go to the Shout website.

Samaritans are there for you day and night.

Kooth is a brilliant mental health resource for young people.

Cruse provides bespoke support for those suffering from bereavement and loss.

CALM - the Campaign Against Living Miserably - is the anti-suicide charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives.

Contact me

Call me on 07753 679050, email ed@edhardycounselling.co.uk or use the form below to make contact.