Face to Face Counselling | Mary Lim Counselling & Psychotherapy

FACE-TO-FACE COUNSELLING

I offer face to face counselling and psychotherapy sessions from my office in Bromsgrove town centre. It's a safe, private, comfortable, warm and welcoming environment with easy parking nearby and good transport links. Bromsgrove is within easy reach of Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Droitwich, Hagley, Stourbridge and South-West Birmingham.

Face-to-face therapy: how does it work?

We will agree a mutually convenient time to meet at my offices in Bromsgrove. Prior to our session, I will send you some information and paperwork for you to read, and to make sure you are happy with my terms and conditions. This paperwork will also explain what data I keep about you, how long I keep it for, and how I store your data. I will also send you my assessment form for you to complete, which asks for some of your personal details, as well as some questions about why you would like to start counselling sessions. I'll also send you detailed directions to my office.

During face-to-face counselling sessions, we sit comfortably in my private office, and talk about your issues. I have creative materials available in my office should we feel like these would help you to express how you are feeling. There is always fresh water available for you, and toilet facilities if you need them.

Our first session is an assessment session. This is a chance for you to tell me what's brought you to counselling, and what you'd like to get out of it. It's also a chance for you to meet me, and to make sure that you feel that you can talk to me comfortably: the relationship between client and counsellor is the most important part of therapy, and the element which has the most impact on whether therapy is successful. There's no obligation to continue if you feel that either therapy itself is not for you, or if you feel you might like to try a different therapist.

The content of subsequent sessions depend very much on what you bring to therapy. I'll always ask how you are, and how you've been since our last session. We'll talk about what you want to, at your pace, and in your time. If I have any information I think might be helpful to you, I will share this with you. We'll work on what you bring together, and together, we will make sense of what has happened to you, and find a way forward.

You can pay on the day for face-to-face sessions via card or cash, whichever suits you best.

Are there advantages to face to face therapy?

Probably around 70% of my clients see me face-to-face, others see me online/on the telephone, or a mixture of the two depending on their schedules and availability. Research has shown that there is no difference in therapeutic outcome between face to face and online therapy, so really it is down to your personal preference. I am equally happy to work in either way, and you can be assured that I have undergone rigorous training in both modes of therapy.

There are, however, some aspects to face-to-face therapy that some people prefer:

We are in the same room, sitting across from each other. It's therefore easier to read body language and facial expressions, which helps with communication, and sometimes helps me to understand how you are feeling more easily.
Some people find it easier to talk about difficult things when face to face with their therapist.
It is easier for me to coregulate you when face to face. In other words, if you become distressed when talking about something very difficult, my calmness in the room helps you to feel calm too.
It can be easier to get a sense of me as a person, and therefore whether I'm the right therapist for you when we are in the same room together.
Therapy can be more "contained" with face to face sessions. If you travel to a different place for your therapy sessions, it can feel easier to leave what you've spoken about there and carry on with the rest of your week.
Face to face sessions bring the benefit of "transition time". By travelling to and from your therapy session, you have time before to prepare, and time afterwards to transition back into your normal life. This is not always the case with online sessions, where there can be a quick turnaround between therapy and home life or work meetings.
You can be certain that my therapy room is safe, private, and free from the distractions that you may experience at home.

Can I mix and match face-to-face and online therapy?

Yes of course - I'm happy to work in this way, and some clients find it very helpful do do this. This means that you can still schedule therapy sessions around your work and other commitments.

What next?

If you would like to explore working with me, then we can have a conversation via email, or on the telephone. Contact me, and we'll get the process started.