20. June 2026
Confidentiality, Client Experiences, and The Counselling Room
One of the questions people may wonder when listening to my podcast is whether the themes I discuss come from real clients and their experiences. It's an important question, and one I'd like to answer.
The simple answer is no.
Confidentiality is at the heart of counselling. It is one of the foundations of the therapeutic relationship and something I take very seriously. The counselling room should be a safe space where people can talk openly and honestly without worrying that their personal experiences will be shared with others.
So if my podcasts and blogs discuss topics such as grief, relationships, communication, self-esteem, neurodiversity, stress, or loss, where does that information come from?
The answer is not from individual clients.
Over time, counsellors work with many different people from different backgrounds, all with their own unique stories and experiences. Although every person is different, common themes often emerge. Many people may experience similar feelings of sadness, anxiety, uncertainty, frustration, loss, loneliness, or low self-worth, even though their personal circumstances are completely different.
My podcasts and blogs are reflections on those themes.
They are based on my experiences as a counsellor, my professional training, and my reflections on the common reasons people choose to access counselling. They are not based on any one person's story, disclosure, or counselling journey.
In many ways, I don't need to know who someone is to understand the emotional experiences they may be describing. Feelings are part of being human. Whether someone is talking about grief, relationships, self-esteem, identity, stress, communication, or life changes, there are often shared experiences and themes that many people can relate to.
When I create a podcast episode, I am not thinking about a particular client. I am reflecting on a topic, exploring a theme, considering the questions people often ask, and discussing some of the experiences that commonly arise within counselling. My aim is to encourage reflection, understanding, and conversation around subjects that many people may encounter at some point in their lives.
No client disclosures, confidential information, identifying details, or individual counselling sessions are ever used in my podcasts or blogs.
The counselling room remains exactly where it belongs - between the client and counsellor.
The Counselling Room podcast and accompanying blogs are simply an opportunity to reflect on some of the most common reasons people seek counselling, based on broad themes and professional observations rather than individual stories.
Protecting confidentiality remains a fundamental part of my practice and will always be at the heart of the work I do.