1. June 2026
What Happens After You Decide to Start Counselling?
Making the decision to start counselling can feel like a big step. For some people, it may have taken weeks, months, or even years to reach that point.
Once you've decided you would like support, you may be wondering what happens next and what you can expect from the counselling process.
One of the first things I will send you is a counselling agreement.
At first glance, it may seem like a lot of information, but there is a good reason for it. The counselling agreement helps ensure honesty, transparency, and a shared understanding of how we will work together. It explains what you can expect from me as your counsellor, what my responsibilities are, and how I will support you throughout our therapeutic relationship.
Confidentiality
One of the questions I am asked most often is whether what is discussed in counselling remains private.
In most circumstances, what you share with me is confidential. Creating a space where you feel safe enough to explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and beliefs is an important part of counselling.
There are, however, a few exceptions. These are usually where there are concerns about serious harm to yourself or someone else, safeguarding concerns, or where I am legally required to share information.
Wherever possible, I would always aim to discuss this with you first.
Supervision
Many people are surprised to learn that counsellors attend regular supervision.
Supervision is an important part of ethical practice and helps ensure that I am working safely, professionally, and in your best interests. It provides me with a space to reflect on my work and the support I offer.
Anything discussed within supervision is fully anonymised, meaning your identity remains confidential.
Boundaries and Professional Relationships
The counselling relationship is a professional one and is different from relationships we may have with friends or family.
Clear boundaries help create safety, consistency, trust, and reliability. They allow counselling to remain focused on you and your needs.
For this reason, contact outside of sessions is usually limited to arranging appointments or discussing practical matters.
Notes and Record Keeping
As part of my professional responsibilities, I may keep brief session notes.
These notes are stored securely and handled in line with UK GDPR requirements. You also have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access information I hold about you.
Cancellations, Holidays and Breaks
Life can sometimes be unpredictable and plans can change.
The counselling agreement explains my cancellation policy, what happens if either of us needs to rearrange a session, and how holidays or planned breaks are managed. Having this information from the beginning helps avoid uncertainty later on.
Counselling Is Your Choice
Perhaps one of the most important things to remember is that counselling is your choice.
You are free to ask questions, raise concerns, take a break, or end counselling whenever you feel it is right for you. Counselling should never feel like something that is being done to you. Instead, it is a process we work through together at a pace that feels right for you.
Creating a Safe Foundation
The counselling agreement is much more than paperwork. It helps create a safe, ethical, confidential, and professional foundation for our work together.
Starting counselling can feel daunting, especially if it is your first experience of reaching out for support. My hope is that by explaining things clearly from the beginning, you can feel reassured, informed, and confident about taking those first steps.
If you have any questions about counselling or would simply like to know more before making a decision, you are always welcome to get in touch.
Take care,
Lynda Peters MBACP
Spread Your Wings Therapy