|
Dr R.A.Kitty Morgan-Jones, PhDRegistered MBACP counsellor/psychotherapist in private practice.
Working with individuals, couples and families in Whitstable, Kent. |
What will happen at our first meeting:
People often approach their first appointment with me with some apprehension. This is particularly true if they have never tried counselling or therapy before. Here I would like to demystify what usually happens at our first meeting, although it will understandably depend on whether you decide to come alone, or bring members of your family with you.
If we meet for an initial discussion to explore whether counselling is the right method of help for you, I’ll be interested to know a bit about you. For example, I will likely ask you questions about how the issues that you’re concerned about impact on you and I'll want to explore a bit about you as a person, couple and/or family. I’ll also be curious to know your story more generally and how you have happened to get to the place where you are at today.
If we meet for an initial discussion to explore whether counselling is the right method of help for you, I’ll be interested to know a bit about you. For example, I will likely ask you questions about how the issues that you’re concerned about impact on you and I'll want to explore a bit about you as a person, couple and/or family. I’ll also be curious to know your story more generally and how you have happened to get to the place where you are at today.
More specifically I will do the following:
- Create a place of safety and comfort for you so that you can put your thoughts and feelings into words in your own way and time.
- Be respectful and attentive so that you will feel that I have listened with care.
- Ask some questions that will hopefully stimulate you to express yourself more fully and perhaps to see some new perspectives.
- Develop our sharing into any areas that I think might be useful.
- Offer you some thoughts about how your concerns might be connected.
While I will be warm, I will not be social, directive or be anything other than objective and neutral. Also it is not part of my training to prescribe medication.
The initial assessment is for us to decide whether or not we might work together in helping you with your difficulties. If we do decide to work together, we will make a provisional plan for this. If we decide that something else would be more suitable, I’ll try hard to point you in the direction of other appropriate sources of help.
If you are still unsure, you are very welcome to call me 01227 271172 or email me at any time and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
