Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Progress in counselling is deeply personal and varies for each client. While some may feel a shift early on, others, especially those working through grief or long-term challenges, may take more time....

Progress in counselling is deeply personal and varies for each client. While some may feel a shift early on, others, especially those working through grief or long-term challenges, may take more time. As a client-led practitioner, I believe in open, collaborative communication. I regularly check in with clients, encouraging honest conversations about how they feel the sessions are progressing. I also use feedback forms to help track their journey, ensuring sessions remain aligned with their evolving needs.

Progress can begin before the first session, the decision to reach out often means something has already shifted. For me, one of the earliest signs of progress is when a client feels safe enough to...

Progress can begin before the first session, the decision to reach out often means something has already shifted. For me, one of the earliest signs of progress is when a client feels safe enough to speak openly, begins to make sense of what is happening and sees something from a different perspective. That may happen in the first conversation; deeper change naturally takes time. The therapeutic relationship is central. When there is trust, honesty and a genuine connection between counsellor and client, we can explore what matters, recognise patterns and begin turning insight into practical change. Progress will look different for everyone, and it should always move at a pace that respects the individual.

After the second session and into the third session. Generally, the client will start to discover something in themselves that helps them to push through.

After the second session and into the third session. Generally, the client will start to discover something in themselves that helps them to push through.

Again it is really all individual depending on the situation. I would want to regularly review with the client to gain feedback and to complete some assessment scores and if the particular approach is...

Again it is really all individual depending on the situation. I would want to regularly review with the client to gain feedback and to complete some assessment scores and if the particular approach is not working we can explore different avenues of therapeutic approaches.

We will set goals together and regularly check in on these and the progress that has been made. The more effort we put in, the better the results.

We will set goals together and regularly check in on these and the progress that has been made. The more effort we put in, the better the results.

Progress often begins when clients feel safe enough to slow down, speak freely, and notice something shift—whether that’s a new insight, a sense of relief, or a moment of connection. While healing...

Progress often begins when clients feel safe enough to slow down, speak freely, and notice something shift—whether that’s a new insight, a sense of relief, or a moment of connection. While healing timelines vary, many people start to feel more clarity, self-trust, or emotional regulation within the first few sessions, especially when the pace and approach feel right for them.

Progress looks different for everyone, but many clients begin to notice small shifts within the first few sessions. This may include feeling heard and understood, gaining clarity around their...

Progress looks different for everyone, but many clients begin to notice small shifts within the first few sessions. This may include feeling heard and understood, gaining clarity around their challenges, or developing practical strategies to better manage thoughts, emotions, or relationships. More sustained change often develops over time as insight deepens, new skills are practised, and patterns are gradually reshaped. I work collaboratively with clients to regularly review progress and ensure therapy remains aligned with their goals and pace.

Perhaps after the working phase, and they start the mastery stage, where they start implementing strategies into their everyday life and relationships.

Perhaps after the working phase, and they start the mastery stage, where they start implementing strategies into their everyday life and relationships.

Simply by taking the first step and approaching a counsellor, a client is making amazing progress by being proactive! Sometimes though, due to high self standards (that they often only apply to...

Simply by taking the first step and approaching a counsellor, a client is making amazing progress by being proactive! Sometimes though, due to high self standards (that they often only apply to themselves and not others) it can be hard for clients to recognise their own progress. I'm there to help them appreciate their wins and achievements. In addition, some qualitative tools can be used to help clients objectively monitor their own progress.

This depends. In individual psychotherapy the work is very personal. It can take time before we unlock deep conflicts. Individual psychotherapy rewards time and persistence. Many people who choose...

This depends. In individual psychotherapy the work is very personal. It can take time before we unlock deep conflicts. Individual psychotherapy rewards time and persistence. Many people who choose this have suffered from something for years - sometimes most of their lives. It doesn't make sense to rush or to give up quickly - working deliberately is what gets profound results. However, it should feel creative from the start, never stagnant, and very often people experience change sooner than they might think. In relationship counselling and couples therapy we are working more practically. We are aiming less for deep change in the individual, and more for change in the relationship. This can be driven by advice, guidance, or experimentation as much as deeper realisations. I will often be able to give an opinion within 1 to 3 sessions and, if it seems right, we can start working on change from there.

I believe the client needs hope and the beginning of a plan for future sessions at the beginning and that they often tell me this is progress.

I believe the client needs hope and the beginning of a plan for future sessions at the beginning and that they often tell me this is progress.

Progress looks different for each person, but many clients begin to notice small shifts within the first few sessions, such as feeling more understood, less alone, or clearer about what they’re...

Progress looks different for each person, but many clients begin to notice small shifts within the first few sessions, such as feeling more understood, less alone, or clearer about what they’re dealing with. For others, progress may emerge more gradually as trust builds and patterns become clearer. I see progress not only as symptom relief, but as increased insight, emotional steadiness and a growing sense of choice and self-compassion over time.

It is difficult to determine how many sessions any client may require. Counselling therapy is an individual process for each person. Some people only need a few sessions, while others may feel the...

It is difficult to determine how many sessions any client may require. Counselling therapy is an individual process for each person. Some people only need a few sessions, while others may feel the benefit of more sessions to deal with more complex or ongoing life issues. I am committed to regularly ‘checking in’ with you during therapy to ensure your needs from counselling are being met, & how you are feeling about continuing therapy. The appropriate time for ending therapy is negotiated to be when you are feeling ready, & no longer require my support. I firmly trust your decision, as I believe you are the expert in knowing you best. Besides...you can always return for ‘top up’ sessions in the future as needed, should your life circumstances change, & you feel a session or two may be beneficial for you at that time.

I hope that my clients will start to feel progress from the very first meeting and continue their progress throughout the duration of the therapy. I aim to help my client's deal quickly and...

I hope that my clients will start to feel progress from the very first meeting and continue their progress throughout the duration of the therapy. I aim to help my client's deal quickly and efficiently with any initial crisis, then gain personal insight and meaning into the nature of their struggles.

Whilst the initial session is mainly about getting to know you, and what it's like to be you, I always try to give the client some techniques and poses to help with their anxiety or depression, so...

Whilst the initial session is mainly about getting to know you, and what it's like to be you, I always try to give the client some techniques and poses to help with their anxiety or depression, so that they can help manage their symptoms even when they're not with me. I always think of how if you see a therapist 1 hour a fortnight that is just 0.5% of the time you are awake (assuming you're awake for about 16 hours a day). So I like to focus on giving people self-care tips and techniques on top of the important work we do in the session. I find that by session 6 people's symptoms are dramatically reduced, but most people choose to stay on longer for personal development because they get so much out of it.

Many clients begin to feel some sense of movement, clarity, relief, or psychological organisation early in the process, sometimes even within the first session. While deeper therapeutic change...

Many clients begin to feel some sense of movement, clarity, relief, or psychological organisation early in the process, sometimes even within the first session. While deeper therapeutic change naturally takes time, I believe sessions should feel meaningful and containing rather than endlessly exploratory without direction. Depending on the person and what they are navigating, therapy may involve practical stabilisation, emotional processing, reflective insight, behavioural change, or working through longer-standing relational and psychological patterns over time.

Progress in therapy can look different for every person. Some people experience an immediate sense of relief simply from having a space where their experiences can be spoken about and taken seriously....

Progress in therapy can look different for every person. Some people experience an immediate sense of relief simply from having a space where their experiences can be spoken about and taken seriously. At the same time, deeper therapeutic work often moves in a less linear way. Feelings, insights, and difficulties may move up and down over time as different aspects of a person’s life and relationships come into focus. It is also common for therapy to begin to resemble other relationships in certain ways, with familiar feelings, expectations, or tensions emerging. Rather than avoiding this, therapy offers a space to notice and make sense of these patterns as they happen. Over time, this process can support a deeper understanding of oneself and new ways of relating to others.

I hope the client will feel some kind of movement happening from the first session. It's important for me not to presume what progress' is but to continually check in with my client about their...

I hope the client will feel some kind of movement happening from the first session. It's important for me not to presume what progress' is but to continually check in with my client about their experience and what they are hoping to get out of each session.

I'm uneasy with the language of 'progress' as so many of my clients believe they aren't good enough. They believe they need to prove themselves and that their value is only based on their...

I'm uneasy with the language of 'progress' as so many of my clients believe they aren't good enough. They believe they need to prove themselves and that their value is only based on their contribution. Progress can feel like yet another pressure. The message can be that you aren't good enough - you need to do MORE - You need to PROGRESS! I say RUBBISH to all that. You are exactly where you should be. Right here, is where you need to focus on - not some place in the future that you can progress too. To provide, a more satisfying response, I might say that when we come into 'contact' with the source of a discomfort and meet it and experience it - something changes.

Some of my people suggest this process can happen immediately. For others, the journey takes a while to come together. Many people feel the therapeutic alliance connection is just right and feel...

Some of my people suggest this process can happen immediately. For others, the journey takes a while to come together. Many people feel the therapeutic alliance connection is just right and feel better quickly.

Every person’s journey is unique, but many clients begin to feel a sense of progress when they start experiencing greater emotional clarity, feeling more understood and supported, or noticing even...

Every person’s journey is unique, but many clients begin to feel a sense of progress when they start experiencing greater emotional clarity, feeling more understood and supported, or noticing even small changes in how they respond to stress or relationships. Progress often becomes noticeable within the first few sessions as goals become clearer and practical strategies begin to take effect. Sometimes the earliest signs are subtle—feeling more hopeful, more regulated, or more connected. Larger shifts often develop gradually as insight strengthens and new patterns become more familiar. Therapy is not linear, but with consistency, safety, and collaboration, meaningful change emerges over time.

Progress in therapy varies for everyone. Some notice relief or clarity after just one session, while others experience gradual shifts over time. Long-standing issues may require regular sessions over...

Progress in therapy varies for everyone. Some notice relief or clarity after just one session, while others experience gradual shifts over time. Long-standing issues may require regular sessions over months, while recent challenges can often be addressed in 6–10 appointments. Therapy is about building self-awareness, understanding, and the freedom to make different choices.

Clients may feel progress is being made from the first session. This obviously increases over time as trust in the therapeutic relationship develops.

Clients may feel progress is being made from the first session. This obviously increases over time as trust in the therapeutic relationship develops.

Often from the first session, significant change can occur.

Often from the first session, significant change can occur.

Change starts early on if we are on the right track : as soon as you notice a difference, something has changed. This can often occur in the first session.

Change starts early on if we are on the right track : as soon as you notice a difference, something has changed. This can often occur in the first session.

Depending on what you are seeking support for meaningful and lasting change can take time. I always support my clients to build exercises and experiments into their daily lives, to enhance and...

Depending on what you are seeking support for meaningful and lasting change can take time. I always support my clients to build exercises and experiments into their daily lives, to enhance and accelerate the work we are doing together in therapy and to reduce the amount of time needed to meet their goals. Most of my clients notice shifts and changes in the first session, often that is related to the feeling of a new possibility or hope, previously missing. Many of my clients inform me in the first session that that have never told anyone else some of the things they're telling me.

This depends on whether you are seeking to find relief from emotional distress, gain insight into why you act the way you do, or process traumatic memories from the past. A good general rule of...

This depends on whether you are seeking to find relief from emotional distress, gain insight into why you act the way you do, or process traumatic memories from the past. A good general rule of thumb is that by the end of the third session you will likely feel engaged in the therapy and be confident that the therapy is moving in the right direction. I will typically do a review with you at this time to make sure this is happening.

Hopefully from the first session onwards.

Hopefully from the first session onwards.

Usually clients notice positive differences from the very first session. Sharing difficulties and knowing a plan is being developed to support them to achieve their goals makes a big difference....

Usually clients notice positive differences from the very first session. Sharing difficulties and knowing a plan is being developed to support them to achieve their goals makes a big difference. Confidence and capabilities grow, session by session.

When they feel heard and listened to with out being judged

When they feel heard and listened to with out being judged

I think that once the client feels they are being heard and that there is hope for the future, they will start to feel that progress is being made. I believe that progress will continue by building on...

I think that once the client feels they are being heard and that there is hope for the future, they will start to feel that progress is being made. I believe that progress will continue by building on those first small steps together until the client feels they are ready and able to continue without therapy.

In every moment along the way. We focus so much on the end goal that we completely miss the journey so for me its about slowing down and noticing the tiny moments of sunlight as they glint through.

In every moment along the way. We focus so much on the end goal that we completely miss the journey so for me its about slowing down and noticing the tiny moments of sunlight as they glint through.

The client should reward themselves for progress immediately after the first session as they have taken the first step to achieve change in their lives. Progress is then dependent on the current state...

The client should reward themselves for progress immediately after the first session as they have taken the first step to achieve change in their lives. Progress is then dependent on the current state of mind and how they view the world. Celebrate the small stuff.

I would hope from the first session. Taking that step and really connecting with a therapist who is a good match for them, is gold.

I would hope from the first session. Taking that step and really connecting with a therapist who is a good match for them, is gold.

When a therapeutic relationship has formed

When a therapeutic relationship has formed

Hopefully immediately. From the first session. I want them to feel deeply heard from the get-go, because being understood by another human is so transformative. Then as we get into strategies, I ask...

Hopefully immediately. From the first session. I want them to feel deeply heard from the get-go, because being understood by another human is so transformative. Then as we get into strategies, I ask my clients to be patient, and to work hard on practicing what we have discussed, because only through consistent practice will new behaviours stick.

When painful and frightening emotions can be reflected on and find representations in language, dreams and creative endeavours.

When painful and frightening emotions can be reflected on and find representations in language, dreams and creative endeavours.