What to expect from your first enquiry to your final session
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, especially if you've never had counselling before. It's completely normal to have questions about what happens next.
This guide explains what you can expect at every stage of your counselling journey with Relationships Sussex.
Getting started is simple.
Step 1: Start Your Enquiry
Complete our online enquiry form, email us at reception@relationshipssussex.org.uk or call 01293 657055.
Our friendly team is here to answer your questions and help you find the right counselling service for your needs.
Step 2: What Happens After I Contact You?
- We aim to contact you within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry.
A few things to be aware of:
- Please check your junk or spam folder, as our emails can occasionally end up there.
- If we call you, our number may appear as Withheld.
When we contact you, we'll ask a few questions so we can:
- create your confidential client record
- understand what has brought you to counselling
- recommend the most appropriate service for you, such as individual, couples, family or psychosexual counselling
- discuss whether you'd prefer face-to-face, online or telephone appointments.
We'll then:
- Offer you the earliest suitable appointment
- Take payment for your initial appointment
- Add you to our waiting list if no appointments are suitable
If none of the available appointments are suitable, we'll add you to our waiting list. Being flexible with days and times often helps us offer you an appointment sooner.
Step 3: Complete Your New Client Forms
Before your initial appointment, we'll send you a small number of new client forms.
These forms help us prepare for your appointment and ensure we have the information we need to support you safely and effectively.
Please complete and return them before your initial appointment. This helps your counsellor make the best use of your session and avoids delays to your appointment.
If you have any questions or need help completing the forms, our administration team will be happy to help.
Step 4: Your Initial Appointment
Your initial appointment is designed to help both you and us decide whether counselling with Relationships Sussex is the right fit.
During this appointment you'll have the opportunity to:
- Talk about what's brought you to counselling
- Ask any questions
- Understand how counselling works
- Explore your goals
Your initial appointment may not be with the counsellor you continue to see. However, your ongoing counsellor will receive the notes from your initial appointment, so you won't need to start from scratch.
After your appointment, your counsellor will discuss your needs with our safeguarding team to ensure we're the most appropriate service for you. If we believe you'd benefit from more specialist support, we'll explain why and help signpost you to another organisation that may be better placed to help.
Will Counselling Suit Me?
Counselling is different for everyone because it's tailored to your individual needs.
It's a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly about what's concerning you, understand yourself and your situation more clearly, and develop practical tools to help you move forward.
There is no pressure to continue after your initial appointment. Together, you and your counsellor can decide whether counselling feels right for you.
Our aim isn't for you to stay in counselling forever. Our role is to help you build the confidence, understanding and coping strategies to manage life's challenges independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at reception@relationshipssussex.org.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
There isn't a set number of counselling sessions.
As a starting point, we usually recommend an initial appointment followed by around six counselling sessions. Together with your counsellor, you'll regularly review your progress and decide what feels right for you.
Some people benefit from fewer sessions, while others choose to continue for longer.
The only exception is our reduced-cost bursary scheme, where funding covers one initial appointment and six ongoing sessions to help us distribute charitable funding fairly.
Feeling nervous about counselling is completely normal.
Many people tell us they were anxious before their first appointment, especially if they've never spoken to a counsellor before.
Your counsellor won't judge you or expect you to know what to say. They'll work at your pace and help you feel as comfortable as possible.
Sometimes counselling can feel challenging as you begin to understand yourself and your situation differently. While this can be uncomfortable, it's often where meaningful change and personal growth happen.
Everything you discuss is confidential, within the limits explained by your counsellor.
Watch our video: Feeling nervous about counselling?
Yes.
Finding the right counsellor is important, and we understand that not every counsellor will be the right fit for every person.
If you feel you'd benefit from working with someone else, please let us know. We'll do our best to arrange this, although there may be a waiting period depending on availability.
In practice, requests to change counsellors are uncommon, but we're always happy to discuss any concerns you may have.
Counselling fees vary depending on the service you choose and whether you attend in person, online or by telephone. You can view our fees here.
We also offer reduced-cost counselling for eligible clients through our bursary scheme.
Counselling doesn't have to be the end of your journey.
By the time your sessions come to an end, many people feel they have a better understanding of themselves, greater confidence in managing life's challenges and practical tools they can continue using in everyday life.
Some clients choose to return for further counselling later in life if new challenges arise, while others book an occasional review session after a few months.
Whenever you need us, the door is always open.
Ready to take the first step?
You don't need to have all the answers before contacting us.
Complete our enquiry form, email us or give us a call, and we'll help you find the counselling service that's right for you.