Kirsty is obviously experienced in building rapport with someone she had never met before. Whilst we were unable to meet face to face due to COVID-19, my preference was to have telephone calls, rather than zoom meetings, and Kirsty accepted this. To help build rapport, at our initial meeting, Kirsty clarified her role and the limitations of her role, and the expectations of us both. She set the scene with emphasis on confidentiality and gave information on record keeping and the reporting of serious concerns of my mental wellbeing or illegal activity to others. She also stated that if at any stage I felt it wasn't working between us, I was not to hesitate mentioning that, and that other arrangements could be made. I found the sessions worthwhile as during the sessions, and the course of sessions, I was given the time and space to work through various issues or problems I was going through. Kristy practiced active listening and reflected back what I had said, checked if she had got it right, and crucially, how that made me feel. Kirsty allowed for a trusting relationship to develop between us, as she kept to her obligations and gave me no reason not to trust her. By providing a safe, non-judgmental and respectful environment I felt confident in being able to explore my emotions and how to tackle the issues and decisions I was facing with greater confidence and optimism

I found Kirsty to be open, flexible and approachable.

I want to write and thank you for your counselling sessions. Before I started the sessions, I was feeling extremely low due to a recent bereavement and financial pressures after been made redundant just before Covid hit and not securing a job for nearly 9 months and at a much lower pay than previously. It was so helpful to be able to talk with you and reflect upon my feelings, behavioural patterns, and habitual responses. I now feel that I am in a much better space and taken some positive actions around self-care and wellbeing.

You are very perceptive and have picked up on a lot of the thoughts and feelings that I had. I have found the sessions to be of great help to me.