What to expect from your first session

Counselling with Gill Torres - online, in-person, by phone

Your journey to attending counselling sessions with me begins with a free 15 minute intro call.

If you then decide to book a session, we'll find a timeslot that works and I'll send you a booking link, so you can confirm by making payment.

Along with your link, you'll receive a counselling contract. Please read through the contract in detail, and return it to me by email prior to your session (you don't need to print and sign it - I'll include instructions for accepting via email). If you want to discuss the contract before signing you can call, email, or hold off from accepting and discuss it at the start of your first session, then sign in-person.

I'll also ask you to complete an intake form, so I can gather information including your GP and emergency contact. This is a requirement of my insurance, as well as being important for your safety.

In-person counselling in Birkenhead

Face-to-face counselling sessions happen at:

Birkenhead Park Counselling Centre

Laird Health & Business Centre

320 Laird St

Birkenhead

CH41 8ER

You can park on Laird Street for free, or get the train to Birkenhead North, less than a 10 minute walk away.

Please arrive for your session 5-10 minutes early, but no earlier in case I'm with another client. When you're outside, send me a text or ring the doorbell. I'll come down and let you in. I need to come down from the first floor, so this will take a minute or two.

How online and and telephone counselling works

If you're attending an online session, I'll send you the video-call link and instructions as soon as payment is received.

If attending by phone, I'll call you at the appointment time.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVACY: Please make sure you are in a comfortable, private space, where you won't be disturbed for the whole of the session. If you think this could be a problem, let me know before the session. If other people are present, including babies and children, the session cannot go ahead and you will not be refunded.

Session one

At the start of the first session, I'll ask you what you're hoping to get from counselling. You don't have to have a solid goal, but understanding why you booked, what you're dealing with, and what you'd like life to look/feel like will help both of us make sure counselling is working for you, over time.

Beyond the first session

Should you decide to book a second session, your timeslot belongs to you every week, or every other week depending on what you choose.

You won't be tied into a contract, just asked to pay for your next upcoming session, in order to confirm.

Need to skip a session or rearrange? No problem. As long as you give me more than 48 hours notice you will receive a full refund. Less than 48 hours notice and you will be charged for your session.

Counselling is a journey. From one week to the next you might not feel like anything is changing, but month-to-month it will be. I'll invite you to review your progress every 4-6 weeks. This is a gentle invitation, and you don't need to 'prove your progress' or anything scary like that - it's just a check in, so we can both make sure you're getting your money's worth!

Any questions?

If your first counselling session is booked and your questions weren't answered on this page, send me an email or a text (using the contact details provided during your intro call).

If you haven't yet booked an intro call, click the button at the bottom of this page to make that happen, or use the form to ask a question.

I look forward to meeting you soon,

Gill