Frequently Asked Questions

There may be questions you have both now and in the future.  I’m always happy to answer any questions you have as clearly and transparently as possible.  Below are some of the questions I am asked most often or that I think are important for you to know.  We can always discuss any of these in our initial chat or during a session if you would like.

What’s the difference between a counsellor and a therapist?

These terms are often used interchangeably which is why I use them both on this site.  Whatever title someone uses, it is important to ensure they are qualified and registered with one of the professional counselling bodies (see below for why that is important). 

In the UK, anyone can call themselves or imply that they are a counsellor or therapist.  This is of great concern as it means some people may do more harm than good when working with you.  While some may be well-meaning, I always say that we “don’t know what we don’t know”, and that’s where the problem lies. Qualified and registered counsellors and therapists go through years of training, learning a huge amount about many of the things they “didn’t know they didn’t know”.  Not only have we learnt theories and approaches as well as spending time on placement to ensure we are fit to practice in an ethical and safe manner, we have also spent a vast amount of time delving deep into ourselves and growing our own self-awareness.  This uncovers the things that can go unnoticed or unresolved in ourselves, which is important to ensure safety for you when I work with you.

As a qualified and registered member of a professional body such as the BACP, NCPS or UKCP, counsellors and therapists have to follow an ethical framework, protecting your rights, supporting your autonomy and ensuring we work to high professional standards.  By working in an ethical manner I will keep you safe, respected and genuinely supported, providing you with professional and confidential sessions – what you share with me is kept private.  You will be treated with care, fairness and without discrimination.  If something goes wrong, being a registered member of a professional body means there is a formal complaints procedure in place to protect you.

As part of our registered status we all, quite rightly, have to continually develop professionally (CPD).  Furthermore, any qualified and registered counsellor / therapist has to have their work supervised which provides an added layer of protection to you by allowing us to talk through our work with someone else while maintaining your confidentiality.  This ensures that our work remains ethical and to a high standard, and things that we may have missed (we are human!) are brought to our attention with your safety being paramount.

Do ask your counsellor or therapist about their qualifications and their registration.  Any properly qualified and registered counsellor or therapist will be more than happy to discuss this with you.

Do also be aware of individuals who are not members of a professional body but who put a string of letters after their name to make them look like they are highly qualified.  Find out what they mean, and if any qualification those letters stand for is relevant.  But as always, ensure they are a counsellor / therapist / psychotherapist registered with a professional body.

To check that any counsellor or therapist is qualified and registered, visit the relevant professional register such as BACP,  NCPS,  and UKCP.

This is written to inform, rather than scare.  If you ensure any potential counsellor / therapist is registered then you will be putting yourself in the best possible position for a positive outcome to your counselling journey.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions about this.  I will always be happy to help you ensure you see a qualified and registered professional, even if that isn’t me!

Talking therapy, also known as counselling or therapy, is a form of support where individuals speak with a trained professional to explore and work through emotional difficulties, mental health issues, or life challenges.

It involves building a relationship based on trust to allow you to speak openly about your thoughts, feelings, behaviours – anything that is relevant to you and your life.  I will listen to you in a non-judgmental, confidential, and supportive environment, and walk alongside you to help you understand yourself better and develop healthy coping strategies.

You will decide what to talk about and how deeply to explore – you are the person at the centre of the therapy.

It can be used for a wide range of issues including

There are many approaches to talking therapy.  You don’t need to know about or understand any particular way of working, but you may want to know that I work in an integrative manner primarily using the person-centred approach.  In short, this approach focuses on you being the expert of yourself, with me walking alongside you to help you find your own solutions and a path forward.  I provide a safe, empathic and accepting space for you to explore your feelings and thoughts freely without fear of judgement.   I will value and accept you without judgement, regardless of what is shared.  I will be authentic and transparent with you, showing you honesty and openness.  You will decide what to talk about and how deeply to explore – you are the person at the centre of the therapy.

I pull on other approaches and modalities depending on issues brought and where you are in your life.  We work together to improve your life and find a way forward.

For more information see my About page.

If a counsellor or therapist says they are ‘trauma informed’, this should means they have undergone additional training and experience to work with trauma.  I am such a counsellor / therapist and my training has ensured I am equipped to work with you in a safe manner in relation to more complicated trauma-related issues. 

You may have heard of PTSD or C-PTSD but you don’t need this diagnosis to be suffering from traumatic events.  Trauma is any experience that overwhelms your thoughts, emotions or body either unexpectedly, sporadically or continually.  As examples:

  • Violence
  • Domestic abuse
  • Verbal abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Childhood abuse or neglect
  • Spiritual or religious abuse
  • Being in an accident or natural disaster
  • Witnessing abuse
  • Witnessing bodily harm or death     
  • Sudden or violent death in your life
  • Fear of harm
  • High stress environments

Trauma can present in different ways for different people, and different people deal differently with the same issues.  If an event is affecting you, I can help.

Do take a look at my About page.

If you’ve found a properly qualified and registered counsellor or therapist, ask them some questions to find out more about them, get a feel for who they are and how you connect with them, and to feel comfortable that they have the right training and experience for you.  Sometimes your gut will tell you if something doesn’t feel right, or if it feels comfortable and right for you. Ultimately it’s the relationship you build with your counsellor or therapist that will aid you in working with your challenges.

I work with adults age 18 and upwards.

See my About page for more about me including my qualifications and training.

A counselling / therapy session provides a calm, confidential and safe space where you can talk openly about whatever is on your mind. You set the pace, and there’s no expectation to arrive with answers or a clear story. We begin by exploring what feels most important for you that day, noticing thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be affecting your wellbeing. I’ll listen closely, ask gentle questions, and help you make sense of what you’re experiencing. Together we can explore whatever you need to help you move forward.  Each session is collaborative, steady, and centred on helping you feel understood, supported, and more grounded in yourself.

Absolutely.  Whatever you talk about remains in the space that we are in.  I may make a few notes, but rest assured that any electronic notes are kept encrypted and any written notes are kept in a safe.  If we are working together online, our calls are end-to-end encrypted. 

There may be times when confidentiality needs to be broken but these are rare.  Examples are where I believe you may be in danger to yourself or others, or if there is criminal activity that needs to be reported.  We will go through this together in our first session to ensure you are happy with what confidentiality means as we work together.

As a qualified and registered counsellor / therapist, to work ethically my work is also supervised by another experienced, qualified and registered counsellor / therapist.  Whilst I may discuss your case with my supervisor, you will not be identifiable to them and they are bound by the same confidentiality that I am.

Absolutely.  I work online (camera on or off – it’s up to you) or face to face in Chepstow, South East Wales (right on the border of England and Wales, close to Newport, Bristol and South Gloucestershire).

Each session is 50 minutes and costs £60 (see question below if you are on a low income).  You do not have to commit to a set number of sessions, as we will work together for as short or as long a period as you need, usually on a weekly or fortnightly basis.  Fees are reviewed at regular intervals, which we will discuss when we first meet either for a quick chat or during your first session.

I hold a small number of spaces for people who are on a low income.  If cost is a barrier for you, do contact me and we can have a confidential discussion to see if this option is available to you.

This depends on the number and intensity of the challenges and issues you want to bring to our sessions.  You may be looking to work on a specific issue, or you may want to work on a number of issues.  I do not set a specific number of sessions as every person is unique and has individual needs.  One size does not fit all.  We can work together for as short or as long a time period as you would like, and we can also take breaks if needed.  We will review our work together over time, to understand where we are, your experience, and what is or isn’t working for you.

Each session will be invoiced for and must be paid for at least 48 hours in advance.  If you have not paid within 48 hours of the session, it will be cancelled and you will need to re-book.  If you have paid but cancel within 48 hours of a booked session, the cost is non-refundable.  This ensures that others can make use of any available sessions.

Still have questions?

If you can’t find the answer that you’re looking for here then please feel free to get in touch with me. You can find all the different ways to get in touch on my contact page.

Contact me
Free 15 minute chat

Let's have a chat!

If you’re ready to talk, explore what’s going on, or simply take the first small step, I offer a free 15 minute phone or video call so you can get a feel for me, ask any questions, and see whether counselling / therapy with me feels like the right fit for you. This includes:

  • Talking about what you’re looking for in counselling / therapy
  • Giving you time to ask me anything you need such as who I am, my experience, how I work whether online or face-to-face in Chepstow, South East Wales (close to Newport, Bristol and South Gloucestershire)
  • No pressure to continue afterwards
  • If you are ready, we can discuss my availability to book your first session
  • Referring you to someone else if I am not a good fit for you

To book your free 15 minute chat, you can fill in the form below, email me at , or send me a WhatsApp message or text message on 07564 069711. I will then contact you to arrange.

Free 15 minute chat

Let's have a chat!

If you’re ready to talk, explore what’s going on, or simply take the first small step, I offer a free 15 minute phone or video call so you can get a feel for me, ask any questions, and see whether counselling or therapy with me feels like the right fit for you. This includes

  • Looking at what you’re looking for in counselling or therapy
  • Giving you time to ask me anything about how I work, online or face to face
  • No pressure to continue afterwards
  • If you are ready, we can discuss my availability to book your first session
  • Referring you to someone else if I am not a good fit for you

To book your free 15 minute chat, you can fill in the form below, email me at , or send me a WhatsApp voice or text message on 07564 069711. I will then contact you to arrange.

My professional accreditations and credentials

Catriona Standingford Registered Member 420820 MBACP logo
Catriona Standingford Member of NCPS
Catriona Standingford Trauma Informed Practitioner Counsellor Therapy MBACP

Are you in an emergency?

Are you currently experiencing an emergency or major crisis? Are you considering serious self-harm? Please seek immediate help from your GP, visiting your nearest A&E or dialing 999.

If you would like to have someone listen to you, you can also contact the Samaritans immediately on 116 123.  They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.