Mary Lim Counselling & Psychotherapy | Telephone Counselling

TELEPHONE COUNSELLING

Counselling for you, convenient for you.

Telephone counselling gives you the opportunity to access counselling at a time and in a place convenient to you. By having counselling sessions on the phone, you don't need to travel to my office in Bromsgrove in order to have counselling sessions with me. Like online counselling, it can therefore be a helpful option if you need to fit your counselling sessions in around a tight work schedule.

I take nationwide referrals in the UK for telephone counselling.

Telephone Counselling: How does it work?

Counselling on the telephone is less similar to working face to face than online counselling. You won't be able to see me or my reactions, and this may mean that we both need to explain verbally what we are feeling or picking up on much more than we might face to face. However, the fact that all we know about the other person is what we hear from them can also mean that both you and I are able to pick up on slight changes in tone of voice etc. that we might miss face to face.

You may find it easier to talk about difficult subjects on the phone, when you know that I can't see you. Others may find it easier via video link. You may also enjoy the freedom that telephone counselling gives you: you can have your counselling session in any place that you have a phone signal. There is no right or wrong, it is simply what works best for you that matters.

We will use email, phone or text message to agree an appointment time.

At the agreed time, I will call you using my work mobile phone (07473459100). If you would prefer me to withhold my number for the purpose of these calls, please let me know in advance and I will do this.

Our session will then take place over the phone. It is often easier, when making long phone calls, to use a headset with microphone, or even the headphones with built-in microphone that came with your phone to avoid the strain of holding the phone to your ear. It can also be easier to talk freely this way, as it feels more natural, and more like talking to someone face-to-face. Having the freedom to get up and move around when you’re talking about difficult things can help to ground you.

Practical aspects of Telephone Counselling

It's important to think about the practical aspects of having counselling in your own home or workplace. Do you have a private space available where you won't be overheard? For some, if your partner and/or family are likely to be in the house with you, this may not be possible.

If the focus of your counselling is likely to be your relationships with the people currently in your house with you, would you be able to talk about them safely and freely? If not, then it may be better to consider attending your telephone counselling sessions while you are in a different place.

If you are in a situation where your internet/telephone usage is monitored by others: your work, or even your partner, please consider your safety and whether having online or telephone counselling may have an adverse effect on these relationships if they were to find out. The most important thing is that you remain safe.

I ask for payment in advance for telephone counselling sessions. I will send you an invoice via email in advance of your booked session, which contains a link whereby you can pay for your session securely online via credit or debit card. Payment must be made at least 24 hours in advance of your session.

What Next?

If you would like to explore having telephone counselling with me, then we can have an initial conversation via email, text, or on the phone. Contact me, and we'll get the process started.

Fees