On this page, you will find Frequently Asked Questions and their answers.
Feel free to contact Counselling and Wellbeing Scotland with any additional questions. 

Here is a list of the FAQs. Scroll down the page to find the answers.

1.    What kind of counselling will I get at Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland?

2.    Will anybody find out that I go to counselling?

3.    If I go to counselling, does it mean there is something wrong with me?

4.    Will I have to discuss things that I wish to keep private?

5.    Will I feel better right away?

6.    How long is a counselling session?

7.    How many counselling sessions will I need?

8.    How often do I need to go to counselling?

9.    What if I miss my counselling session?

10.    Can I re-schedule my appointment?

11.    Why do I need to pay a deposit?



1.    What kind of counselling will I get at Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland?

There are many theories and approaches to counselling and psychotherapy.

At Counselling and Wellbeing Scotland you will receive counselling based on the Person-Centred Approach to Counselling. This approach was developed by Carl Rogers, and it is sometimes called Rogerian Counselling. It places the client at the centre of counselling which means that the counsellor does not see her/his job as giving advice or interpreting your dreams or thoughts. Instead, every CWS Counsellor aims to create a safe and caring environment and build a relationship of trust wherein each client feels comfortable enough to explore thoughts, feelings and experiences and undertake a journey to greater understanding, wellbeing and personal growth and development. CWS Counsellors are dedicated to honouring their clients’ perspectives and experiences.

Every CWS Counsellor has a unique professional toolbox of techniques, strategies and approaches to counselling that may be helpful to you and, as such, may work in an integrative style. At CWS we believe that different people need different things at different moments. However, underlying each specific way of working is the person-centred notion that every person deserves respect and that the client should decide what to bring to the counselling room. 

2.    Will anybody find out that I go to counselling?

No. Counselling and Wellbeing Scotland follows British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy guidelines for Confidentiality, Records Management and Data Protection. Your counsellor will discuss with you the details of these guidelines at the start of counselling, and you are welcome to discuss these issues whenever you wish during counselling.

3.    If I go to counselling, does it mean there is something wrong with me?

No. Happily, most people now understand that old-fashioned taboos and stigmas around counselling are outdated and meaningless. In today’s modern world, seeking Wellbeing is desirable and even admirable. Wellbeing is a state of mind that comes from mental, physical, emotional and spiritual balance. Counselling is an effective way for every person to explore and make meaning of our thoughts, feelings and experiences. This contributes to our sense of personal Wellbeing that, in turn, positively affects our relationships, professional performance and day to day lives. 

4.    Will I have to discuss things that I wish to keep private?

No. Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland is a person-centred practice, which means that your counsellor respects each person’s choice to discuss what feels safe and appropriate. The counsellor will not pry or dig for information that you do not wish to disclose.

5.    Will I feel better right away?

Every client, every situation and every individual counselling session are different. Sometimes clients feel instant relief when they find a counsellor they trust and want to work with. However, the process of counselling therapy often stirs up painful emotions before lasting benefits are felt, and it is important to honour your commitment to the counselling process even when the going gets tough. Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland offers a committed, trusted and quality service, and we work with our clients through ups and downs. 

6.    How long is a counselling session?

A counselling session normally lasts 50 minutes. For example, a session scheduled to begin at 3 pm will end at 3:50pm.

7.    How many counselling sessions will I need?

The number of sessions you will need depends on you, your counsellor and your concerns; there is no fixed number of sessions. However, it is important to keep in mind that counselling is a therapeutic process that takes time to reap full benefits. At your first meeting, you and your counsellor will discuss your initial goals for counselling and negotiate an initial number of sessions to which both of you will commit. Please note that Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland does not limit the number of counselling sessions that a person can access; this allows clients to work in-depth with their counsellor through a variety of issues. However, you may negotiate time-limited therapy with your counsellor, if you have a specific issue you wish to address in a limited amount of time. Throughout the counselling process, you will have opportunities to review how the process is working for you and if you feel you would like to continue, take a new direction or end. 

8.    How often do I need to go to counselling?

Counselling is normally once a week. Once you decide to work with a counsellor at Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland, you will negotiate a weekly appointment that will be reserved for you with your counsellor. You will verbally contract a period of therapy, a weekly fee and arrangements for payment during holidays and missed appointments. This verbal contract marks both parties’ commitment to work together for a period of time, and it ensures that your appointment time is reserved for you each week.

9.    What if I miss my counselling session?

You are responsible for full payment of your weekly appointment -whether you meet with your counsellor of not. Payment of your fee is a mark of your commitment to the counselling process that you have entered with your counsellor. It also safeguards your appointment time with your counsellor, and ensures that no one else will be slotted in for an appointment instead of you. 

10.    Can I re-schedule my appointment?

Weekly attendance at counselling sessions and payment are a sign of your commitment to the counselling process. However, if you are unable to keep your reserved appointment time, you are responsible for contacting your counsellor at least 24 hours before your appointment start time.  (For example, if your weekly appointment is Monday at 2 pm, you would need to contact your counsellor via email, phone or text before 2 pm the previous day (Sunday) AT THE LATEST). If you do this, your counsellor may be able to offer you an alternate appointment that week at no extra charge. Unfortunately, if you contact your counsellor with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged the full cost of your appointment and you will not be offered the option to re-schedule the missed appointment free of charge. In the case of emergency, please contact your counsellor as soon as you know that you will miss an appointment.

11.    Why do I need to pay a deposit?

When you decide to begin counselling therapy, you will be required to make a deposit equal to your weekly appointment fee. This deposit will be returned to you at your last appointment with your counsellor, or it can be used to pay for your final appointment. Counselling & Wellbeing Scotland uses the deposit with discretion to pay for any unpaid appointment up to and including the agreed end date of the verbally-contracted period of counselling therapy.