What happens in a counselling session?
Starting counselling can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time. At Riverside, we aim to make your sessions feel safe, inclusive and supportive – a space where you can talk openly about whatever’s on your mind.
Each session lasts around 50 minutes and takes place weekly, either in person or online depending on what works best for you.
Your first few sessions may involve getting to know each other, talking about what’s brought you to counselling, and thinking about what you’d like to get out of it. You can ask questions at any time and your counsellor will go at your pace.
Your counsellor will listen without judgement and won’t give advice or tell you what to do. Instead, they’ll help you explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences, so you can start to understand yourself better and find your own solutions.
If you need to find out any more about what happens in a session or about counselling, you can read our FAQ’s or contact us.
You can talk about specific problems, difficult emotions, relationships, or anything that feels important to you – there’s no right or wrong thing to bring.
Counselling is a collaborative process – it’s about working together to help you feel clearer, stronger, and better able to cope with whatever life throws at you.