Stephen Weaver Counselling & Psychotherapy
Central London and Putney, South West London

counselling south west london

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact you?

Click here to e-mail
or
Tel: 07939 393567

Please use the answerphone. I will return your call as soon as possible.


What experience do you have?

I began working as a couples' counsellor in 1995, as an individual counsellor in 1999. I qualified as a psychotherapist in 2001 and as a supervisor in 2003.

Since then I have worked in private practice, as a relationship counsellor with Marriage Care, for five years as HIV/Sexual Health Counsellor at PACE and as an affiliate counsellor in Employee Assistance Programmes, provided by BUPA, Ceridian Lifeworks and Right Corecare, among others.

I have worked extensively with glbt clients and I am a Member of the Directory of Pink Therapists

I also conduct supervision with individuals and groups.

I currently have an average weekly caseload of 20 clients in 2 London locations.


What are your professional qualifications?

I hold a Certificate in Marital Counselling (1998) from the University College of Ripon and York St.John, Leeds

I hold a Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (2001) and a Diploma in Supervsion (2003), each accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), from The Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, (CCPE), which is a member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).


Are you accredited to a professional organisation?

I have been registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) since 2002. My work was successfully audited by UKCP in May 2010.


Do you subscribe to a code of professional ethics?

My therapeutic work is conducted in accordance with the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).


Do you receive ongoing training?

Within the past twelve months, as well as continuing a training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I have taken part in trainings on Teaching Clients Mindfulness Skills and in CBT for Anxiety with Christine Padesky.

Do you receive regular supervision?

Yes.

Are you receiving ongoing personal therapy?

Yes.


Where are you located?

In Central London at 89 Fleet Street, at the Ludgate Circus end of Fleet Street, beside St.Bride’s church. See Map

The nearest stations are Temple (District Line, during closure of Blackfriars), St.Paul’s (Central Line) and City Thameslink.
Ludgate Circus stands at the crossroads of several London bus routes, accessing most rail stations.

In South West London, just off the High Street, in the centre of Putney. See Map

This location is under 5 minutes walk from the Underground station at East Putney (District Line) and from the main line station at Putney, which is served from Waterloo, Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. It is close to the South Circular Road, Putney Bridge Road and Putney High Street, all of which carry local buses.

Metered parking is available nearby between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm.


What is your availability?

Daytime and evening appointments are available in:

Central London on Monday and Tuesday
South-west London on Wednesday and Thursday.

I regret that I am currently unable to accommodate couples at my Putney practice.


What are your fees?

My fees are normally £60 per session (£70 for couples).

Fees are payable at the end of each session by cash or cheque or a month in advance. I am not able to process payment by debit or credit card.

Fees are revised on an annual basis. A month’s notice will be given of any intended increase.


How long do sessions last?

A session is 50 minutes long and begins at the time booked.

Sessions are normally arranged on a weekly basis, at the same time and at the same place, but I offer some flexibility for those whose patterns of work are subject to change.


How do I arrange an appointment?

Click here to e-mail or call me on 07939 393567

There will be an answerphone for your message if I am unavailable and I will return your call as soon as possible.


Can I refer myself?

Yes you can. Sometimes people are referred by their family doctor, their Employee Assistance Programme or by a friend, or they can refer themselves. Sometimes a check-up with your GP is a good idea to see if a problem, such as depression or anxiety, has an underlying medical cause.


What happens if I am unsure about whether I want to procede with counselling or therapy?

Our first session together is an assessment, to allow you to describe the issue you would like to explore, to allow me to discover something of your personal history and for both of us to see if we can work together.

You are under no obligation to continue beyond a first appointment, although the usual fee will be charged for it.

If we do agree to work together, I will offer you an informal contract, which explains the timings of sessions and what happens in the event of cancellations or missed sessions.

What actually happens in the course of a session?

The normal format is that of a conversation, in which you are free to speak about whatever you wish, in complete confidence. I respond in a constructive and non-judgmental way. Sometimes the conversation will flow; sometimes it may move into silence. Occasionally I may suggest working in a non-verbal way, with pens and paper, for example, or by focusing attention on what you are feeling in your body.

It is difficult to be more specific than that, because so much depends on the issues you bring, the goals we set for our work together and the ways in which our personalities interact.


What happens if I have to cancel an appointment?

If you are unable to make an appointment for any reason please inform me in good time and I will make every effort to reschedule within the same week.

An appointment missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged in full.

You will not be charged for sessions if I am away or forced to cancel.


How does counselling draw to a close?

If a set number of counselling sessions have been agreed, the contract comes to an end when they are completed, although the number of sessions may be extended beyond the number first proposed, by mutual agreement.

Notice of four weeks should normally be given before ending therapy, so that we can review our work together and make an appropriate ending.



Frequently Asked Questions #01What about confidentiality?

Our work is confidential. In exceptional cases, ( eg. if a client reveals current abuse of children or intention to cause serious physical harm to him/herself or others), counsellors have a professional and ethical duty to inform clients that they may find it necessary to take this information outside of counselling.

For this reason, I normally request the name and address of your General Practitioner. Any action is discussed with you first.

I receive regular supervision, but identities are not revealed.







If you have further questions Click here to e-mail or call 07939 393567





 counsellingetc@me.comPh 07939 393567 or 020 8789 4232  

©2010 Stephen Weaver :: powered by WebHealer