Kate Dobson, PGDip
Person-Centred Counselling

If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you are struggling in some way. Perhaps this is the first time you have begun the search for some support, or it may be that you are looking to try something new. Whatever your situation, it may be useful for you to know that there is reason to be optimistic about your future; change is possible. Whatever you decide to do next, whether it is to contact me or to continue looking for a counsellor that feels like a good fit for you, I hope that you find the support you are looking for. Your pain and your struggle matter, and I hope that you find a way of helping that works for you.

What is Counselling:

There are many different ways in which people struggle. Perhaps you are living with a life changing event or loss. It may be that you are trying to cope with persistent anxiety or depression, or other mental health difficulty. Some people are struggling without quite knowing why. For others, just trying to live in a difficult world requires all of their strength. All of these things can be traumatic and challenging to deal with. Whatever your own struggle, counselling may be able to support you. I offer a non-judgemental, accepting space in which you can begin to explore whatever issue you wish to investigate. Building trust, we will communicate with each other in a deep way, unearthing meaning for you and reaching a better understanding of what might be going on for you. This kind of work, whilst at times challenging, can also be profoundly healing.

Optional free thirty min session:

It is really important that you find a counsellor who suits you, both as a person and in the way in which they work. For this reason, I offer a no-obligation thirty-minute introductory session at no cost, in which we can spend a little time getting to know each other. Whilst this is not a counselling session, it is an opportunity for you to see if working together would be a good fit for you. Equally, you don’t have to have this session if you would prefer to begin regular sessions immediately.

Flexible amount of sessions:

Although some people find that they need a relatively small amount of sessions to make a difference in their lives, for others counselling can be a much longer process. With this in mind, I accommodate both short-term and long-term counselling. There is no limit on how many sessions you have access to.

Online/in person/weekly/fortnightly:

Although I primarily work face to face, online or telephone work is possible. Sessions are usually one hour weekly, though It may be that fortnightly works better for you, or that an hour is too long. Please do ask as I aim to be as flexible as possible.

Fees:

My standard fee is £47.50 per hour, though it may be possible to offer a reduced rate depending on your particular circumstances.

Get In Touch

If you have any queries or would like to book a session then contact me using the details below, or fill in the contact form.

I work in Cameron House, which is part of the White Cross Business Park in Lancaster. The postcode is LA1 4XF. There is a bus stop at the business park (Lancaster Infirmary), and it is a 15 min walk from the train station. I will provide you with detailed instructions of how to get to Cameron House if we start working togegther.

Location

Directions from the railway station

There is limited parking on site, and a car park very close by. If you do park on site, you need to enter your car registration number at reception so that you don’t get a parking fine. Reception is in the Gatehouse building.

What are your qualifications?

I am a fully qualified counsellor, and hold a PGDip in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Tell me about the room you work in?

It is a confidential and comfortable space in Central Lancaster. There are toilets nearby, and I can supply beverages and tissues as needed. It is accessible to those with reduced mobility.

What will our session be like?

Counselling can be quite a confusing activity, and it is most effectively understood by participating in it. The hour will consist of us talking about whatever it is you want to discuss. Perhaps there is something specific you want to focus on, or maybe you don’t quite know what you want to say. Some people feel that their problems are too small to talk about, and some people have experienced massively traumatic events and losses which are completely overwhelming. All of these things are appropriate to bring to counselling, because whatever is going on for you is what you need to talk about.

How does the person-centred approach work?

Perhaps you are wondering how this particular approach can possibly work. How can simply being listened to change things? I am including here some very brief information about theory and research.

The person-centred approach has a highly developed theoretical background founded by Carl Rogers during the 50s and 60s. His books ‘On Becoming a Person’ and ‘A Way of Being’ are great places to start if you are interested in the theory of person centredness. A good example of his way of thinking is demonstrated in this quote from ‘On Becoming a Person’: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

If you are interested in some of the research findings regarding the efficacy of the person-centred approach, perhaps this blog will contain some useful information for you.