About My Service
It is my pleasure to introduce my service and how I approach my work as a counsellor. Please do not hesitate to get in touch to ask anything else at all.
My relationship with you
The relationship between us is the key factor in our work together. This involves feeling comfortable and having rapport with me so you feel 'safe' in opening up. I am approachable and friendly and will always work from your frame of reference. I am not judgmental, and will never impose my own values or beliefs onto you.
A welcoming space for all
I wholly realise that your experiences, your thoughts, feelings and how you approach the world is unique only to you. You may have experienced prejudice due to the colour of your skin; or because of your sexuality or sexual identity; your 'disability'; or because you are from another country; religion; or culture. Or just for being 'different'.
This is totally unfair and undeserving, and although I won’t have experienced the world from your eyes, I promise that I will do my very best to understand whatever you bring to my room from your frame of reference, and offer a safe space, free of judgement.
Some of the areas I can help you with
Throughout the years, I have supported people through many concerns in their life. Just a few of these areas are detailed below.
Counselling to help with confidence and low self-belief
Self-doubt and low confidence will affect us all from time to time. We may doubt our ability to achieve our goals in a certain area, and it’s hard to get off the starting block. Perhaps we fear being judged, which might be holding us back. We might not quite trust our ability, and are afraid to put it to the test. Procrastination and perfectionism may also be part of the mix.
This can easily result in low mood or a lack of motivation. We may project our feelings onto others – perhaps irritation with the ones we love. We could feel low, frustrated and really disheartened that we cannot overcome the block in our path; and may not always understand why.
Maybe we have been carrying self-doubt from our childhood: after all, the messages we get growing up are powerful, and we can easily take this into our adulthood - whether consciously or not.
I have helped many people to work through issues of confidence and self-belief in their life. Knowing and understanding the source is helpful (although not always necessary); and I can work with you to identify and implement helpful tools and strategies that you could take forward.
Support for Anxiety and Stress
We can all feel the effect of stress and anxiety sometimes, and I have written a support page at the link below. This short article illustrates some of the ways that I would approach my work with you; and also, how I have used tools to help myself in this area.
If you are seeking a counsellor in Central Glasgow to support you with anxiety or stress, then please do not hesitate to get in touch or to ask any questions you may have. A free consultation, lasting up to half an hour, is also available on-line.
Feeling Low, Sad or Depressed
I think that we are all likely to experience a low mood or sadness from time to time. But if you have been persistently feeling low for more than a few days - perhaps for weeks or months - then you may be suffering from depression.
The NHS points out that depression is not trivial, but is a real illness - and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include a sense that life is pointless, and maybe it feels too painful to go on living. This excellent NHS information page may be a source of support for you if you feel depressed.
It may be helpful to talk to a therapist, with an aim to understand your triggers and how you respond; as well as to get an understanding of your underlying thought processes. You may be able to work on an approach to manage it in a way that is more helpful for you.
My support page may also be of assistance to you, and also contains links to external sources of support.
Bereavement Therapy and Support
Experiencing the death of somebody in your life can be a difficult and confusing time. There is not a time limit, or a straight pathway through grief and loss, and a range of emotions might be present.
I certainly don’t believe in the old adage that one ever ‘gets over’ a bereavement. But through time, it can be possible to find space in your life to live as good a life as possible, without ever minimising what the person meant to you.
I worked as a bereavement therapist for 4 years. Information, support; and an impression of how I would approach my work can be found at the link below.
Support for Bereavement
An example of the work I may do
For example, many of us have experienced a bereavement or a difficult break up, and this can be a troublesome and confusing time. Unbearable emotions may have been held in, such as feeling extremely hurt or angry. You may initially need sufficient space and time to express such overwhelming feelings, and to be heard and understood.
There may come a time when you feel ready to reflect on specific aspects of the situation itself; or to plot a course through life again. There may be a need to resolve and find a deeper understanding of your thoughts and emotions - feelings such as fear and loss, and thoughts such as wondering how you might ever cope. We may also explore coping strategies to help with areas such as worry, anger or anxiety.
Events and experiences from the past impact on how we think, feel and behave today. It may therefore be necessary to explore this to gain understanding and clarity; and to aid better functioning in the present and future.
What you might expect from the counselling process
During our first meeting, I will spend time hearing about what brings you to my room.
Through collaborating together, we can begin to outline your goals and objectives moving forward.
Our first session will give us the opportunity to:
- meet each other, and for you and ask any questions or express any concerns
- Decide if you feel comfortable working with me
- Deal with issues, such as boundaries and confidentiality
- Obtain a summary of why you are seeking help
- Begin to outline goals and objectives
I will not normally give you direct advice, or tell you what I think you should do. Instead, we would reflect and think about how you may help and support yourself as best you can; or to gain as much insight and clarity as possible about whatever it is you are seeking support with.
You may find that as you get in touch with painful thoughts, feelings or memories, that they don't feel easy. This is quite normal, and part of the healing process. The therapy will be taken at a pace that you feel comfortable with, and which you are in control of.
I will always work with you to ensure you feel safe and cared for during the sessions; and support you to think about how you could manage whatever may come up for you between sessions too.
Access for wheelchair users or individuals with mobility issues
Due to the nature of the tenement building, there are a few steps to access the lift. Unfortunately, my service is not accessible for individuals with mobility issues.
How long therapy might last
The duration depends on what you bring to therapy, as well as any goals you want to achieve. It is flexible, and would regularly be reviewed during the counselling process.
Some clients will get what they need within 2 or 3 sessions, for example, if they want to talk through a single issue, such as a conflict with a friend or colleague. Other experiences, such as past trauma, involves sensitive work over a much longer period of time.
What space is required between sessions?
Many people find weekly or fortnightly sessions to start with work best, since there is enough time to contemplate, before 'freshly' bringing back thoughts or experiences for further reflection.
Then as time goes on, many people have longer intervals (e.g. monthly) before working towards an ending. And then feeling free to check in periodically if something has come up that needs to be discussed.
As far as I am concerned, there is no set rule. It is always based on one's own personal circumstances: for example, what they need to discuss; the time thy have available; or financial circumstances.
It is important that you are at ease with whoever you choose as your therapist.
Therefore, I offer a telephone consultation, free of charge, which would last up to 20 minutes.
This would give you the opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have, and to see how you feel after talking to me.
There is no obligation to book a service afterwards.
Fees for each individual session
Sessions are charged at £45 per session.
Payment is taken at the end of each session, either by cash; i-zettle card reader or bank transfer.
My location
As a counsellor in Central Glasgow, I am next door to Central Station. I am also located within easy walking distance from Queen Street Station, as well as the underground stations located in the centre of town, such as Buchanan Street and St. Enoch.
COVID safeguards
Although we are 'moving forward' with regards to the pandemic, I continue to be mindful of the risks, and so my room is set up with this in mind. Whilst still having the opportunity for us to talk together in a meaningful way, seating is safely distanced.
Also, I am open to whatever requirements you may have, such as the wearing of masks before we are seated.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch by e-mail to ask anything at all about how I would approach my work with you.
Click here for my e-mail contact form.
Keeping Your Information Safe
Being the caretaker of confidential data means that I am obliged to follow the guidelines of the Data Protection Act 2018. I am also obliged to register with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office), who are responsible for upholding information rights in the interest of the public.
In most circumstances, everything we talk about is confidential and will never be shared with anybody else outside my room. I will never disclose your identity to anybody else.
However, you need to know that as a professional, by law, in certain circumstances, I would need to inform the authorities if there is a risk of serious harm to either yourself or other/s; or if a court orders me to do so. These are very rare circumstances, and I would do my best to have a conversation with you if need ever arises.
Service Agreement for Linda Hardy's Counselling Service in Glasgow or On-Line
If you are considering booking a service with me, this document provides essential about my service, and outlines details such as privacy or confidentiality. If you have any questions about this document, then please do not hesitate to ask.
Please access the information here
Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
The BACP is the largest Professional Association for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK and is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority. Becoming a member on the Accredited Register involved completing and passing 2-hour exam. I abide by their ethical standards at all times.