What is counselling?

Counselling is a way of talking things through with a trained professional in a safe, confidential space. At its heart, counselling gives you time and support to explore thoughts, feelings and behaviours with someone who’s trained to listen without judgement. It’s a space where you can:

• talk about what’s on your mind
• make sense of difficult emotions
• reflect on patterns in your life
• learn new ways of coping with challenges
• work towards personal goals or changes you’d like to make

Counselling isn’t about being “fixed” instantly; it’s a process of understanding, growth and self‑reflection, tailored to you and your pace.

Before your first session

It’s very common to feel nervous ahead of your first counselling session - many people do. A counsellor’s role is to help put you at ease, explain how things work and give you space to talk about what brought you to counselling.

When you access support from Open Minds, you’ll begin with an initial consultation, where you’ll have the chance to:

• talk about what you’re hoping to get out of counselling
• ask questions about the process
• share any practical needs or preferences for future sessions

This session helps you and your counsellor get on the same page and decide together what support might be most helpful for you going forward.

What happens in a counselling session?

At Open Minds, a typical counselling session is 50 minutes long and is a chance for you to talk about what matters to you: your feelings, experiences, concerns and hopes.

While every session is different because it’s shaped by you, a counsellor may:

• ask open questions to understand what you’re experiencing
• help you identify patterns or triggers in your thoughts and emotions
• offer reflections and insights to support your self‑understanding
• work with you on practical tools or coping strategies if that feels useful

Importantly, you don’t have to “perform” or know exactly what to say. Simply turning up and sharing what’s on your mind is enough.

Building trust and finding the right fit

Counselling works best when you feel you can trust and connect with your counsellor. It’s normal not to feel completely at ease straight away. Trust develops over time as you build a relationship that allows you to speak freely and feel heard.

Open Minds sessions are delivered by experienced trainees and qualified counsellors who are committed to creating a respectful, supportive space. You’re encouraged to share how you’re finding the process along the way.

How often and how long?

Most people attend counselling once a week, but frequency can be shaped around what works best for your schedule and needs. Some people find a few sessions helpful; others choose to continue counselling for longer. There’s no one “right” length - it’s about what supports you.

Open Minds is designed to be flexible and accessible, with no waiting lists, we can offer appointments to fit around you, either online, by telephone or in person.

What you might feel after a counselling session

It’s common to experience a mix of feelings after counselling. Some people feel lighter or more hopeful, while others might feel emotionally tired. Both are a normal part of the process.

Counselling can bring things into focus that you’ve been holding inside, and that can feel both positive and intense.

Your counsellor will support you with this and you can always bring up how you’re feeling at the start of your next session.

Who can access Open Minds

Open Minds is a paid counselling service designed to offer high‑quality mental health support that’s within reach for everyone.

Sessions are £45 each, with an introductory offer of £40 per session available for new bookings made before 30 June 2026 after a free initial consultation.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, stress, loss, relationship challenges, or other life issues, Open Minds creates a space where you can talk, be heard and find ways to move forward.