Frequently asked questions.

Questions answered plainly...

Do I need a diagnosis to have counselling?

No. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to have counselling.

People come to counselling for many different reasons, and you don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to benefit from support. You may be experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem or simply finding life difficult to manage at the moment.

At mentality & beyond, we believe that if something is affecting your wellbeing, you deserve a safe space to talk about it. You don’t need to justify how you’re feeling or wait until things get worse before asking for support.

What happens in my first counselling session?

Your first session is an opportunity to get to know your counsellor and talk about what has brought you to counselling.

You'll spend some time going through the counselling contract and taking some initial details. The remainder of the session will focus on what you would like to achieve from counselling, what you’d like to work on and how you can work together.

There’s no pressure to have everything figured out before your first session; we’ll take it at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

How long will I need therapy for?

Therapy is person-centred and led by you, so there is no fixed number of sessions. We’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, and therapy can continue for as long as you feel it is helpful. There’s no pressure to finish by a certain date.

How do I know if counselling is right for me?

Counselling isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. At mentality & beyond, we adapt our approach to suit your individual needs and what feels right for you.

You’ll have regular reviews with your counsellor to check in on how you’re finding the process and whether counselling continues to feel helpful. If you decide that counselling isn’t right for you, that’s okay too. There’s no pressure to continue.

Is everything I say confidential?

Yes. What you share with your counsellor is treated as confidential and discussed privately. There are a small number of legal and ethical exceptions, such as concerns about serious risk to your safety or someone else’s safety. These will be explained clearly during your first session, so you’ll understand when confidentiality may need to be broken.

What if I need to cancel?

We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment. This allows us to offer the session to someone else and means you’ll be eligible for a refund.

Life happens, so if you need to rearrange your appointment, please just let us know. We’d much rather help you find another time that works for you than have you feel you need to stop therapy altogether.

What happens if I don't know what to talk about?

It’s completely normal to come to counselling and not know where to start. You might find it difficult to put your feelings into words, understand why you feel the way you do, or feel uncomfortable opening up to someone about things you’ve never spoken about before. That’s okay. You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out.

We’ll work at your pace and, where helpful, use a range of techniques to gently encourage conversation and help you explore what’s going on for you. We provide a confidential, safe and supportive environment where you can take your time.

You might be surprised at how the words begin to come once you feel comfortable. But it might not happen in your first session, or even your first few sessions, and that’s okay too. Building a therapeutic relationship takes time, and that relationship is at the heart of the counselling process.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No. You can contact us directly for counselling in Pontefract or online, and we can usually offer a first appointment within one to two weeks.

What is person-centred counselling?

Person-centred counselling is an approach that puts you at the centre of the therapy. Rather than being told what to do, your counsellor will listen, help you explore what you’re experiencing and support you in finding your own way forward.

There’s no judgement and no pressure to talk about anything before you’re ready. Your counsellor will work alongside you, at a pace that feels right for you.

If you’d like to learn more about person-centred counselling, you can read more from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) here: BACP – Person-centred counselling

What is integrative counselling?

Integrative counselling brings together different counselling approaches and techniques, allowing your counsellor to adapt the way they work to you as an individual.

Rather than using one approach in exactly the same way with everyone, your counsellor will consider your needs, experiences and what you want to achieve from counselling. This can help create a more flexible and personalised approach to therapy, while always working at a pace that feels right for you.