How do I get started?
There are a couple of ways you can get started. If there is a specific counsellor that you would like to see you can contact them directly by email. The contact details for each of our counsellors are available on the About Us page under each counsellors profile.
Alternatively, if you do not have a particular counsellor in mind, you can contact us by email on hello@lpg.scot
We will then get back to you to discuss what it is you are looking for from counselling and to arrange a date and time for a first session.
We also have an online booking facility, this allows you to view each counsellors’ availability as well as to book and pay for sessions. If you book online your counsellor will get in contact with you to confirm the date and time of your session.
How much will it cost?
Online and Telephone sessions costs will differ depending on counsellor chosen. Currently sessions are £60 Laura, £55 Paul and Gavin. In-Person sessions with Gavin cost £60. All sessions last for 50 minutes.
Why does In-Person cost more?
In-Person sessions have a higher price point as there are significantly more costs involved in offering this type of service and are deemed to be a premium service. The increased price is not a reflection of the quality of the service provided.
I cannot find an In-Person option, where can I find this?
Not all counsellors may offer this type of counselling provision: if this service is offered by the counsellor it will appear on their booking page.
Where do I go?
We currently practice remotely and from two offices:
・If you book an in person session with Gavin your session will be held at Studio 70, 70 Victoria Rd, Glasgow G42 7AA.
・If you book an in person session with Paul your session can be held at Studio 70 or at Waterside Counselling, 30 Gordon St, Paisley PA1 1XA
Please note all sessions with Laura will be held remotely until further notice.
Do you use any other video chat platforms for online counselling?
We only use Zoom for online counselling. After much research, we found that Zoom offers the most secure experience. Some platforms are simply not suitable because they don’t offer the confidentiality needed for counselling. However, if you do wish to explore the use of an alternative platform please e-mail us at hello@lpg.scot.
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a talking therapy that involves meeting with a trained therapist and talking about those issues in life that are causing you distress or difficulty. Underpinning this is the idea that if we take the time to really explore what is going on for us we can find ways to get through any issues we are facing and grow from that experience.
There are many different kinds of talking therapies; at LPG Counselling we use the Person Centred Approach. If you would like to read more about this approach a short introduction can be found in our blog.
When/why might someone want to see a Counsellor?
There are many reasons why someone might feel they want to see a counsellor. If you feel that something is impacting on your mental health, whether that is a current situation, something from your past or something in the future; if you are unhappy with your life or within yourself; or you are struggling to achieve your goals. All of these would be situations in which you might benefit from seeing a counsellor
A counsellor will help you to explore your experience, to get deep down into the thoughts feelings and emotions that are causing you distress or difficulty. By helping you to increase both your self-awareness and self-acceptance, this will facilitate you to process and finding workable solutions, where required, to the issues that brought you to counselling and promote personal growth, helping you in future situations.
How long will Counselling last?
Counselling can last for as long as you the client want it to last. There is no set number of sessions required; some clients feel they have achieved what they wanted from counselling after only a few sessions, other clients may feel they require counselling to last far longer, sometimes years.
How long counselling will last is wholly dependent on what you the client want from counselling and how long you feel that it is of benefit to you. If at any point you wish to end the counselling relationship you can let your counsellor know and they will respect your decision. However, your counsellor may ask you to come in for one last session to allow for a well-managed ending.
Do you keep notes?
Yes, we keep notes which we hold for 6 years. After this period all notes are either destroyed or anonymised.
Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.
Does everybody/nobody need Counselling?
It is not uncommon to hear either of these views expressed; that everybody really needs counselling or that nobody really needs counselling. The answer, though, lies between the two.
Many of us, as we go through life, will be in a position where we feel we could benefit from the kind of help that counselling has to offer. Some may attend sessions for a few weeks/months, resolve those issues that brought them to see their counsellor and never feel the need to seek counselling again. Others may choose to make regular counselling an ongoing part of their life. And, still others may never feel the need to attend counselling.
There is nothing wrong with needing counselling; there is nothing wrong with not needing counselling.
I’m feeling suicidal - what can I do?
If you are experiencing thoughts about self-harm or suicide our counsellors can help you explore and work to get past these feelings.
However, if you feel that you are currently at risk of harming yourself please do not wait for your appointment to speak to someone. The three services listed below each offer a free to call helpline where you can discuss these feelings confidentially with a trained helpline advisor.
Samaritans: Call: 116 123 | Email: jo@samaritans.org
Breathing Space: Call: 0800 83 85 87 | breathingspace.scot
HopelineUK (for under 35s): Call: 0800 068 4141 | Text: 07786209697