Frequently asked questions

Collective Counselling offers online individual counselling, couples counselling and life coaching for adults.

You may find sessions with us helpful if you're experiencing stress, worry, overthinking, low confidence, relationship difficulties, changes in your personal or working life, or the effects of difficult past experiences.

Our sessions are non-clinical and we do not provide diagnosis, medical treatment, crisis intervention or specialist mental health care. Instead, we offer a space where you feel heard and understood, so you can reflect, gain insight into recurring patterns, and work towards personal goals.

If you need urgent or crisis support, please contact the emergency services in your country. You can also find crisis resources and information about specialist mental health support on our Urgent and specialist support page.

The first session gives you an opportunity to meet Jack or Sherry, explain what has brought you to Collective Counselling and discuss what you hope to gain from your sessions, as well as any questions you may have about the service.

We may also start taking a look at some steps that could be implemented to support your personal growth, but you don't need to tell your whole story immediately or arrive with a clearly defined goal. We believe it's important to move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

There is no fixed number of sessions that is right for everyone. Some people want to explore a particular situation over a small number of sessions. Others value having more time to reflect or work through recurring patterns. You can book a 5-session bundle upfront, or decide as you go, you don't have to commit to a predetermined programme.

We will never push you to book more sessions than you think you need. We're here when you need us, but our goal is to support you in developing confidence and independence, not to make you feel reliant on our services.

You do not need to be in crisis or have a diagnosed condition to begin counselling. You may want to talk because you feel stressed, stuck, emotionally drained or uncertain about something in your life. You might also want to understand yourself better, improve communication or give time to a concern before it becomes harder to manage.

Your experience does not need to seem serious to anyone else to be worth discussing. However, specialist or urgent concerns may require a different form of support. Visit our Urgent and specialist support page for crisis resources and information about specialist mental health support.

Yes. You do not need to wait until things feel overwhelming before seeking support. Counselling can also give you regular space to reflect, understand yourself better, work through smaller concerns and notice patterns before they become harder to manage.

This belief is part of why we started Collective Counselling. We want support to feel accessible not only during difficult periods, but also when you simply want to look after your wellbeing, build self-awareness or feel better equipped to handle future challenges.

There is no expectation that you attend indefinitely. You can book sessions when they feel useful to you and pause whenever you feel ready.

Yes. You can book one session without committing to any further appointments.

We offer a 5 session bundle at a discounted rate for anyone who would prefer to book several sessions in advance, however this is completely optional. You are welcome to book individual sessions and decide as you go.

Yes. It's ok to take a break, or end counselling if you feel that it's no longer right for you.

One of our core values is supporting you to develop your own confidence, understanding and independence, so while we'll still be here if you want our support in the future, we don't intend to make you feel dependent on our services.

We will respect your decision and will never pressure you into booking further sessions.

Appointments already booked remain subject to the cancellation and rescheduling terms.

Collective Counselling is not appropriate if you need emergency assistance, crisis intervention, diagnosis, medication, formal psychological assessment or specialist mental-health treatment.

It's also unsuitable where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, current self-harm or suicidal thoughts, abuse or coercive control, or a need for support beyond what we can responsibly provide through an online, non-clinical service.

Visit our Urgent and specialist support page for crisis resources and information about specialist mental health support.

We currently work only with adults aged 18 and over.

Further information appears under When Collective Counselling may not be right for you.

Counselling offers space to explore your feelings, relationships, reactions and experiences. It may suit you when you want to understand what has been happening, make sense of recurring patterns or talk through something difficult.

Life coaching is generally more practical and forward-looking. It may involve clarifying goals, considering choices, developing habits or agreeing on manageable next steps.

There can be some crossover between the two, and when booking with Sherry, sessions may draw on elements of both counselling and coaching where helpful. You don't need to have everything clearly defined before your first session.

Life coaching is not a substitute for counselling, medical care or specialist mental-health support.

You can read Jack and Sherry's profiles and see which you naturally lean towards.

Couples counselling and life coaching are only offered by Sherry, whereas individual counselling can be provided by either Jack or Sherry.

Your preferred session time may also influence your choice. Jack and Sherry offer sessions at different times to provide a more flexible and accessible service.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Not every practitioner will feel right for every person, and it's fine to recognise that a particular working relationship is not for you.

You're always welcome to share any concerns, ask for adjustments, or book with the other practitioner at any time. If you'd prefer to pause or end your sessions, we completely understand. We will respect your decision and will never pressure you into booking more sessions with us.

If you feel that a different type of support would better suit your needs, we may be able to signpost you towards other options. Any suggestions would be made independently, we are not affiliated with other providers and do not receive commission for referrals. Our priority is helping you find support that feels right for you.

An individual counselling session is a one-to-one conversation focused on what feels important to you. You might talk about a current situation, difficult feelings, a relationship, a change in your life or experiences from the past that continue to affect you. The practitioner may listen, ask questions and offer reflections to help you consider the situation from different perspectives.

We work around you. We don't have a rigid script, and you won't be expected to discuss anything you don't want to, or explore something before you feel ready. We can take the conversation at whatever pace you're comfortable with.

No. Many people begin counselling with only a general sense that something feels difficult, confusing or unresolved. You might feel stressed, disconnected or stuck without knowing how to explain why. You can begin with whatever you have been noticing, even if it feels unclear.

The focus may develop gradually as you talk and reflect. Not having the right words at the beginning does not prevent you from starting.

We may suggest small activities for you to try between sessions, however these are not mandatory.

While taking time to reflect between sessions can help you build on what you discussed, we understand that life can be hectic, so any activities we may suggest are always optional. They are not tests, and we won't judge you or make you feel that you have failed if you choose not to do something, or simply don't get around to it.

We encourage you to tell us if something doesn't feel helpful, comfortable, or realistic for you.

Yes. You can use individual counselling to discuss communication, boundaries, trust, conflict, separation or patterns you have noticed in a relationship.

Individual sessions will centre around your own experiences, feelings and choices. Your partner does not need to attend, and the aim is not to assess or speak on their behalf.

If you would prefer to attend sessions together with your partner, couples counselling may be more appropriate.

Couples counselling gives both partners structured time to discuss their relationship with the support of a practitioner.

The first session normally explores what has brought you to counselling, how each person understands the situation and what you would like to discuss. We may help you to slow conversations down, identify recurring communication patterns and give each partner space to speak.

The purpose is not to resolve every difficulty immediately, but to create a calmer, more constructive environment.

Our role is not to decide who is right, declare a winner, or automatically place all responsibility on one partner.

We will aim to understand both perspectives and draw attention to the ways you communicate and respond to one another. This does not mean that harmful, threatening, or controlling behaviour will be treated as an ordinary disagreement, or that both partners will always be considered equally responsible.

Where there are concerns about abuse, coercion or immediate safety, couples counselling may not be appropriate. In these circumstances, we may pause or end the sessions, and signpost you towards more appropriate support.

No. We believe that couples counselling can help to maintain healthy relationships.

Some couples attend because they repeatedly have the same argument, feel less connected or struggle to discuss a particular subject. Others want space to reflect during a change such as moving, marriage, parenthood or a shift in work or family responsibilities.

You do not need to wait until you are considering ending the relationship or until problems feel overwhelming. Even when most parts of the relationship are going well, counselling can provide space to explore smaller concerns, strengthen communication and better understand each other, helping you stay connected and address difficulties before they become harder to manage.

It is common for one partner to feel more certain about couples counselling than the other.

Someone can begin with questions or reservations and does not need to pretend to feel enthusiastic. Both partners must, however, attend voluntarily and be willing to participate respectfully.

Couples counselling is unlikely to be constructive if someone is being pressured to attend, is afraid to speak openly or may face repercussions because of what is discussed.

Yes, you can usually join from separate locations using different devices.

Each person should have a private place to speak, a stable internet connection and enough time to participate without interruption. Headphones may improve privacy and reduce audio problems.

Please let us know before the appointment that you will be joining separately. Neither partner should attend while driving or from somewhere where they cannot speak privately.

Couples counselling can provide structured space to discuss uncertainty about the future of a relationship.

We will not tell you whether to remain together or separate. Sessions may instead help each person explain their position, understand what has led to the current situation and consider the available options more carefully.

Collective Counselling does not provide legal advice, formal mediation, court reports or decisions about parenting or finances.

No. Couples counselling is available to adults in different types and stages of relationship.

You do not need to be married, engaged, living together or planning a particular future. You may be dating, in a long-term partnership, living apart or considering whether the relationship should continue.

Both people must attend voluntarily, and couples counselling must be an appropriate form of support for your circumstances.

Yes. Collective Counselling welcomes LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples.

We aim to respond respectfully to different identities, relationship structures and life experiences. Your sexuality, gender or relationship will not be judged.

We do not claim specialist expertise in every aspect of LGBTQIA+ experience. This does not necessarily mean that we cannot support you, and we may still be able to offer a respectful, non-judgemental space to explore your experiences or relationship. However, we will be open about the limits of our knowledge and discuss this with you if your needs appear to require more specialised support.

Life coaching is practical, forward-looking support focused on personal goals, choices and actions.

It can help you clarify what matters to you, consider what may be getting in the way and break a broad intention into manageable next steps. Subjects might include confidence, routines, motivation, personal direction, decisions or work-life balance.

Life coaching is non-clinical. It does not include diagnosis, medical treatment, crisis support or specialist mental-health care.

A coaching session begins by exploring what you would like to focus on and what feels most relevant at that time.

You and your coach may discuss your priorities, available choices, obstacles and possible next steps. If you agree on an action between sessions, it will be realistic and connected to your own goals.

Your coach may ask questions and offer observations, but the direction of the work and the decisions you make remain yours.

No. You may know that you want something to change without knowing exactly what that change should be.

Part of life coaching can involve identifying what matters to you and turning a broad feeling of uncertainty or being stuck into clearer priorities.

Your goal does not need to be dramatic or life-changing. It can begin as something small or exploratory and become more specific as the sessions develop.

No. Your life coach should not make important personal decisions for you or instruct you how to live.

Your coach may ask questions, help you examine different options and invite you to consider possible consequences. They may also help you identify actions that reflect the direction you have chosen.

The final choices remain yours, and coaching should support your independence rather than create dependence on the coach.

Life coaching is not a mental-health treatment and is not a replacement for counselling, medical care or support from an appropriately qualified professional.

It may be suitable when you are generally managing everyday life and want practical help with goals, habits, decisions or personal direction.

Where serious distress, current self-harm, suicidal thoughts or a diagnosed mental-health condition is the main concern, you should seek support from a GP, regulated healthcare professional or appropriate specialist service. Visit our Urgent and specialist support page for more information.

Your goals can change.

As you reflect, gain new information or experience changes in your circumstances, an original goal may no longer feel relevant. Coaching should not force you to continue working towards something simply because it was discussed earlier.

You and your coach can review what has changed, reconsider your priorities and agree on a new direction, or decide that you no longer need coaching.

No. Career decisions are one possible subject, but life coaching can focus on many parts of everyday life.

You might discuss confidence, habits, personal priorities, motivation, routines, boundaries, relationships, lifestyle changes or balancing different responsibilities.

The focus should relate to a goal or change that matters to you. Where the main concern requires counselling, medical advice or specialist support, coaching may not be the appropriate service.

Online counselling takes place by live video call.

After booking, you will receive confirmation of your appointment and instructions for joining. At the scheduled time, you can connect using a computer, tablet or phone from wherever you feel comfortable.

The session provides dedicated time to talk with Jack or Sherry without travelling to a physical location. Online counselling is not recorded by Collective Counselling.

No. Although online counselling can be convenient, it is not appropriate in every situation.

It may not be suitable if you cannot speak privately, do not have reliable access to the necessary technology, need urgent or specialist support, or are experiencing circumstances that cannot responsibly be supported through a video call.

Your location may also affect whether we can offer sessions. Suitability can be discussed before or during the first appointment. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

You will need a device (computer, tablet or phone) with a working microphone, a reliable internet connection and a space that feels comfortable to you.

Collective Counselling aims to offer online sessions to adults in many countries, but availability cannot be guaranteed in every location.

Whether we can accept a booking may depend on where you and the practitioner are located, local requirements, practical arrangements and whether the service is appropriate for your circumstances.

If you will be attending from outside the UK, please tell us your country before booking so that we can confirm whether we can offer the session.

We normally ask participants to use their camera during online counselling because visual communication forms part of the conversation, however this is not mandatory. If you feel more comfortable with an audio-only session, just let us know before the session, and we'll be happy to accommodate.

If the video call disconnects, first try joining again through the original link. Closing other applications, checking your connection or switching devices may also help. Please contact your practitioner using the details in your booking confirmation if you can't reconnect, and we'll try our best to help you. Please do not continue a sensitive conversation through email.

If there is a technical problem on our end, we will always aim to make up the time. We may offer to reschedule your session, free of charge, or add any time lost to the next session. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

No. Sessions usually take place through Google Meet. You will receive a joining link after booking, and this can be opened using a web browser, such as Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox.

We recommend opening the link shortly before your first appointment so you have time to check your microphone, camera and browser permissions.

We may also be able to arrange sessions via WhatsApp, if that's more convenient for you. If you prefer to use WhatsApp, please inform us before your session. We will require your phone number to call you on WhatsApp.

Collective Counselling welcomes adults from different backgrounds, cultures, identities, beliefs and relationship structures.

We aim to approach each person with respect and without assuming that everyone experiences the world in the same way. You are welcome to tell us about language, identity or communication preferences that are important to you.

We will also be honest where your needs require specialist knowledge or experience that we do not have, and we may be able to signpost you towards services that may suit you better. We are not affiliated with any other services, and we don't receive commission for referrals. Our priority is helping you find the right support.

No. We offer a respectful and non-judgemental setting where you can speak honestly. You do not need to present a polished version of yourself or avoid something because it feels embarrassing, complicated or difficult to explain.

Your practitioner may sometimes ask a challenging question or invite you to consider another perspective, but this will be done with care rather than shame or criticism. You always remain free to say that you are not ready to discuss something.

Yes. Identity, culture and belonging can affect how you understand yourself, relate to other people and experience different parts of your life.

You are welcome to discuss these subjects when they matter to you. You should not be expected to represent an entire community or explain every part of your identity.

We aim to listen openly, avoid assumptions and acknowledge honestly when something falls beyond our knowledge or experience.

We will always consider reasonable adjustments that can be provided through an online service. These might include discussing communication preferences, allowing more processing time or using compatible accessibility features.

Please contact us before booking so that we can understand what you need and confirm what is possible. We cannot guarantee that every requested adjustment can be provided, but we will respond honestly rather than accepting a booking that we cannot accommodate appropriately.

Choose individual counselling, couples counselling or life coaching, then select the practitioner you would like to book with.

The booking page will show the available appointment times, current price and session duration. Before paying, you will be asked to provide the necessary booking information and review the service, cancellation and privacy terms.

Your appointment is confirmed once the booking and payment process has been completed.

Individual counselling costs £20 for a 45-minute online session.

Couples counselling costs £25 for a 1-hour online session.

Life coaching costs £20 for a 45-minute online session.

These are introductory prices and may change in the future. The price shown when you book is the price you will pay for that appointment.

Payment is made online as part of the booking process through Cal ID.

The full price will be shown before you confirm the appointment. Collective Counselling does not receive your complete card details directly where payment is processed by an external payment provider.

Your confirmation email will include the amount paid, the practitioner supplying the session and any relevant cancellation terms.

Yes. You can book a five-session bundle in advance for a lower price per session. The bundle is optional, and you can continue booking individual sessions instead.

The current price of a bundle is £89 for five sessions (£17.80 per session). The price of individual sessions is currently £20 for individual counselling and life coaching, and £25 for couples counselling.

Bundles expire one year after purchase. We will remind you one month before the expiry, to give you time to book any unused sessions.

Yes. You don't have to commit to weekly sessions or a fixed programme.

You can book individual sessions when you would value support. Some people prefer a regular schedule, while others leave more time between appointments.

If consistency would help with what you are discussing, you and your practitioner can consider it together, but the final decision remains yours.

You can cancel sessions for a full refund, or reschedule at no extra charge through Cal ID, provided you give at least 24 hours notice.

If a session is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, and we are able to fill the appointment with another paying booking, we will refund your session, or restore the session to your bundle. If we aren't able to fill the appointment, we are unable to refund or reschedule.

Our cancellation policy does not affect your statutory rights.

For more information, please see our Booking terms and cancellation policy.

We treat what you share during counselling or coaching as private and confidential, subject to limited exceptions. For example, information may need to be disclosed where required by law or where there is a concern of serious and immediate risk of harm to you or another person.

Where possible, we would aim to discuss this concern with you before sharing information, however this may not always be possible.

You are also responsible for joining from somewhere where other people cannot overhear you.

Collective Counselling does not record counselling, couples or life-coaching sessions.

Participants should not record a session, take screenshots or use transcription software without the prior knowledge and written agreement of everyone involved.

We collect only the information reasonably needed to manage enquiries, bookings, payments and sessions.

Payment is made online as part of the booking process. Bookings are managed through Cal ID.

We may take limited notes during the session, which may include a brief description of the general themes or nature of the conversation, plus relevant actions, resources, referrals, or agreed next steps. These will be stored locally on your practitioner's password-protected device, and are not routinely shared between practitioners or with third parties, unless required by law, or in circumstances where there may be a serious, immediate risk of harm to you or others.

For more information, including how long we retain personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.

No. Collective Counselling is not an emergency, crisis or immediate-risk service.

We are unable to provide continuous monitoring, urgent intervention or an immediate response between appointments. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact the emergency services in the country where you are located.

If you are experiencing current suicidal thoughts, self-harm or severe distress, seek prompt support from a GP, regulated healthcare professional or an appropriate local crisis service.

For information, see our Urgent and specialist support page.

No. Jack and Sherry are not psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors or other regulated healthcare professionals.

Collective Counselling does not diagnose mental-health conditions, conduct formal psychological assessments, prescribe medication or advise you to begin, change or stop medication.

We can provide a supportive space for you to explore problems in your every day life, but we cannot provide medical treatment or specialist mental health care.

If you need support with diagnosis, medication, medical treatment or another issue that requires specialist clinical expertise, we recommend speaking with a GP, psychiatrist, or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Having a diagnosed mental health condition does not necessarily mean that you can't also use our service, provided the support you are looking for falls within what we can safely and responsibly offer.

No. Collective Counselling currently provides counselling and life coaching only to people aged 18 and over. We do not accept bookings made for a child or young person, even with permission from a parent or guardian.

If you are seeking support for someone under 18, please contact their GP, school or college support service, local authority services or an appropriately qualified practitioner who works specifically with children and young people.

We will aim to be honest if your needs appear to fall outside the scope of Collective Counselling. This may become clear from an enquiry, during the first session or later as circumstances change. We may decline or end the sessions and suggest the general type of professional or service that may be more appropriate.

We cannot guarantee that another provider will accept a referral, have availability or be suitable for you, but we will not encourage you to continue simply to retain a booking.