Christopher Stafford

**Updated 7/6/2024**

Getting started with me: Initial Telephone Consultation Call:

25 Minute Initial Telephone or Video Call Consultation Appointment. Fee: £25.00

This appointment is not therapy session as such, but rather a chance for us to delve into the reasons you're seeking therapy, to address any questions you may have, and for me to learn more about you and the outcomes you hope to achieve by engaging in therapy with me.

During this appointment, I will outline how I can support you in your therapeutic journey based on the issues you present. After our discussion, you may choose to schedule therapy sessions with me, or take time to consider your options. There is no obligation to commence therapy following this consultation call.

Face-to-face therapy is offered at my practice in the centre of Liverpool.

Session Fees:

Individual Counselling/Psychotherapy:

£60.00 to £70.00 per 60-minute session

Couples Counselling/Psychotherapy:

£85.00 to £95.00 per 60-minute session

Trainee counsellors and psychotherapists may qualify for concessionary rates available throughout the year.

Concessions are assessed individually when feasible.

I provide one pro bono session at a time and maintain a waitlist for these sessions.

For inquiries regarding any of the above, please reach out to me directly.

Chris Stafford Counselling and Psychotherapy

(MBACP) BSc (First Class Hons) PG DIP 

Individual Adult, Young Person and Couples Therapist

Feeling overwhelmed by a life that doesn't seem to be genuinely yours can lead to emotional turmoil, manifesting as anxiety and depression. This often creates a relentless cycle of harmful thoughts, leaving you feeling empty, adrift, isolated, and yearning for a different state of being. Being in such a distressing situation can be bewildering and conflicting, making us feel as though we are merely existing rather than living.

Reflecting on our true feelings and thoughts about our experiences can offer profound insights into our character, behaviour, and reactions to life's unpredictability and our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world around us.

As an integrative counsellor, I offer a secure therapeutic environment that is led by the client, working at your pace to assist you in exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a manner that feels right for you. My therapeutic services are delivered with empathy, respect, and an accepting attitude towards you.

My goal is to immerse myself in my client's world to truly understand and empathise with their experiences, thereby finding a path forward that aligns with their chosen direction.

Valuing you is central to my counselling approach, allowing me to genuinely listen and be present with you, honoring the unique experiences you share. I am committed to accompanying you on a deeply personal and sometimes challenging journey, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professionalism required to maintain a safe therapeutic environment where you can explore without fear of judgment or rejection.

No matter what is causing you distress, holding you back, or diminishing the joy in your daily life, I am prepared to listen and understand the sources of your sadness or emptiness, helping you move towards a more serene existence.

Sessions are consistently tailored and personalised.

The human experience can sometimes be painful and lead to a loss of hope. I firmly believe that a space dedicated entirely to you can help you gain a clearer understanding of your feelings and thoughts concerning your life, relationships, emotional challenges, or addictions. This clarity can aid in fully grasping our personal experiences.

Regardless of the platform we use for our counselling sessions, my promise to you is to provide an environment that revolves around your needs. Your time with me is an opportunity to delve into what matters to you, the issues you're facing, and to articulate your personal experiences. I am prepared to listen to the genuine emotions, thoughts, and experiences you bring to our sessions, helping you find a path to the life you desire and the feelings you aspire to have regarding your life and relationships.

I recognise that contemplating counselling can be intimidating, which is why I offer a complimentary introductory phone call to address any queries and help you determine if I am the therapist to support you.

Above all, I am an open, accepting, and amiable person. I am deeply committed to my work and clients.

In my practice, I am an inclusive therapist who actively supports equality, inclusion, and respect for everyone.

It's also significant to note that all my credentials are in Counselling/Psychotherapy.

As a therapist, I am fully insured and registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) to ensure compliance with data storage within my practice. I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and have elevated my core counselling training to a BSc (Hons) level, enabling me to provide a range of therapeutic interventions for an optimal therapy experience.

**Getting started with me as your Counsellor**

To begin, please call or email me to set up an initial phone consultation where we can discuss your therapy needs in greater detail.

This consultation will last 25 minutes and costs £25.00.

**Throughout June, I am providing complimentary 15-minute initial telephone consultation calls for potential new clients interested in attending in person sessions in Liverpool City Centre. This is an ideal opportunity for us to begin to get know each other and for you as an individual, couple or family to decide if I am the person to support you.**

Should you choose to proceed with me, we'll schedule our first counselling session at a time and place that suits us both.

Following this, I'll email you a confirmation of your first appointment, including all necessary details such as location, parking, public transport options, and arrival instructions.

Included in this email will be our counselling contract, which provides detailed information about the counselling process with me. It covers confidentiality, data storage, fees, payment methods, and my cancellation policy. Please read the contract, fill in all the client sections, sign it electronically, and return it to me before our first session. If this isn't feasible, and you opt for face-to-face counselling, we can complete a paper copy together during our first meeting. Should you have any questions about any of these points, feel free to discuss them with me.

In our first session, we'll go over the counselling contract to address any questions you may have. With your informed consent, we'll embark on our therapeutic journey, starting with an exploratory session to understand your life's current state and the issues you wish to address in therapy.

Your counselling is tailored to you, and we'll regularly review our sessions. You have the autonomy to conclude your counselling whenever you deem appropriate.

I eagerly await your response.

Until then, take care of yourself.