What to expect if you are pregnant, caring for a baby or young child, or fitting counselling around work.

You may have thought about counselling and then found yourself wondering: What would I say? What is a session actually like? Can I speak privately with a baby at home...or fit it around work?

You do not need to have the perfect words, a diagnosis or a completely quiet home before you consider counselling. This guide explains how one-to-one online counselling with Parent Perspective works, what you may want to think about, and what questions you can ask before deciding.

What counselling with Parent Perspective involves

Parent Perspective offers individual, one-to-one counselling for adults affected by pregnancy, birth, fertility experiences, or becoming and being a parent. People of all genders, cultures, identities and family structures are welcome. In a session, the focus is on your experience and what matters to you.

Sessions take place by video through Konfidens and last 50 minutes. A video link is sent after booking. My approach is integrative, with a person-centred foundation: we begin with your experience, and I may draw on different ways of working where they seem helpful. Ongoing sessions are usually weekly or fortnightly, as we agree.

You do not need to prepare a speech or know exactly where to start. You might say, “I haven’t felt like myself,” “I’m worried about the birth,” or simply, “I’m not sure what I need.” You can share things at a pace that feels manageable. My intention is to offer a thoughtful, respectful space where you can feel heard; you can tell me if you feel nervous or would like us to slow down.

Could online counselling suit me?

Meeting by video can avoid the journey to an appointment and may make it easier to fit counselling around pregnancy, caring responsibilities or work. It still asks you to set aside 50 minutes and find a place where you can take part as privately and safely as your circumstances allow.

Research into video-based psychotherapy offers encouraging findings. Reviews have reported symptom improvement comparable with in-person therapy in the studies examined, and a later review found no significant difference in client and therapist ratings of the therapeutic relationship. This suggests meaningful work can happen online, though research cannot predict exactly how counselling will feel for you. What matters is whether the format and the relationship feel workable for you.

If you are unsure, the optional 15-minute consultation gives you a chance to meet me and talk about whether online counselling may feel like a good fit. You can also book a full session directly if you already feel ready.

What do I need for a session?

You need an internet-connected device with a camera and microphone, and a place where you can speak as privately as possible. A laptop or tablet on a stable surface can be easier to use than holding a phone, though you can use a phone if that is what you have. You do not need special equipment or a tidy room. Headphones are optional.

Before a session, you might find it useful to:

• Choose the most private place available and close the door if you can.
• Let other people nearby know you need some uninterrupted time, if that is possible.
• Silence notifications and place your device somewhere stable.
• Check your internet connection, camera and sound.
• Use headphones if you find them helpful.

Headphones may make it harder for someone nearby to hear my side of the conversation, but they cannot guarantee privacy. Someone may still hear your voice, and sound can carry between rooms. You choose where to join from, so consider who might overhear you and whether you would feel comfortable with that. I will explain confidentiality and its limits before we begin.

These are practical suggestions, not a test you need to pass. If privacy is difficult to arrange, you can think through the options before deciding.

What if my baby or child is nearby?

If having your baby with you would help you attend, or is what feels right for you, we can talk about it. You may also want to consider the value of having this time set aside just for you, away from the everyday demands of caring for your baby.

If childcare is available, it may give you more space to focus—particularly if your child is mobile and needs your attention. With a young child present, it can be harder to stay with the conversation and use the time for your own reflection. If childcare is difficult to arrange, please let me know so we can talk about what may work for you.

If you think you may need to step away during a session, it is reasonable to ask in advance what to expect and agree how to approach this together. There is no judgement in needing to respond to your child; the practical arrangements should be clear before you begin.

Fitting a session around work

You choose where to join from. If work is the most practical place, consider whether you can use a private room, how easily sound may carry, and whether you are likely to be interrupted. Think about whether you would feel comfortable speaking there and whether you can set aside the full 50 minutes. You may also appreciate a little time afterwards before returning to work or caring responsibilities.

If you are unsure whether a particular space will feel private enough, you can raise that before booking. There is no need to assume that every work setting is the same; consider your own circumstances and who might overhear you.

From considering counselling to your first session

1. Decide what you would like to ask

You do not need to work out whether counselling is “right” for you before making contact. You might want to ask how sessions work, what the first meeting is like, how confidentiality works, or whether your circumstances can be accommodated.

2. Choose a consultation or book a session directly

The free 15-minute consultation is optional. It is for people considering counselling who would like to meet me, ask questions and decide whether we might be a good fit. It is not a counselling session, assessment or crisis service, and there is no obligation to book afterwards.

If you already feel ready, you can book a full counselling session directly. Both options are available through the Konfidens booking page.

3. Prepare for the video session

Once booked, you will receive a Konfidens video link. Check that your device and connection are working and choose the most private place available to you. You do not need to plan what to say. You can start with whatever feels most present for you.

If you have questions about what happens if the video connection fails, or if your child needs your attention during a session, ask about the arrangements before you begin.

4. Decide whether you would like to continue

A full session lasts 50 minutes. If you want ongoing counselling, sessions are usually arranged weekly or fortnightly. You can book a single session or a block of six; you and I can discuss what pace feels appropriate for you.

Fees and practical terms

A single 50-minute session costs £50. A block of six costs £295. Payment is made in advance. A limited number of concessionary places for people receiving benefits may be available; availability is very limited, so ask about current availability if this may be relevant to you.

The current cancellation terms state that if you cancel within 24 hours of your session, the full fee is payable. Please check the Counselling Agreement for the full terms before booking.

Questions you may want to ask

You can use these as a checklist for yourself or bring any of them to the 15-minute consultation:

• What happens in the first full session?
• What if I do not know what to say, or I become upset?
• How do confidentiality and its limits work?
• What could help me find a private place at home or work?
• If my baby or child needs me, what should I expect?
• What happens if the video call disconnects?
• What are the fees, payment and cancellation terms?
• How often might we meet, and can I book one session first?

You do not need to ask every question before deciding. The consultation is one way to explore the practicalities; booking a full session directly is also an option.

A gentle next step

If you are considering counselling and would like to meet me, ask questions and see whether we might be a good fit, you can book the free 15-minute consultation. It is a chance to talk about counselling and the practicalities, not a counselling session.

If you already feel ready to begin, you can use the same booking page to choose a full session. There is no pressure to decide before you have had time to consider what would feel right for you.

Evidence and practical guidance

• BACP: Online and phone counselling
• Norwood, C. et al. (2018). Working alliance and outcome effectiveness in videoconferencing psychotherapy: a systematic review and noninferiority meta-analysis.
• Seuling, P. D. et al. (2024). Therapeutic alliance in videoconferencing psychotherapy compared to psychotherapy in person: a systematic review and meta-analysis.