Frequently Asked Questions 

In which languages are the sessions offered?

Sessions can be offered in Romanian or English, depending on the client's preference.

Working in a bilingual setting can help clients express emotions, personal experiences and difficulties more clearly during the process.

Do you offer online sessions?

Yes. Sessions can be held online by video call, using platforms such as:

•  Psychology Today Sessions
•  Zoom
•  Google Meet
•  WhatsApp Video

The platform is agreed together with the client, depending on preference, availability and level of technological comfort.

Where do face-to-face sessions take place?

Face-to-face sessions take place at the private counselling practice in Dagenham, East London:

61 Grosvenor Road, Dagenham, London, RM8 1NJ

Private parking spaces are available free of charge, subject to availability.

How long does a session last?

The standard duration of a session is 50 minutes.

In certain situations, if availability allows, the session may be extended by a further 30 minutes. Additional time is charged at 50% of the relevant session fee.

Are evening or weekend appointments available?

Yes. Appointments can be arranged during extended hours, including evenings or weekends, subject to availability.

The general contact and booking hours are 10:00–22:00.

How can I book a session?

Appointments can be requested by:

• phone call
• WhatsApp message
• e-mail
• the contact form on the website

For a faster appointment process, it is helpful to briefly mention the reason for your request, the service you are interested in, whether you prefer online or face-to-face sessions, and a few time slots when you are available.

An appointment is reserved after the necessary details have been clarified and the deposit has been paid, in accordance with the booking policy.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is a fundamental principle of professional practice.

The information discussed during sessions is treated with respect for professional confidentiality and data protection regulations.

The activity of Pro Comfort Counselling is carried out in accordance with:

•  UK General Data Protection Regulation – UK GDPR
•  Data Protection Act 2018
•  British Psychological Society – Code of Ethics and Conduct

In what situations can confidentiality be limited?

Confidentiality can only be limited in exceptional situations, strictly defined by law and professional ethics.

These situations may include:

•  serious risk of harm to you or another person
•  risk to a minor or vulnerable person
•  legal obligation to disclose information imposed by authorities

Outside these exceptional situations, the information discussed remains confidential.

How is my data protected?

Personal data is protected through technical and organisational measures in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

These measures may include:

•  password-protected devices
•  secure digital storage
•  restricted access to information
•  use of internal documents and forms under confidentiality conditions
•  internal retention and secure data deletion policies

Further details are available in the Privacy Policy section.

Does Pro Comfort Counselling offer medical services?

No. The services offered are non-medical and do not represent medical treatment, psychiatric intervention or emergency services.

In situations where medical assessment, psychiatric assessment or urgent intervention is required, the client may be referred to appropriate services, such as GP, NHS 111, 999, A&E or other specialised services.

Are clinical diagnoses offered?

No. Pro Comfort Counselling does not provide clinical diagnosis, medical diagnosis or psychiatric diagnosis.

The working process may include psychological formulation, counselling, psychological support, structured psychological assessment and, where relevant, professional psychological opinion. These do not replace medical or psychiatric assessment, or diagnosis provided by specialised clinical services.

What type of difficulties can counselling help with?

Counselling can offer support in situations such as:

•  anxiety and panic attacks
•  depression, low motivation or emotional exhaustion
•  chronic stress
•  relational or family difficulties
•  trauma, loss or separation
•  low self-esteem
•  personal, professional or cultural adjustment difficulties
•  emotional blocks or difficulties in making decisions

Each process is adapted according to the person's history, current context, agreed objectives and available resources.

How do I know if therapy is suitable for me?

Counselling may be suitable when emotional, relational or personal difficulties persist, repeat themselves or begin to affect everyday life, sleep, work, concentration, decisions or professional performance.

It is not necessary to know very clearly from the beginning exactly what type of support you need. The first stage has the role of understanding the situation, clarifying the main needs and establishing whether this type of support is appropriate.

How does the counselling process begin?

The process begins with an initial stage of assessment and clarification, usually structured over a minimum of 4 sessions.

This stage allows:

•  understanding the personal context and the difficulties presented
•  identifying the emotional, cognitive, relational or behavioural patterns involved
•  clarifying therapeutic objectives
•  establishing a realistic direction for the work
•  building a therapeutic working framework

Counselling is not a one-off intervention or an immediate solution, but a structured process adapted to the rhythm and needs of each person.

What happens in the first 4 sessions?

The first sessions are dedicated to understanding the situation and building a clear working foundation.

During this stage, the following may be explored:

•  relevant personal history
•  triggering factors and factors that maintain the difficulty
•  emotional, cognitive and behavioural reactions
•  available personal and relational resources
•  initial objectives of the counselling process

At the end of this stage, the direction of the work may be adjusted according to the needs identified.

Why is an initial minimum of 4 sessions necessary?

A responsible psychological process requires time to understand the situation, formulate it psychologically and establish a coherent direction of intervention.

A single session can offer initial clarification, but it is usually not sufficient for a valid professional assessment of the difficulty and for building an appropriate psychological intervention plan.

The initial 4-session stage allows a more realistic understanding of the problem, the personal context and the possible objectives.

What happens after the first 4 sessions?

After the initial stage, the next step is agreed together. This may include:

•  continuation of the counselling process
•  establishing the frequency of sessions
•  reformulating or adjusting the objectives
•  recommending another direction of support, if necessary

The process remains flexible, but is kept within a clear and structured framework.