Online | JeliRose Counselling

Online Therapy

Since the pandemic many therapy services moved online, which has many benefits. It eliminates the time, energy, and cost to travel to and from the counselling room. It can also feel a lot more comfortable for some people, as they don't have to leave the safety of there own home.
Obviously this also poses risks, which is why, if we work together in this way, I will work carefully with you to close the session and check that you have a plan to leave the work that we have just done. It can be difficult, if you have just opened up about something, to be left alone, in your home. You may find it useful following a session to: close your laptop, get up from one chair and sit in another, have a little dance, go for a short walk, or to make a cup of tea. Whatever works best to allow you to leave "counselling mode" and continue your day.

Do I need to be able to walk far?

Do I need to be able to walk far?No, this service is available for anyone, regardless of ability. If you want to walk, we can walk, and I will match your pace. No, this service is available for anyone, regardless of ability! If you want to walk, we can walk, and I will match your pace. If you want to sit, then we can find a bench to sit and talk on. If you want to run, jump, or dance, you are more than welcome to... though I cannot promise that I will be able to keep up.
Where does outdoor therapy take place?

I use regular walking routes along the River Trent, which are fully paved and wheelchair accessible. One side of the river has a number of benches, where we can sit and talk (or rest and reflect), while the other has more rural routes, which we can explore, if you are feeling adventurous.
Where do we meet?

I will discuss with you where we will meet.
Is there parking close by?

Yes, there are a number of car parks operated by the council, which are free to park in for an hour. They can be found on the map below.
Can I bring my pets and/or kids?

While pets and/or children can be therapeutic, they can also be unpredictable, so I would advise against it. If you wish to continue walking these routes with your family/friends/pets/stuffed animals outside of sessions, I would welcome you to do so. But it can be really difficult, when you are in the middle of a big feeling or recounting a traumatic memory, to be interrupted by having to pick up after a dog or tend to a bruised knee. I appreciate that life can get in the way of plans though, so if you find yourself without someone to watch your child, or your pet, please discuss this with me as soon as possible and we can come to an agreement.
What if it is raining?

I am happy to work in almost any weather, and will always try to honour our session. In the rare event that I do not feel safe to work outdoors, I will contact you as early as possible to reschedule. Not everyone is comfortable with wind, rain or snow, so if you would rather meet online, we can arrange for an online session instead, alternatively we can reschedule entirely.
How does confidentiality work outdoors?

This is a tricky question. While I cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality, due to the nature of being in a public place. The routes that I use are often clear, or see limited dogwalkers. The small bits of our conversation that may be heard by these passer-by's, are unlikely to be remembered, think about all the times that you have overheard a conversation of a person walking by, do you remember what it was about? Having said this, I will take your lead. If you want to stop the conversation for a moment, while someone walks by, I will join you, and wont keep talking. Please feel free to discuss your thoughts and feelings about this process with me at any point before or during our work together.
What if I see someone that I know?

On the very rare occasion that we walk past a friend, family member or colleague, it is up to you how we treat this scenario. I would encourage you to smile and continue walking, or to be honest about our relationship, though I appreciate that this is not always comfortable or safe. We can discuss this before our session and unless previously agreed, I will always try to remain in the conversation If I see someone that I know, I will continue walking with you, with as little interruption as possible.
I am interested in creative therapy, can I do this outdoors?

Absolutely! If working in this way interests you please let me know and we can explore options available to you; this might include bringing your own tools for creativity (pens, paper, toys, etc.), or I can bring a bag of things to work with, alternatively we can work with things that we find around us, sticks and leaves etc.