In person · Bolton BL1
Face-to-face counselling in Bolton
A private, quiet room at Douglas House on Belmont Road, with free parking nearby.
Visiting the roomOnline Counselling Across the UK
I’m Andrea Long, a BACP-registered counsellor and psychotherapist based in Bolton. I offer online counselling to adults across the UK, giving you space to talk to me directly from somewhere private that works for you.
Online sessions use the same approach, the same 60 minutes and the same £50 fee as sessions in my counselling room.
- Free introductory call
- £50 for 60 minutes
- Adults across the UK
How it works
How online counselling works with me
We meet online at an agreed time, by video, using WhatsApp video or Zoom. The counselling itself is just as it would be in my room in Bolton. Only the setting changes.
What stays the same
- You talk with me, the same counsellor, every time
- Sessions last 60 minutes and cost £50
- The same Transactional Analysis approach
- The same confidentiality, and the same limits I explain at the start
- You go at your own pace, and you don’t need to know what to say
What’s different
- You choose the room you talk from, so privacy matters
- There’s no journey, before or after the session
- We rely on sound, picture and a steady connection
- You may need a few minutes after the session before you return to your day
Getting started
Before and during your first session
BeforeGetting ready
- Send me a WhatsApp message or use the short enquiry form. A sentence is plenty.
- We have a free introductory call to see whether we can work well together.
- We agree a time, and I send you the details for joining.
On the dayYour first session
- We take a few minutes to check we can see and hear each other.
- We get to know each other: what has brought you here and what you’d like from counselling. You don’t need to tell me everything at once.
- We finish on time, with space to talk about how it felt and what happens next.
Your space
Making a private space
Talking from home can feel easier, but only if you can speak freely. The most important thing is somewhere you won’t be interrupted or overheard.
These suggestions may help.
- A room with a doorSomewhere quiet where you won’t be interrupted or overheard.
- Headphones, if you likeThey can help keep the conversation private, though they’re not essential.
- Fewer interruptionsSilencing notifications and letting people at home know you’re busy can help.
- Somewhere comfortableA steady surface for your device, so you’re not holding it.
- Water and tissuesSmall things that can make the hour easier.
- A little time afterwardsA few minutes to yourself before you go back to your day.
Technology
Technology and connection
You don’t need to be good with technology. You’ll probably need a laptop, tablet or phone with a working camera and microphone, and an internet connection that’s steady enough for a call.
Checking sound and picture
We’ll start with a quick check that we can see and hear each other, so neither of us is distracted by it during the session.
If the connection drops
If we lose the connection, we can both try to reconnect.
Choosing a format
Would online counselling suit me?
Neither format is right for everyone. Online counselling suits some people, and others find it easier to meet in person.
It may suit you if…
- you live too far from Bolton to visit regularly
- travelling, childcare or work hours make appointments hard
- you feel more at ease talking from familiar surroundings
- you have a private space where you won’t be overheard
Meeting in person may be better if…
- you can’t find somewhere private to talk at home
- you find it hard to feel connected through a screen
- you’re feeling particularly unwell or distressed at the moment
- you’d simply prefer to be in the room with someone
For general guidance, see the BACP’s information on online and phone counselling.
A first step
Try a conversation first
The free introductory call is a simple way to see how it feels to talk to me, ask anything about online sessions, and decide whether online or in person would suit you better.
Prefer to start with a message? WhatsApp me
- Free introductory call
- No obligation to book
- Sessions are £50 for 60 minutes
Who you’ll be talking to
I’m Andrea Long
I’m a BACP-registered counsellor and psychotherapist (MBACP 414595), based in Bolton. I offer online counselling to adults across the UK, alongside face-to-face sessions at Douglas House.
I work using Transactional Analysis, a talking therapy that explores how your experiences have shaped the way you think, feel and respond. I bring its ideas into sessions when they’re useful, online as in person.
How Transactional Analysis Therapy works · More about Andrea
Other ways to meet
Prefer to meet in person?
Outdoors, by arrangement
Walk and Talk Therapy
Counselling outdoors, side by side, at a location we agree together in advance, weather permitting.
Explore walking sessionsQuestions
Questions about Online Counselling
For general questions about starting counselling, see what to expect.
Can I talk to someone online about my problems?
Yes. Online counselling gives you time to talk with a qualified counsellor about whatever is on your mind, from a private space of your choosing. You don’t need to arrive knowing what to say; we can start with something that happened that day.
Is online counselling as good as face-to-face?
It can work well for many people, and the aims are the same: to be heard and understood in a safe space, without judgement. But it isn’t right for everyone, and some people prefer being in the room. The BACP notes that if you’re feeling particularly unwell, face-to-face support may be better. The introductory call can help you decide.
How much does online counselling cost?
Sessions are £50 for 60 minutes, the same as face-to-face sessions, and the introductory call is free. You can pay by card, bank transfer or cash. I ask for 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel; cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice and missed appointments are charged at £25.
Who can have online counselling with you?
Adults living in the UK. I don’t offer online sessions to people outside the UK.
Can I switch between online and face-to-face sessions?
If you can get to Bolton, you can choose face-to-face counselling at Douglas House instead. If your circumstances change, we can talk about moving between formats.
Is online counselling confidential?
Yes. The same confidentiality and limits apply as in face-to-face counselling, and I’ll explain them at the start. Sessions are not recorded. It also helps to make sure you won’t be overheard where you are.
Is there free online counselling in the UK?
In England, you can often refer yourself to free NHS talking therapies for problems such as anxiety and depression, and some are offered by video or phone. You can find out more on the NHS website.
Getting in touch
Talk to me directly
Send me a WhatsApp message to arrange a free introductory call, and mention that you’re interested in online sessions. A sentence is plenty, and I’ll reply personally.
- £50
- per session, online or in person
- 60 minutes
- for every session
- Free
- introductory call before you decide