Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked Questions about counselling and hypnotherapy
About Therapy
Therapy is a space that unfolds over time. The first few sessions often focus on getting to know each other and building trust. As we go on, we might begin to explore patterns, feelings, and experiences that shape how you see yourself or relate to others. Sometimes this feels emotional, sometimes it’s about insight and understanding – and sometimes it’s simply about being heard. Change can happen in small, steady shifts as we work together. In my counselling sessions (in person or online), therapy unfolds gradually as we build trust and explore what’s been happening for you.
That’s very common. Many people come to therapy not quite knowing what they need, just that something doesn’t feel right. You don’t have to arrive with a clear plan. We’ll start wherever you are. Sometimes just talking things through helps untangle what’s been sitting underneath.
That’s okay. Therapy can bring up strong feelings, especially when we touch on parts of life that have been pushed aside or hidden for a while. I’ll always check in with you and make sure you feel supported. We’ll go at a pace that feels manageable, with space to pause and reflect when needed.
You might notice small changes first where you feel lighter after a session, understanding yourself a bit more, or reacting differently to situations that used to feel difficult. Progress isn’t always linear, but together we’ll reflect on what’s shifting and what still feels stuck. Therapy is as much about awareness and acceptance as it is about change.
I work as an integrative counsellor and hypnotherapist, which means I draw on a blend of approaches to suit your individual needs. My core way of working is person-centred, offering space for you to explore what’s happening in your life and reconnect with your sense of self and what matters most to you. Depending on what feels helpful, I may also include elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), mindfulness, or hypnotherapy. This flexible way of working allows us to explore whatever you bring, whether that’s anxiety, grief, loss, low self-esteem, relationship issues or major life changes in a way that feels supportive and at your pace.
That’s okay it can take time to find the right therapist or approach. Every therapist works differently, and your needs might also have changed since your last experience. You’re welcome to talk about what did or didn’t work before so we can make this experience feel more supportive and relevant for you.
You’re welcome to bring anything that’s on your mind. People often come for counselling to explore anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, stress, relationship worries or life changes such as menopause or loss of identity.. You don’t need to have a clear reason – therapy can also be a space to explore things that feel unclear or overwhelming.
Practical Details
The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. I’ll ask a few gentle questions about what brings you to therapy and what you’re hoping for. There’s no pressure to share everything at once – we go at your pace. You can also ask any questions about how I work.
Sessions are 50 minutes long and usually take place weekly, though this can be flexible depending on your needs.
Counselling sessions range from £55–£65 (depending on location), and hypnotherapy sessions are £70 across all locations. Check out the fees page here
You might notice small changes first where you feel lighter after a session, understanding yourself a bit more, or reacting differently to situations that used to feel difficult. Progress isn’t always linear, but together we’ll reflect on what’s shifting and what still feels stuck. Therapy is as much about awareness and acceptance as it is about change.
Yes I offer a free 20-minute phone call so you can get a sense of whether I’m the right fit for you before booking a full session. It’s also a chance to ask any questions and talk about what you’re looking for.
That depends on what you’d like to explore. Some people come for a few sessions to focus on a specific issue, while others find ongoing therapy helpful for deeper, longer-term work. You’re in control. There’s no commitment or set number of sessions.
Yes, everything we discuss is treated confidentially. The only exceptions are if I have serious concerns about your safety or someone else’s, in line with professional guidelines. I’ll always aim to discuss any concerns with you first where possible. I will go through the limits to confidentiality in the first session.
That’s completely normal. Reaching out takes courage, and it’s okay to feel unsure. My aim is to offer a calm, respectful space where you feel seen and heard without judgment. You don’t need to have everything figured out. We’ll go at your pace.
Just get in touch via my contact form or email me at info@samanthachatertherapy.co.uk to arrange a free call or book your first session. I’ll get back to you within 1–2 working days.
Locations and Ways to Work Together
I offer counselling in Sale (M33) at Thrive Wellbeing Hub, central Altrincham, and Carrington (M31) at The Nebula Centre, as well as online and telephone sessions across the UK. I also offer walk and talk therapy in local green spaces around Altrincham, Sale and Trafford and nearby surrounding areas.
You can learn more about each location here.
Yes I offer home visit counselling within the Trafford area, including Altrincham, Sale and nearby areas. This can be helpful if you’re managing a long-term health condition, mobility difficulties, or anxiety about leaving home.
We’ll discuss what feels most comfortable and practical before arranging your session. Home visits follow the same professional boundaries and confidentiality as in-person or online therapy.
If you’d like to explore home counselling in Altrincham, Sale or surrounding areas, please mention this when you get in touch to check availability.
Walk and talk therapy is counselling that takes place outdoors rather than in a traditional therapy room. We walk side by side at a gentle pace, usually in a local green space around Timperley or Altrincham. Many people find being outside helps them relax and think more clearly. The movement and fresh air can make it easier to talk about things that feel stuck, and nature often brings a sense of calm and perspective.
It’s the same as a regular counselling session – just with the added benefit of being outdoors. We’ll agree a route that feels comfortable for you, and there’s always the option to sit down if you’d prefer. Learn more here about the benefits of Walk and Talk therapy
Most people can benefit from walk and talk therapy, but it’s not the right fit for everyone and that’s completely fine. Some clients love the freedom of being outdoors, while others prefer the privacy and stillness of the therapy room or online sessions.
If mobility, weather, or health issues make walking difficult, we can adapt such as choosing a route with benches, keeping to short paths, or switching to an indoor or online session if needed. What matters most is that you feel comfortable and able to focus on yourself.
Yes many people find online or telephone counselling just as helpful as face-to-face sessions. It can be especially convenient if you’re balancing work, caring responsibilities, or health issues. We meet via Doxy (a secure video platform), and I’ll make sure you feel comfortable before we begin.
Support for Specific Issues
Anxiety can leave you feeling constantly on edge, overthinking, or unable to relax. Counselling offers a calm, private space to slow down and explore what’s happening beneath the surface. Together, we can look at the patterns and pressures that might be keeping anxiety going and find ways to manage it more gently to help you reconnect with a sense of calm and control.
Yes. Grief doesn’t follow a timetable, and everyone’s experience is unique. Whether you’ve lost someone close, a relationship, your health, or a sense of who you are, counselling can give you space to be honest about how it feels without needing to hold it all together. We’ll work gently at your pace, exploring the waves of emotion that come with loss and finding ways to live alongside it.
Major life changes such as menopause, children leaving home, retirement, relationship changes, or health challenges can leave you feeling uncertain or disconnected from yourself. Counselling offers space to make sense of these shifts and reconnect with your identity, confidence, and direction. I work with many people in midlife who are adjusting to new roles or searching for meaning after years of caring for others. My counselling for life transitions offers space to pause, reflect, and rediscover who you are.
Relationships shape so much of how we see ourselves and others. When things feel tense, confusing, or painful, it can leave you feeling lost, unsure, or questioning your worth. You might be struggling in a current relationship, still processing a past one, or noticing patterns that seem to repeat.
Individual relationship counselling offers space to explore what’s been happening not to assign blame or fix others, but to understand your own needs, boundaries, and emotional responses. It’s a place to reflect honestly on how you relate to others and what you want going forward.
Whether you’re navigating a breakup, dealing with people-pleasing patterns, or finding it hard to trust again, counselling can help you reconnect with yourself and build healthier, more fulfilling connections.
Feeling low, flat, or unmotivated can affect every part of your life. You might notice that everyday tasks feel harder, you’re withdrawing from people, or the things you usually enjoy no longer bring pleasure. Low mood can happen after stressful life events, during periods of change, or sometimes without an obvious cause. Counselling provides a safe, supportive space to explore what’s behind these feelings. It’s not about “fixing” you or telling you to cheer up. It’s about understanding what’s happening, finding small ways to feel steadier, and reconnecting with your own sense of hope and motivation.
When your self-esteem has taken a knock, it can affect every part of your life. You might find yourself doubting your decisions, worrying what others think, or feeling like you’re never quite enough, no matter how hard you try. Over time, this can leave you feeling anxious, stuck, or disconnected from who you really are. Self-esteem counselling offers a space to explore where these beliefs and feelings come from. Often, they’ve built up over years, shaped by relationships, early experiences, or the pressures of caring for others and keeping it all together. Therapy helps you gently unpick these patterns and begin to see yourself with more kindness and confidence.
Low confidence can affect your work, relationships, and day-to-day life. You might struggle to speak up, assert yourself, or take on new challenges. It can leave you feeling unsure, anxious, or like you’re constantly holding yourself back.
Counselling offers a safe, supportive space to explore these feelings and understand where they come from. It’s about gently building awareness, self-acceptance, and practical ways to feel more confident in yourself and your choices.
Experiencing trauma whether recently or in the past can leave you feeling anxious, disconnected, or constantly on edge. Trauma can result from many experiences: accidents, loss, abuse, sudden change, or ongoing stress. Even if the event happened years ago, it can still affect your thoughts, feelings, and how you relate to others.
Trauma counselling offers a safe, supportive space to explore your experiences at your own pace. It’s not about forcing you to relive memories, but helping you process what has happened, understand how it affects you now, and find ways to feel more grounded, safe, and in control.
That’s more common than you might think. Many people come to counselling not because of one clear issue, but because something inside feels unsettled or “off track.” Counselling can help you untangle what’s behind that feeling and begin to move forward with more clarity and confidence.
