Honest answers
What to Expect
From your first enquiry through to your last session — plain-language information about how 4Cs works.
The assessment
Counselling with 4Cs begins with a free assessment, usually by Zoom. If Zoom is not possible for you, we can arrange to meet in person in Norwich.
The assessment lasts about an hour. It is not a test. It is a conversation — an opportunity for us to understand what you're carrying and whether 4Cs is the right fit, and for you to ask questions about how we work.
At the end of the assessment we will let you know whether we can offer you a place. If we can, you will go on our waiting list and will be matched with a counsellor as soon as one is available.
Please note: completing an enquiry form, or even completing an assessment, does not guarantee a counselling place. We are a small charity with limited capacity.
📍 Venue: Online via Zoom, or in person in Norwich
⏱ Duration: Approximately one hour
💷 Cost: Free
What to bring to your assessment
Nothing formal is required. If it helps, you might want to think in advance about:
• What issues you'd like to bring to counselling
• What your availability looks like each week
• Any questions you have for us
"Finding your way through is possible. You don't have to do it alone."
How counselling works
Once matched with a counsellor, you will agree a regular weekly time and stick to it where possible. Sessions last fifty minutes. We work open-endedly — there is no set number of sessions. The length of counselling depends on the person and the issues they bring.
Sessions are currently offered both face to face (Norwich) and online (Zoom or similar). The modality will depend on the counsellor to whom you are matched.
Your counsellor will not give you advice or tell you what to do. They will listen, reflect, and gently help you to understand yourself and your situation more clearly. The work happens in the relationship — in the space created by being genuinely heard.
What it costs
4Cs operates on a suggested donation basis. The suggested donation is £10–£45 per session, payable weekly, usually by bank transfer.
We can accept less if you are not working or in financial difficulty. We will never turn someone away solely because they cannot pay. Please speak honestly about your financial situation at assessment.
Suggested per session: £10–£45
Frequency: Weekly
Payment method: Bank transfer (usually)
If you can't pay: Tell us — we will find a way
What we ask
Commitment and cancellation
Counselling works best when it is consistent. We ask that you commit to attending your weekly session and give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel.
What we ask of you
We ask clients to commit to attending weekly. If you need to cancel, please give your counsellor as much notice as possible — at least 24 hours is ideal.
If sessions are missed without contact and we are unable to reach you, we may offer your slot to someone else from the waiting list. We would always discuss this with you first.
We ask that you let your counsellor know clearly if you wish to end counselling, rather than simply not turning up. This gives both of you a chance to end the work properly.
Confidentiality
What you share in your sessions is confidential. Your counsellor will not share what you say with anyone else — with the following important exceptions:
• If we believe you or another person is at serious risk of harm
• If we are required to by law
• In clinical supervision (in which client details are anonymised)
We take confidentiality seriously. You can read more in our Privacy Notice and Client Agreement.
Questions answered
Common questions
Ready to start?
Complete our short enquiry form and we will be in touch to arrange your free assessment.