FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Some of the things you may be wondering about when deciding to work with me.
I am considering therapy, but I am not certain about what approach may be best.
If you are considering therapy but you are uncertain of the methods and results, please do contact me about your presenting issues and any questions you may have concerning therapy.
When we start working together, our first session will be an initial consultation. I will deeply explore your current issues with you, enquire about your background and work to establish which type of therapy I think would be most suited to you. I will assess your specific needs and we can set goals for treatment. I will also explain more extensively how I work and you will have the chance to ask questions to decide whether you would like to start therapy with me.
We will also discuss the options available to you, from long-term therapy to short-term counselling. From our conversation I will help you to understand which type of treatment would suit you the most. The aim is for you to leave the room with a clear idea of what you can expect from our work together.
What will a therapy session be like?
Going to therapy for the first time can feel daunting. You might feel afraid or worried that you will be pushed to say more than you want to. Perhaps you are wondering how a ‘stranger’ might help or maybe you feel disloyal that you are not sharing information with those closest to you. It is not unusual for clients to at first feel undecided whether therapy is really for them or not.
Before you start therapy, we will be clear on what you hope to get out of it. The success of therapy very much depends on the honesty and safety of the therapeutic relationship. This will support you in gradually extending and stretching outside your current understandings, as well as to probe and focus within yourself.
I will help you do this by reflecting what I notice, asking you more about your experience and offering a non-judgemental space where you can really come to know yourself more deeply. This knowledge will help you see the obstacles (which you yourself or others may be putting up) so that you can work through problems more easily.
How you see the world and your difficulties will be the starting point. As you become more honest, and more attuned with yourself, a broader array of possibilities becomes more visible. This means that we first need to deeply understand where you are at now. This clarity brings wisdom to know how to live more fully and with a deeper purpose and sense of who you are.
How often will I need to attend?
I usually see my individual clients once a week for 50 minutes. I am flexible and can accommodate my clients’ needs; depending on your schedule we may want to meet more or less frequently than this (if clinically appropriate), or you may sometimes want to come for longer sessions.
The type, frequency and duration of your treatment will be discussed at the initial consultation and will be revisited in due course. I also offer sessions via Skype and Zoom. This is something that we would also discuss during our initial consultation.
I strive to meet my clients at the same day and time every week. It is very important to attend therapy with regularity in order to get results; protecting some space in your diary makes this easier to achieve.
While it is important to attend regular weekly sessions, I understand that may be times when this is not possible and I am happy to be flexible and find alternate times with you.
What kind of clients do you have?
I work with adults; individually, as a couple or in a group. My clients come from a range of different backgrounds and are also diverse in culture, ethnicity and sexuality.
They bring an array of life’s difficulties in love, at work and at home as well as internal struggles such as anxiety, depression and lack of self-esteem.
Some clients want to concentrate on current problems they are struggling to resolve on their own; and others have realised that the same old problems repeat and cycle in very familiar and destructive patterns.
Some clients require therapy for just a few sessions to help them through a difficult time; while others want to work longer term to tackle more deep rooted difficulties and unconscious processes.
Can I arrange sessions with you via my health insurance provider?
I am an approved provider with Aviva, Axa, Vitality Health and WPA private health insurance companies. Please contact me for more details. (can we have contact me as a hyperlink to either an email to me or the contact form)
Are sessions confidential?
As an accredited UKCP Psychotherapist and a Member of BACP, I work with and to a high standard of confidentiality. Confidentiality is a fundamental element within the therapy work and provides you with a safe and private space to talk.
I will not disclose information to your doctor or anyone else without your permission. The only time at which I might need to break confidentiality is if there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, and where required by law.
Who are the BACP and UKCP?
The UKCP is the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy and BACP refers to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
They are professional bodies established to ensure that its members adhere to Ethical Codes of Practice and continuously refine and update their professional development. Feel free to visit their websites to understand a little more about the codes of practice to which I adhere.
What should I do if I feel ready to end therapy or do not think this is working for me?
I’d invite you to bring this to the session so that we can discuss. From there, we will arrange an ‘ending’ session. You can choose to stop at any time.
However, for the most effective and updating therapeutic process, it is preferable to give notice and to work towards an ending rather than end abruptly.