FAQs

Whether you're new to therapy, or returning to it, understanding what the next steps are may ease any anxiety. Once you have been in touch, we shall arrange a time and day that suites. The first session can sometimes be referred to as an "initial assessment". This session is commitment-free. You can either decide there and then that you would like to continue working, or take some time to consider. Should we both feel we would like to continue working together, we would then agree to a fixed time to meet on a weekly basis. Consistency and frequency will help build trust and safety. 

This is the chance for us to see if we would work well together and for you to ask any questions you may have about the process. It is also a chance for me to understand your requirements, expectations, and goals for therapy. It often feels different to the other sessions as I will most likely be asking you more questions to further understand your present and past. The first sessions is 50 minutes long and can take place either face-to-face or online.

Sessions are completely within your hands as to what you wish to bring or talk about. If there is something you wish to receive in particular from these sessions, for example homework or experiential exercises, I will gladly do my best to provide for your needs. If I am not able to offer something you wish to receive, we can discuss alternatives that may suit you. Combo

Therapy can be a creative process, and so I like to try and work creatively with it. Therapy is not just about working with feelings and emotions, but it can incorporate thoughts, bodily feelings and imagination too. There is never any expectation for you to work in this way, however if it is something you feel comfortable trying, we can use experiential exercises, such as chair work, and drawings, or we can use objects, such as photos, to try and explore the work on a different level.

It can be a daunting task to choose a therapist. What is most important is who feels right for you. I encourage you to take your time with this decision, as the relationship between you and the therapist is at the core of successful therapy. This is an opportunity for you to model and learn from a new relationship and apply this outside of the therapy space. I recommend you take your time reading through directories and websites, and contact some therapists too. Once you have reached out and arranged an initial assessment with a therapist, this is a great chance for you to understand whether it feels right for you. The choice is completely within your hands and at any time you can end the contract with a therapist.

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It would also be advisable to check whether they are registered members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP). BACP is also registered with the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Registered therapists will be on their respective directories, and should be clearly shown on their website.

Anxiousness around therapy is not uncommon, especially for clients who had never tried it before. It is completely understandable to feel this way and can be expressed to the therapist. If you are able to express what it is in particular you feel anxious about, the therapist can do their best to understand your concerns and see what you need in order to feel more at ease in the session. Again, the initial assessment is an opportunity for you to express your expectations and what you need from therapy.

I have worked with clients from all walks of life. These clients have brought various presenting issues, including stress and anxiety, depression, bereavement, gender and sexuality, identity, feelings of stuckness, overwhelm, low self-esteem and self-confidence, anger management, family, an inability to express their emotions or needs, and many more. Please note, I work with adult clients (18+) only. 

Therapy is completely in your hands, and so you may start and finish however feels right for you. However, with regards to cancelling or missing a session, I ask that you give one weeks notice, otherwise you will be asked to pay the full fee.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance. As mentioned in my Privacy Policy, I will not share any information regarding you, except with my supervisor, who is also bound by the Ethics and Guidelines of the BACP. Any information shared is anonymised and all identifying information removed. There may be times when I have to break confidentiality, such as if requested by law or if I were concerned that you or someone else may come to harm. In these rare circumstances, you will be informed. Confidentiality will be discussed and clarified in the initial assessment. 

Endings are an incredibly important part of the therapeutic work and are an intrinsic human experience. Ending therapy at any time is completely within your control and you should feel comfortable to do so when it feels right for you. If this is the case, I ask that you give some notice, as work around endings can be very powerful, and it is important to bring this to the therapeutic work. Where possible, I ask that an ending session be arranged, as, depending on the length of work together, we may require more than one session to help allow what has been discussed through our work together to settle with you.