Frequently asked questions
Counselling is normally for a shorter amount of time than psychotherapy and often focused on present difficulties. It is space to talk, be listened to, and find new ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
Psychotherapy is usually for a longer period of time than counselling. It offers a more deeply engaged therapeutic relationship along with the same benefits of counselling. With the combined effort of client and therapist it can bring about deeper understanding and awareness of self and others, often exploring unresolved pain from the past.
Transactional Analysis is a type of talking therapy that explores an individual's personality and how this has been shaped by experience- particularly those stemming from childhood and how this affects how we relate to others. I trained in this type of therapy because of how useful, accessible and versatile it is in both short and long term therapy.
When we meet we will make a plan together, based on your individual circumstances.
If you feel I am not the right therapist for you, that is ok; having the right support for you is the most important thing. In the same way, if I feel I am not the right therapist for you, I will be open about this and help point you in the direction of a therapist/service more suitable.
No problem. Just let me know if you no longer wish to continue. In the counselling agreement we sign at the beginning of starting any therapy, I state that I require one sessions notice. That is so we can process and end the therapy well.
My fee is £60 per hour session, or as agreed together. This can be paid in cash or by bank transfer.
No. My main appointments are between 9.15am-2.30pm.
Not at the moment.
I have a 48 hour policy. If you let me know more than 48 hours before that you need to cancel, I will waive the fee. Less than 48 hours is chargeable as I am unlikely to be able to fill the space.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are going to be late. If you are going to be more than 20 minutes late, I reserve the right to cancel the session and the full fee be payable.
Get advice from 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if you need urgent help but it is not an emergency. Call 999 or go to A&E if you feel that you cannot keep yourself safe or have seriously injured yourself.
I follow the UKCP's code of ethics and professional practice, which requires me to keep the confidentiality of my clients and the information they share with me. There are legal and ethical limits of that confidentiality and circumstances where I will disclose confidential to a third party such as my clinical supervisor. It is my responsibility to notify clients of this when entering into the therapy agreement.
I recommend finding a therapist who is registered and/ or accredited by a professional body such as UKCP, BACP, NCPS as this means they have met the standards of training and experience required by that organisation.