WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THERAPY

We spend some time agreeing how we’ll work together and what it is that has brought you to counselling.

This first session is a chance for you and I to see if we are a good fit for therapy.

If not, I am very happy to refer you on to colleagues of mine. Finding the right therapist is key to you getting the outcomes you wish for.

I offer therapy on a weekly or fortnightly basis depending on my availability.

This is because better results come from regular therapy.

That’s easy. You do. We only talk about the things you want to talk about and if others things are brought into therapy it is because you have requested them, breath work, guided relaxations.

It can be hard making a start. Feeling comfortable enough to share your thoughts and feelings. We don’t have to rush. We’ll take things at your pace. You don’t need to know what to say. Very few people have all their words and thoughts worked out. I’ll be there alongside you all the way as you work it out for yourself.

No. I invite people to sit where they like best in the space, to move when and if they need, to stare at whatever they like.

You are also welcome to bring things with you that make your feel more comfortable if you like. A favourite blanket, fidget toy.

I also offer a walk and talk counselling service if you prefer which can happen in Stamner Park.

It’s important to me you feel as comfortable as you can be our sessions.

Whilst we can’t predict how your journey with therapy I can know for sure that therapy is rarely linear. In my experience it’s more like a ball of wool that eventually gets a little more untangled.

You may feel like you’re getting somewhere one week and then not the next.

It may take a short or a long time for you to start noticing you are thinking and feeling differently. But if I am doing my job well and we are good fit you should end therapy different to how you began.

I will invite you to our first session so you can get a sense of how it is and for us both to see if we are a good fit for therapeutic work.

If we go ahead we will agree how often we will meet. I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions. I find the best outcomes come from regular sessions but how many is up to you.

I believe it is possible to make significant changes in 6-8 sessions, but therapy isn’t a one size fits all kind of thing. We would review regularly to see when you feel ready to end.

Yes. You are in charge of when therapy ends.

I have found endings can be important to people and so I like to offer one last session to ‘end’ together once you are sure. However, I also realise this isn’t always possible or wanted.

I want to support you to have the ending you need to feel good about your therapy coming to a close.

You can bring your therapy animal if you have one but I’m afraid people aren’t allowed in sessions.

However, if you are 16 or a young adult and wish to have your parent/ carer in the first session or too I’d be open to discussing this further with you.

All therapy sessions are 50mins long and cost £65. I reserve concessionary rate sessions for those who need financial support.

If you require a reduced fee please email me.

I ask people to pay ahead of their session. You can pay weekly or in blocks. It’s up to you what suits you best.

I ask that you pay into my bank account using a reference I will give you.

In principle yes. However, this is dictated by my availability and the wifi coverage the in the places I am working in.

Please know though I am open to working hybrid or swapping our sessions either way if you would like.

Changing our session meeting would need to be agreed and arrange in advance in the prior session.

Yes. Whilst I recognise an individual’s right to make choices in their own life I have chosen to operate a suicide prevention policy in my private work.

What does this mean? It means that if you have an active risk of suicide I will inform your next of kin/ authorities so they can support you outside of our sessions.