What to Expect

WHAT WILL THE FIRST SESSION BE LIKE?

I will offer you an initial 50 minute consultation, which gives us the opportunity to begin to get to know each other, and for you to have a sense of how it is to work with me.

In this first meeting, I’d like to learn what brings you to therapy, what you'd like to gain from it, and any hopes and worries you may have about your past, present, or future. I'd like to know something about your family history and your current situation. At the end of the consultation, if you decide you’d like to continue, we’ll agree to meet for ongoing sessions.

HOW DO FUTURE SESSIONS WORK?

Sessions last for 50 minutes and are arranged at the same time and day of the week, and are usually once, twice or three times a week.

HOW LONG WILL THERAPY LAST?

There isn’t a fixed answer to this question, as it will very much depend on the issues you want to address.

Therapy may last for months or for a number of years, depending on your individual needs and what you are hoping to gain from it. Shorter term therapy may be more appropriate to deal with a specific issue or situation. However, many clients have experienced challenges over many years and value a long-term approach, which gives us the opportunity to work at depth, and for long lasting changes to take hold.

WILL SESSIONS BE CONFIDENTIAL?

Sessions will be in the strictest confidence, subject to the ethics of my profession. An exception to this is that I am obliged by law to report current abuse of children, threats of deliberate harm to life, or threats to commit terrorist acts.

I am required by my professional organisation, the UKCP, to regularly discuss my work with a supervisor, to ensure safe and ethical practice, and to maintain high standards. In these discussions I don’t reveal names or personal details.

Any personal information I hold about you (eg. email address, phone number) is in accordance with GDPR (data protection) legislation.

HOW DO I KNOW YOU ARE AN ACCREDITED PSYCHOTHERAPIST?

I am registered with the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and am an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I am also on the UKCP’s list of registered supervisors. I hold appropriate professional insurance.