Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during the initial consultation?
The very first appointment is a chance for us to get to know each other. I will ask you about the difficulties you’ve been having and what has brought you to therapy. We may spend some time exploring your history and experiences of previous therapy, if you’ve accessed it before. Most importantly we will think together about what you would like to get out of therapy, and what an achievable goal might be for you. During this initial appointment we will also discuss the practicalities of therapy and it will be a chance for you to ask any questions you may have. Therapy is a joint process, and finding the right therapist for you is an important decision. During this appointment we will both be able to develop a sense of whether we will work well together. After this session you may feel happy to proceed and we will book in a regular therapy slot. Or, you may want some time to think about things some more, in which case I will invite you to contact me once you’ve made a decision. If I do not feel that I am the right fit for you, I may suggest alternative options.
How many sessions will I need?
Everybody’s needs are different and there is no one size fits all model for therapy. I usually offer a few initial assessment sessions and after this we can think more about the number of sessions you may need. I offer both short and long term therapy options. For some people, a shorter term intervention such as 8-16 sessions may be enough to achieve a desired outcome. Others may need longer for example 16-30 sessions, and some people may wish continue attending sessions on a longer term or on-going basis. Some therapy models tend to be delivered within a specific time frame and therefore a minimum number of sessions may be required. After the initial assessment phase we will discuss an estimated number of sessions that may realistically be needed in order to achieve your goals. If you are restricted by finances or insurance on the number of sessions you can afford, please let me know at the start so we discuss what might be possible in the time period available to you.
How long are therapy sessions and how often will they be?
Initial consultations & therapy sessions will usually be for 50 minutes each. Occasionally some sessions for specific models of therapy will need to be extended for up to 90 minutes, this will be discussed with you if it is advised. Sessions will be held on a weekly basis at a set time and day. Occasionally alternative frequencies may be advised.
Are there any problems you don’t treat?
If I do not feel I am able to offer the type of support you need I will let you know. At present I do not offer therapy for the following primary difficulties: psychosis related difficulties (for example people who may have received diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder), bipolar, anorexia, severe addiction issues.
What do I need in order to access online therapy?
Accessing therapy in the comfort of your own home or in a location that suits your schedule can make engaging with therapy easier than ever. However there are some important things to consider. It’s important that the online environment emulates the therapy space as much as possible. Therefore, you will need to have a confidential space where you will not be disturbed and where you can sit for an hour without distraction. I advise clients to use headphones in order to protect the confidentiality of the sessions. If you are using your phone then please find somewhere you can prop the phone up so that you are not holding it during the session. Its a good idea to check your internet connection is strong enough to facilitate video sessions. You will need to have a phone or laptop that has a camera. Some people find it uncomfortable to see an image of themselves on the screen during the session. There are often ways of hiding the self view image, or you can cover the image with another window or piece of paper, if this makes you feel more comfortable.
What happens if I need to cancel a session?
Deciding to start therapy can be an anxiety provoking process, and so you can cancel your very first appointment at any time, without incurring a fee. Once you have decided to engage in therapy, your appointment time will be reserved for you in my diary each week, and will not be offered to other clients. Therapy is a commitment and in order to benefit from therapy it is important that you attend your sessions every week. When we start therapy you can let me know of any dates you cannot attend, and these appointments will not be booked. Outside of these agreed dates, if you need to cancel an appointment I ask that you give me 48 hours notice to do so. Appointments cancelled with more than 48 hours notice will not be charged. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged at 50% of the full session fee & those cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged at 100% the full session fee. If you do not attend a session and do not make prior contact to cancel, the full session fee will be charged. If you cannot attend an appointment it may be possible to rearrange the appointment to another day or time instead of cancelling. In these instances I will do my best to offer an alternative appointment. However please be aware that this will be subject to availability and may not always be possible. It is therefore important that when entering therapy you ensure that you are able to commit to attending regular sessions.