Here you can find the answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you have any other questions please feel free to email me or to book a free consultation so you can ask me directly before starting therapy.
Therapy and Sessions
Please click here to read about my therapeutic approach.
Integrating various therapeutic models gives me the possibility to treat a wide variety of issues. To find out more about my approach and the type of issues I can help with, please click here.
Our sessions will be online, so, please find a quiet, private place and get ready for the call. You will need to log in to Zoom and click on the link I will have sent you. Each session lasts 50 minutes. The sessions are not rigidly structured. They can flow like a conversation. It depends on you. You may want to talk about yourself and your issues, in which case I will listen and ask questions to deepen our understanding of your thoughts and emotions. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start, but I can help with questions or activities, like working on a lifeline for example.
I recommend weekly sessions, on a fixed day and time each week. The duration of each session is 50 minutes.
In time limited therapy there is a focus on key issues, during a pre-defined number of sessions when we will work together depending on the nature of your issues. There is usually a minimum of 6 sessions.
Open-ended therapy is an emotional process. It is a space to explore your thoughts and process your feelings. By developing an awareness and understanding of yourself you enable the possibility of change. The therapy is not focused on the symptoms. These improve as a consequence of the process. It is a process without a defined end. When you feel ready to finish therapy, we will agree on the work we need to do to prepare for this.
I will not suddenly terminate the contract, except in exceptional circumstances.
Contrary to what people often think, therapy is not about a psychologist telling you what to do. It is an active collaboration between you and the therapist; you share the work in equal parts. I will not tell you what to do. Sometimes I might suggest exercises or resources to help manage your symptoms or to change how you are behaving. My suggestions will be aimed at helping you to understand more about yourself and find healthier coping strategies and techniques.
Fees, payments and charges
The cost of each session is £130. I do provide a limited number of concession places. Fees will be arranged and agreed before the first session. Payment should be made at the end of each session or you can pay in blocks of sessions.
If session rates are to be increased, you will be notified a month in advance.
If agreed payments are not made on time, we may have to terminate treatment.
If you are late, I will be unable to work beyond the remaining time, as this will disrupt other clients.
If you are not able to attend a session, please give me a minimum of 48 hours notice. If you don’t cancel in advance, and don’t join the meeting I will attempt to contact you by email, text or a phone call. If you do not attend a session you will be charged in full.
Confidentiality and GDPR
Confidentiality will be maintained within the Code of Ethics and legal requirements of the HCPC. Your sessions are private and I will not discuss your matters with anyone unless I have your permission to do so. Confidentiality may be broken only in the following circumstances: if you or others are at serious risk of harm or if I am obliged by law. In such cases, information will be shared with emergency services and/or professionals involved with your care. Wherever possible I will try to notify you first.
All records of personal details and information related to your sessions will be kept in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I do not allow any recordings to be made.
Working online
A few days before our first session I will send you a Zoom link. Please save it, as we will use it for all our meetings.
For online sessions you will need:
- A few minutes before the agreed time to log in to Zoom and join the meeting.
- A quiet and private room, free of intrusions and with access to broadband and/or a phone line
- All other devices turned off
- I recomend the use of headphones during the session to keep confidentiality and improve the quality of sound.
- I also recommend using a laptop, PC or tablet as phone screens may be too small.
- Set your device on a table or surface that allows a clear view of your face and torso and, if possible, without too much light behind you.
If we encounter technical problems we should both log out of the system we are using and attempt to log back in. If this does not work we can continue the session by phone. I will phone you directly on the number you have provided – please ensure you have your phone nearby in case of this eventuality.
I don’t provide an emergency service. In case of an emergency please seek support from your GP, calling 111 for non-urgent support, 999 for urgent support or attend the Accident and Emergency (A&E) service at your local hospital.