FAQ
Do you have availability?
As of the time you are reading this, yes I have availability, no need for waiting lists or referrals. I welcome you to contact me to arrange a session or a free 15-minute introduction call.
What is the first therapy session like?
In the first session we will talk about practicalities such as confidentiality and session timing, etc. Then I will get to know you and begin to understand your challenges. It will be casual and we will have a discussion about where you are and what you have experienced. I will listen to you openly and receive you without judgment. The ‘assessment’ (i.e., getting to know you and your challenges) could last several sessions depending on the issues at hand. Following the assessment we will formulate a tentative idea and hypothesis of what you are experiencing. Then we can discuss goals for working together and I will suggest some methods to achieve those goals according to your preferences.
Can I bring my partner/friend/family member to the first session?
Yes, sure. If that makes you feel more comfortable, we can have the first session together. We will figure out a plan from there.
What do I talk about in therapy?
These sessions are yours to use in a way that you feel is most useful to you at the time. Typically, we will have a check-in on symptoms at the beginning of every session. This sometimes leads to broader discussions about presently relevant challenges. Other times we may limit the check-in and continue working on material from a previous session. Sometimes you might feel you don’t know what to share. In those moments I welcome you to tell me this and we can explore this feeling and options for discussion according to your challenges and goals.
How do I know if I need therapy?
I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy in their lives. It is a dedicated time to check-in with ourselves about our emotions, thoughts, behaviour, and goals. Counselling psychologists are required to engage in personal therapy throughout their training. This experience, and having engaged with therapy prior, has reinforced the belief that therapy can be beneficial for most people at some time in their life.
More specifically, if you feel you could use support to address feelings of anxiety, depression/low mood, stress, isolation, symptoms of trauma, low self-esteem, or relationship challenges, among many other challenges, it could be beneficial to engage with me or another psychologist/therapist.
How often will we meet?
I find it works best when we have sessions on a weekly basis for 4-6 weeks and then we can discuss adjusting frequency from there. However, we can discuss this further in our first sessions.
For how long will I need to be in therapy?
As you can imagine. this is a difficult question to answer without knowing what the concern is. Sometimes people need relatively few sessions, others benefit from the consistency and may come to therapy for months, or even years. We can discuss this further in our first few sessions.
What is the benefit of seeing you over someone else?
I offer a unique combination of formal training, work experience, and life experience from which I can draw to support you. I have been trained to the doctorate level in CBT and person-centred therapy and held an NHS placement in psychodynamic psychotherapy. I also have knowledge of and apply elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Because of my breath and depth of training I am able to utilise these methods and others to specifically support you and your concern. Alongside this, I leverage my years of experience working in this field, my own personal challenges, and work beyond psychology to understand my clients and generate creative and effective approaches.
I further hold expert knowledge in the connections between lifestyle factors (such as physical activity, nutrition, and sleep) and mental health. I have researched this topic exclusively for over four years and have recently published a peer-reviewed article on this relationship. I specifically study how these factors can be integrated into therapy to support people to feel better, for longer.
Most of my clients say they find me easy to talk to and that they feel understood by me, most importantly they feel supported to address their challenges and feel better. I believe I can do the same for you.
How do I pay?
You can conveniently pay by bank transfer or credit card if you prefer.
Do you accept insurance?
I am an approved provider for Aviva, WPA, and Vitality insurance. I also have clients who will self-pay and then be reimbursed by their various insurance providers. I will provide invoices or receipts of payment to aid in these claims.