FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I really talk about anything?
Yes, it is your time and space to talk about whatever you want however ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ it may feel. I will listen without passing judgement and everything you say is in confidence.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No, you can contact me directly by telephone or email.
What’s the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
These terms can be used interchangeably. Generally the term 'counselling' is used to describe shorter-term, more focused work and ‘psychotherapy’ is for longer-term deeper work.
How long does counselling/therapy take?
There is no standard length of time as everyone is different. It depends on what you want from our time together and what we might discover along the way. You can stay in therapy for as long or as short as you feel is beneficial.
What is the duration of a session?
Individual counselling sessions are 50 minutes long.
Couples counselling sessions last for 75 minutes.
How much does it cost?
Our first meeting is free and gives us the chance to see how we can work together.
Subsequent sessions are £70. For couples the fee is £110.
Would I need to come every week?
For individuals sessions take place weekly - ideally at the same time each week.
Couples sessions take place every two weeks - this gives you both enough time to process each session and practice new ways of being together.
What are the benefits of individual counselling?
Talking to someone who gives you their undivided attention can be a very healing and rewarding process. It can relieve anxiety, depression or stress due to work or relationship issues. It could help you cope with major life changes, such as the break-up of a relationship, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. The process of understanding yourself can help you identify and break out of self-defeating patterns. It can also help you manage extreme reactions such as anger. Therapy can be instrumental in the recovery from physical, sexual or emotional abuse. If you have trouble sleeping, counselling can help your mind slow down a little. As the mind and body are inextricably linked, counselling can also help with physical ailments.
What are the benefits of couples counselling?
Sometimes it is easier for someone who is not so involved to spot unhelpful patterns in your ways of relating. It can help you to share your thoughts and feelings and improve your communication. Having the space to talk through difficult topics and to know that you are in a safe environment to do so, can bring a sense of relief and allow your partner to really ‘hear’ you. This can promote intimacy on many levels. If the relationship has experienced a trauma, such as infidelity, counselling can help to rebuild your trust in each other.
What sort of therapy is it?
I practice Relational Transactional Analysis. It brings together a number of approaches including psychodynamics, cognitive behavioural and humanistic. The vast majority of research has found that the most healing aspect of psychotherapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client.
How am I safeguarded?
I am a registered member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), International Association of Relational Transactional Analysis (IARTA) and European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA).
I honour the Codes of Ethics and follow the professional guidelines of the UKCP, BACP and EATA
I am DBS checked, hold Professional Civil Liability Insurance and attend regular supervision of my case load, which ensures each client’s welfare is carefully considered. Confidentiality is of paramount importance and the only exception to this is if there is a danger of a client causing harm to themselves or someone else.
