How do I pick the right therapist for me?

Firstly, there can be a lot of terminology around therapy which can be quite confusing. You can find a lot of the terminology explained here. Secondly, I believe that the relationship between you and the therapist is one of the most important aspects of therapy. Some people might have had therapy before and they didn’t find it helpful. This might have been because the therapist wasn’t quite right for you in that moment. I offer a free 30 minute consultation, either by phone or in person, so that we can see if we can work together and if I am the right person for you. I also try and be very transparent about the way in which I am working with you. I would never ask you to discuss anything that you weren’t comfortable with, and the sessions will progress at your pace.

How many sessions do I need?

This is quite a tough one to answer, as this depends on individual circumstances and what you might come to therapy for. If the problem that you are coming to therapy for is quite mild, you may only need six sessions. If it is a little more complex, you might need longer term therapy. I offer both long and short term therapy, and as a rule, I review with you every six sessions, so that we can decide if the therapy is helpful and if/how you would like to continue more sessions. We would initially contract for 6 sessions.

How much do you charge?

Face to face appointments are £50 per session. Online sessions are £35 per session. I usually ask for payment in advance of sessions. I do offer a small discount for block booking of sessions. I accept payment by bank transfer/Paypal, cash or card (I have a card machine in my office).

What qualifications do you have?

Qualifications

• Counselling Skills, Level 2, CPCAB, 2015

How will the sessions be structured?

Again, this is hard to answer, as it depends on the individual, and why you are coming to therapy. Generally, I will try and tailor our sessions to be led by you; however often people will need prompting or help staying focused on a certain issue. I can help you with this; some people like to create a list to help them stay focused and get the most out of the sessions. In our first session, I will ask you for an outline of why you are coming to therapy, a general overview of your history in terms of your mental health, and I will go through my therapeutic contract with you.