Starting therapy can feel daunting and you may be unsure about what to expect or if therapy would be beneficial for you. 

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How can I find out if therapy is right for me?

You can find useful guidance about this from the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) here.

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Why do people come to see you?

People start therapy for all sorts of reasons. 

You might want emotional support to help you through a tough time. Or, you might have a specific issue you need help with, such as anxiety, stress, panic attacks, problems at work, confidence issues, depression, relationship difficulties, or questions around identity, family life, career or purpose.

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You might have noticed unhelpful or destructive patterns in your life or relationships but don't know where to start in changing them.  There might be something in your past you haven't really dealt with and it's becoming hard to ignore.  Sometimes you might not know what's wrong, but feel stuck, isolated, unsatisfied with life, or overwhelmed.  It can be awful not knowing what the problem is.   You don't have to struggle with it alone.  Whatever your reason, I can help. 

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Who do you work with?

I work with individual adults (18+) of all backgrounds and identities.  Unfortunately, I don’t work with families, couples, children or adolescents.

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What does 'integrative' counselling mean?

There are countless therapeutic approaches.  Integrative therapists are trained in a whole range of approaches which we bring together, or integrate, to better fit the therapy to our clients.  It means we’re not stuck working with only one school of thought and can help you explore a problem from many angles, depending on what would be most beneficial to you.  You can learn more about the approaches I draw on here.

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How long are sessions?

50 minutes each week at the same time, day and place.

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Can I have therapy with you on an ad hoc, fortnightly or monthly basis?

No, the way I work is weekly at the same time and day each week.

 

How long will I need to see you?

It depends.  If there’s a discrete issue you want to focus on, such as a bereavement or anxiety around a specific event such as a speaking engagement, then we can agree to short-term therapy (8-12 sessions).  But I usually work with clients in a long-term, open-ended way.  This means that you can look at and work through things at your pace.  You can always stop when you feel ready.

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What areas do you specialise in?

I have a special interest in helping people with anxiety, depression, relationships and work issues.  But I can help with many problems.  Some of the issues I have helped people with include challenges relating to:

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anxiety 

depression

stress

low confidence

relationship issues

loss and bereavement 

not feeling good enough

self doubt

historic trauma

career change

fear of intimacy

self-worth / self-esteem

infertility / fertility issues / IVF

multiracial /multicultural

sexuality issues  

LGBTQIA+

visible and invisible disability

neurodiversity (e.g. ADHD)

work issues

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Are sessions in-person or online?

I offer both.  Usually we would pick one way of working, but if you have particular reasons for needing flexibility we can discuss this upfront and agree a way to make it work (for example, if you travel regularly for your job we might decide to usually work in person but agree to online sessions when you’re away).

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Do you take insurance?

I do not take insurance.

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How much do you charge?

I offer a sliding scale of £79-99 per session.  See Fees for more detail.

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Do you have low-cost or reduced fee options?

As part of my commitment to making long-term therapy accessible, I do sometimes have concessionary places available.  I am currently full so not accepting new clients for concessionary places.

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How can I be sure you can help me?

If our availability matches, we can arrange an initial consultation so we can meet and you can see if you feel comfortable working with me.  If I don’t think I’m best placed to help you I can assist with making a referral to another therapist or service.

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What if I still feel unsure?

It's very normal to have mixed feelings about therapy.  I understand how hard it can be to ask for help.  For many people the thought of starting therapy can be scary or overwhelming.  I encourage you to get in touch and see for yourself.  If you're here then it means part of you is willing to get help and is ready for change.

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Are there any resources you recommend?

Some of the books I recommend include:

 

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. Van Der Kolk

 

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

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The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

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Mindset by Dr Carol S. Dweck

 

How to be an Adult by David Richo

 

Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

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Staring at the Sun by Irvin D. Yalom

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The Intimacy Factor by Pia Mellody

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