FAQ

Some of the basic differences are:

• Psychotherapist:   A Psychotherapist can be trained in a variety of theoretical approaches to help you have a deeper understanding of yourself and support you to process your emotions.  Psychotherapy tends to be a longer term form of therapy due to the depth of exploration.

• Counsellor:  A Counsellor can help you to explore similar areas to a Psychotherapist; however, the depth of exploration and length of therapy may be different.  A Psychotherapist may also describe themselves as a Counsellor.

• CBT:  Cognitive Behavioural Therapist also helps you understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviours regarding your mental health.  They will then support you to identify the changes you could make to help improve your mental health.  CBT is a structured/evident based approach which focuses on managing and maintaining change.

• Psychiatrist:  A medical doctor who is specialised in mental health and licenced to diagnose, prescribe and treat mental health conditions.

• I am a registered and Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist.  I am a trauma informed practitioner and offer an Integrative approach.  This form of therapy draws on techniques from my additional training to tailor an approach specifically for you.  It can have many benefits because its so personalised and offers well-rounded support.

• I also offer 2 specific forms of therapy, and these are Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy / Learning.  These forms of therapy have shown many benefits to clients who have experienced traumatic experiences.

• Click here to visit the "Therapy Services" page.

• You've made it here and that is a good enough reason.  You may be at a point where you've recognised there are areas in your life that needs to change, and to do that some additional support to work on this is needed. 

• A common misconception for many is that to access therapy we need to be really struggling with our mental health.  However, it can also be used as a preventative form of healthcare. Talking through an issue, no matter how insignificant it may feel, can help people before they reach a crisis point.

• We do not always need a big life event and/or trauma to access therapy.  Just wanting to understand and explore yourself in more depth is also a completely valid reason to want to start therapy.

• Searching for a therapist can be an overwhelming process, so finding the 'right' therapist can feel a difficult task.  This is why I believe it is important to 'touch base' with your potential therapist first.  This gives an opportunity to ask any questions you need to make an informed choice, discuss what you want to bring to therapy, as well as seeing if the therapist feels to 'fit' - you will know if it doesn't feel right!

• Please also visit the "About me" section if you want to know a little bit about me before this.

• Book in a free, 20 minute non-obligation online or telephone consultation here 

• It is really normal to feel a bit anxious when attending your first session, and I will always make sure we go at your pace.

• We will spend the time going over what has brought you to therapy and how you feel this is currently impacting on you / your life.  We will also explore your goals for therapy, so we are constantly working towards these throughout your sessions.

• You may also have a few further questions from our consultation that you would like to ask, which I'll always do my best to answer.

• This answer is completely individual to the person and what they want to work on.  The benefit of having private therapy is that it can be open ended and have no limits on time.  However, I also appreciate this does come at a financial cost and this isn't going to be accessible for everyone.

• I would recommend having a minimum of 6 sessions, which is the usual amount offered by most mental health services.  We review therapy throughout our time together and when you feel ready we will start working towards an ending.  

• I am only too aware there may be a need to cancel appointments, and I will try to be as flexible as I can to accommodate.  Unfortunately if you are unable to attend and give less than 48 hours notice  the cancelled appointment is charged at full price.

• If through illness you are unable to attend I will aim to find an alternative appointment within the same calendar week, unfortunately your preferred choice may not be available, e.g. video or phone appointment offered instead of in person appointment.

• Confidentiality is crucial to therapy and the work that we do.  Anything you discuss with me is not shared outside of therapy, with the exception of my supervisor.  All practising therapists are required to have supervision,  it is an ethical requirement by my professional body (BACP).   Supervision is a space where I will take my clinical work to explore the process of my clinical work, and to ensure I am practising ethically and safely.  Supervision is not only supportive for the therapist it is crucial to the continued provision of effective therapy and the therapists continued developmental growth.  

• We also have a duty of care to extend confidentially if we believe there is a risk of harm towards yourself or others.  However, this will be discussed with you first and you will be part of the decision making  process.

• Your privacy is very important to me and you can be confident that your personal information will be kept safe and secure and will only be used for the purpose it was given to me.

• I adhere to current data protections legislation, including the General Data Protection /regulation (EU/2016679)(the GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.

• Click here to see my full privacy notice which tells you what I will do with your personal information from initial point of contact through to after your therapy has ended.