Frequently Asked Questions

It is difficult to put a time scale on the number of sessions you may need, hence why I offer an open ended service. As each client/s I see, brings their own varying issues, each uniquely different and meaningful to them. However, in order to be able to get a basic level of support, I tend to suggest a period of 8 weeks (8 hours of therapy).

Prior to the end of that period we, (client/s and therapist), discuss your therapeutic progress and decide whether or not, to bring your therapy to an end - it is always important to plan your ending, as it is an important part of your therapeutic process. Assessing your progress may also mean that you choose to move into long term therapy, which may be several months or years.

Please note: My client/s have complete autonomy, therefore, there is no obligation to remain in therapy if you are not finding it beneficial - you can end your therapy at any given time.

Having these feelings are common for those who wish to start therapy, as you are about to talk about your personal and private thoughts and feelings to someone you have never met before. So yes, this feeling of nervousness can feel quite daunting, but I am not here to judge you, I am here to support you.

While I can appreciate whether or not this may be the right direction for you, there can be many benefits in seeing a private therapist, which includes:

• the autonomy to self-refer

• you get to explore, what kind of therapist and their skillset, you are looking for

• there is no waiting list or having to wait too long for an appointment

• there is no restrictions on the amount of sessions you have, therefore, therapy can be short, or long term

• there is the availability of a 15 minute free consultation, so you can further consider if therapy with me is the right option for you

1. Everything we discuss in therapy is strictly confidential and kept totally between us except in certain circumstances. The only time when I retain the right to break confidentiality is when I consider that the urgency of the situation, requires me to act immediately - which is:

• if you threaten harm to yourself or to another person

• if I believe a child or protected adult is at risk of harm or abuse

• if you share information about a proposed act or involved act of terrorism, money laundering, trafficking, or other harm to the country.

• when I am compelled to do so by law, or the courts instruct me to give information

2. I keep client records (short summaries about what happens in session), therefore, I must adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018), and the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Information can be found at www.ico.org.uk.

3. As a psychotherapist, I am ethically required to have regular supervision, and I may discuss your case within my supervision, but your identity and any identifiable details will never be revealed, as I will abide to the standards for confidentiality and data protection - as to my supervisor.

Due to technological advances, the demand for online counselling (video calling), has grown significantly - reasons could include;

• convenience of scheduling

• comfort of own environment

• non-geographical restrictions

The way it works, is very similar to an in-person appointment, except, you would access your therapy from the comfort of your own home, via your computer, laptop or phone (device).

To have online therapy, you would need

• a comfortable, quiet and private safe space - where you would not be overheard or disrupted

• a computer, laptop, tablet or phone, that has webcam and microphone facilities, so we can both be seen and heard - Please note: therapy can also be just voicecall without us being on camera

• a stable internet connection - so we do not loose connection with one another

• Security - Please ensure that you secure your device and emails against unauthorised viewing by third parties. Therefore, It is recommended that you may wish to use a private device that you own, rather than a work or public device

Please note: our sessions would not be digitally recorded.