About Therapy FAQ

Is therapy right for me?

Everyone can benefit from therapy. Mental health challenges such as anxiety or low mood affect us all, regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, sexuality, or any other cultural-based measure. We were never meant to struggle through life alone, without support, to meet an idealised image of strength and perfection – these things simply don’t exist.

If you find having persistent feelings of any of the following, therapy can help: low mood or dark days; anxiety or feeling nervous; an overwhelm or stress from daily life; wishing things could be different; struggling to manage emotions after a significant life event; feelings of worthlessness or low self-esteem; social anxiety preventing you from living a full life; previous trauma that hasn’t been addressed.

You will be heard in an entirely non-judgmental way, with empathy, and respectfully held in high regard by me at all times.

What can I expect at my first session?

We will have a free 20 minute phonecall to answer and queries or worries, and then arrange our first session, where I will be able to find out a bit more about how I can help. We will meet face to face, where I will greet you at our warm and welcoming practice room and invite you to tell me about yourself. For the first ‘intake’ session I will ask you questions and may take notes, but after this sessions will be led by you, and you decide what you want to talk about. If you feel you’ll have trouble knowing what to say we will have a range of ways to help.

Will my sessions be confidential?

Yes absolutely. The only time I will ever share anything you say would be for safeguarding reasons if I believe you or another person is at risk of harm. As all professional therapists do, I am regulated by a supervision process, where I will anonymise any personal identifiable information. For all of my data processes you are designated a client code.

What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Counselling offers a space to really be heard and seen and to have your worries taken seriously. We can talk about anything at all which is causing you concern, and by talking about it we can help make things seem more manageable. You will be heard holistically and with no blame, fault or judgement. I always holf the highest respect and deepest empathy for my clients.

Psychotherapy looks a little more into the cause of some of your problems and ways of being in an entirely non-judgemental way. We call this your ‘life-script’. Some of this may include delving gently into your past and/or considering the way your unique and individual brain works and has been impacted. I will apply theory as well as some neurobiological psycho-ed.

For both counselling and psychotherapy approaches we can use a range of creative interventions if this is something you feel comfortable doing. This can help you access deeper thoughts and feelings which have tried to keep themselves hidden, but which may no longer be serving you well.

What sort of issues can we talk about?

We can help support anything including: Anxiety, low mood, depression, bereavement, relationship issues, life changes such as retirement or empty nesters, divorce, work related stress, parenting concerns, sleep issues, anger, disordered eating, autism ADHD & neurodivergence, long-term illness, health anxiety, fertility problems, LGBTQ+ challenges, menopause, panic attacks, ageing and existentialism, perfectionism, post-natal depression, PTSD, racial identity, prejudice, seasonal affective disorder, self-harm, sex, stress, suicidal thoughts.

However, if you have a current ongoing addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, etc) I would always ask that you seek additional addiction support alongside therapy to address the practical elements of the addiction, to ensure the best holistic outcome.

Are you insured?

Yes I have full Professional Indemnity Insurance up to the value of £5million

Do you keep my data?

I am an ICO registered data controller and follow all GDPR regulations. Your data is immediately coded and anonymised.

How are you regulated?

I am a member of the BACP and strictly follow their ethical guidelines and procedures. I have full DBS clearance.