FAQs : Individuals

What is psychotherapy?

For me psychotherapy is a way of finding out about yourself. How you've become and continue to be you. It's a chance to   experiment with doing things differently -   to think the unthinkable, say the unsayable, if you like, in a relatively safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. The aim is to enhance your awareness of the conscious and unconscious processes that influence the choices you are making all the time. With more clarity about what helps and what limits you, you are more able to effect change if you want to. In this   way the choice to live in a freer, more creative and authentic way can become a real possibility.

What sort of difficulties do you work with?

I like to work holistically so prefer to think of people as individuals rather than sets of particular difficulties. Having said that I find people come to see me for all sorts of reasons. Relationship, family and work problems are common, so are issues around confidence and self-esteem, or dealing with particular emotions like anger or grief. Sometimes people aren't quite sure what makes them want to come so we can work on identifying this more precisely. Others don't have a specific problem, they want to work on, what you might call, personal development.   Though apparently diverse all   these people have one important thing in common - an interest in change .

What happens?

We talk. I don't have a set list of questions. I am usually led by my clients, what interests them here and now. So you talk   about whatever is concerning you. I might comment about what I'm hearing or seeing or ask questions . Sometimes I might suggest we do something different like using art materials, moving around,   playing with objects, visualising or making sounds.

How long does this take?

Each session lasts an hour. They are usually weekly, as far as we can manage, at the same time on the same day each week. How many sessions is a bit of 'piece of string' question -   anything from a few weeks to a few years and everything in between! Ideally we stop when we both agree you are ready. There isn't usually a problem about this and sometimes what happens during the ending can be a particularly valuable part of the work.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes. I use the UKCP's   guidelines on confidentiality. This means that everything that happens in the sessions is confidential to you and I. There are certain exceptional   exceptions to this which I will explain and discuss at our first session.

How much does it cost?

My fee for individual therapy is £40 per session payable in advance.

How do I get started?

Simply contact me and we'll arrange a free initial assessment appointment. This   half hour session   is not therapy as such but   an opportunity for us to meet and find out a little more about each other. I will ask you to outline the sort of issues you might want to bring to therapy and you will be able to ask any questions you might have. There is no charge and no obligation involved of any sort.