How do I know if now is the right time to have counselling?

The simple answer is, you don’t. There’s never a right or wrong time. You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out for support. However, if aspects of your current life are challenging or you wish to make a change, this may be the time. Remember that therapy will take commitment and motivation and won’t always feel easy.

Do I need to know what to talk about?

No. Many clients come to therapy without a clear idea of where to start. We’ll take some time to explore what’s important at a pace that works for you.

What if I think I may be neurodivergent?

That’s no problem. You don’t need a diagnosis to work with me. We’ll work together to understand how you’ve experienced the world and what impact that may have had on you.

Will you keep what we discuss confidential?

Yes, in line with professional and ethical guidelines. There are circumstances in which I may need to disclose information to others. I will discuss and share these with you in more detail as we start therapy.

Do I have to discuss my trauma in detail?

No. What you share is completely within your control. We’ll only revisit difficult experiences if and when you feel ready. Our focus will depend on what is going to be most helpful for you.

Price & payment

Sessions are £110. Payment is made online, in advance, via Stripe. Counselling and psychological services are not subject to VAT.

N.B. Missed or cancelled appointments without 24 hours’ notice will be charged in full.

Do you accept health insurance clients?

Yes, I’m registered with Aviva, AXA, WPA and Vitality Health.

Can you keep my GP informed?

I’m happy to provide a brief letter to your GP detailing your current involvement in therapy. However, this isn’t essential if you have self-referred.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation or rescheduling requires 24 hours’ notice. This is because your time slot is reserved exclusively for you. If you cannot attend your session, I’ll always try to offer a suitable alternative time. Where you have not provided 24 hours’ notice of cancellation, the full session fee is payable.

Supervision

All counsellors and therapists adhere to a strict code of ethics, which requires us to meet regularly with an accredited supervisor. The practice of meeting with a supervisor allows me to reflect on my client work and ensures I am held accountable for the quality and delivery of my practice. Clients will remain anonymous in any such discussions.

How many sessions do I need?

This varies depending on your needs and what you’re bringing. There’s no fixed number, and I offer long and short-term therapy. Some people will prefer to work with an open-ended contract, others may wish to work towards a fixed number of sessions. A minimum of 6-12 sessions is suggested to get the most from the process. We can discuss upfront or review as we go.

What happens if I need extra sessions?

I can offer additional, on-demand sessions if there is a particular need, and I have availability. While I cannot guarantee additional sessions, I will do the best I can to be flexible and ensure you feel supported.

What if I need a different type of support?

During our initial consultation, I will take brief details about the difficulties you have been experiencing. If I believe I am not the person best placed to support you and that your needs could be better met elsewhere then I will support you to find appropriate alternative options. Similarly, it may become clear that during our work together, you may benefit from a different type of support and this is something we will discuss together.

Data protection

My practice is fully compliant with GDPR legislation, I am registered with the ICO and I record the minimum level of data necessary to keep track of your therapeutic progress. Please refer to my data privacy policy if you would like additional information.