FAQs

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?

You will find my current rates and related policies on my fees page. Please email me if you need any additional information related to my charges.

 

HOW OFTEN WILL WE MEET?

Typically I meet clients weekly, usually on the same day at the same time. This is what the evidence suggests works best. Other considerations are about ethics and the quality of the services I provide.

Therapy and coaching are both collaborative processes underpinned by relational depth. Something I bear in mind is if I were to see clients fortnightly then I would be doubling the number of these relationships and the number of clients who I hold with honour and care. The number of clients I see is finely balanced to maintain my ethical practice and personal wellbeing.

Flexibility

I do understand you may be restricted by your financial circumstances and I do aim to offer flexibility if my caseload allows, so please do raise this issue with me; I will be happy to talk about your individual circumstances and needs and my view is always informed by my experience and ethical practice.

 

HOW LONG DO SESSIONS LAST?

Following our first session which lasts 75 minutes, regular sessions last for 60 minutes.

 

HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE?

This will depend on many factors; your story, how long have you been experiencing your issues, how long the problem has existed, how challenging it is for you to engage in the process, to name a few. It isn’t possible to predict the timescale, for some clients it’s two to three months and for some it takes one to two years, it may be anything in between.

As we work together we will have plenty of opportunity to reflect on your therapy journey and your readiness to end. Working ethically, I always hold in mind that therapy needs to be of benefit for you.

I don’t work on the basis of quick fixes but on the basis that sustainable change takes the time and effort it takes and this is determined by your unique needs.

 

DOES THERAPY WORK?

The evidence suggest that most people find therapy helpful but it isn’t always helpful for everybody.

We know the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist has a major impact on the effectiveness of therapy; this is regardless of the approach or model of therapy provided.

 

YOU ARE A THERAPIST AND COACH, WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME?

This is something we will explore together, usually in our first session, and will be determined by your needs. If you want to learn more please read my Therapy & Coaching page where I have described my approaches.

 

WHAT KIND OF THERAPY DO YOU PROVIDE?

I am what is called an integrative psychotherapist. My way of working pays close attention to our relationship and is informed by several different approaches from psychotherapy which include:

• Humanistic psychology and philosophy as well as existential approaches
• Contemporary psychoanalytic theories which include attachment and self-psychology
• Third wave CBT approaches including metacognitive therapy, compassion focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy
• Positive psychology

In addition, research from neuroscience, neurobiology, and other psychology inform my practice.

 

WHAT WILL THERAPY LOOK LIKE?

Beginning

We will be getting to know each other and building rapport and trust. You will be sharing your story with me and telling me what you think and feel about this.

I will be learning how you have adapted to your experiences, how you feel about yourself and your attitude towards yourself; any patterns will surface.

Middle

In these sessions you will be gaining insights, learning and practicing skills, expressing your thoughts and feelings, and more. This enables you to make progress and experience progress leading to long term change. Together we will explore and discover different ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. I will guide you and support you to engage in the process of therapy.

Your progress is directly related to your level of commitment to doing the work outside of sessions. This will include taking time to actively reflect on our sessions, thinking about insights, experimenting with practices we explore, and doing homework we think may be helpful. You are also responsible for preparing for sessions. This may include feedback about your reflections and bringing material to be explored generated by your thoughts and feelings which have surfaced between sessions.

Ending

When the changes you are seeking are taking root we will talk about ending and this can be phased over a short period of less frequent sessions. We will determine how you will maintain your good work and anticipate how you will tackle any bumps you may experience in the future.

Ending is bitter-sweet, we will be saying goodbye and this isn’t something people typically do in the context of a good relationship. It’s a time to honour and celebrate your journey.

 

WHAT DOES COACHING LOOK LIKE?

Beginning

We will clearly establish the change you are wanting, the anticipated outcome, the goals to be met, your strengths, and what support is going to best suit you. Like therapy our relationship will be a determining factor in your success; you can expect it to take a little while for us to get to know each other. You will be telling me your story and we will see your goals within the context of your personal and working life.

Middle

While keeping your desired outcome in mind, we will delve deeper into your experience, what challenges you reaching the goals you are aiming to achieve. We will focus on discovering, learning, and implementing practices. Through ongoing inquiry, reflection, and action planning, I will help you to challenge your thinking and your business-as-usual habits and discover new possibilities and implement sustainable change.

Ending

When you consider you are ready to maintain your achieved change we will say goodbye. If you consider it will be beneficial for you to continue working with me we may agree to meet monthly to check in. This arrangement will be contracted separately and its purpose made explicit, for example, it may be an opportunity to explore decisions about changes in your personal or work life, or a safe space to explore a specific problem and work on your best fit solution.

 

WILL I NEED TO DO HOMEWORK?

The process of therapy and coaching include your commitment to undertake the effortful work between our meetings, to reflect, experiment, and implement practices we have explored and agreed in our sessions. I understand that aspects of this may be a new experience for you and I will support you without judgement. All questions are welcome and I will do my best to provide useful answers to them all; it’s always okay to be a learner but I understand being a learner doesn’t feel comfortable for everybody.

It’s helpful to capture any thoughts, feelings, and experiences you have in between our sessions which you think it will be helpful to explore and make sense of when we meet.

Sessions usually begin with a check in; I will ask you how you are doing and what you are bringing to the session. You are driving this process and it is helpful for you to have considered how you want to make best use of our time in our sessions.

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I CONTACT YOU?

Step 1 – you reach out

I always welcome prospective clients; people often feel uncomfortable taking this first step so I trust reading this information supports you to reach out and relieves, even if only a little, any nervousness you may feel.

When you get in touch you can expect me to respond to you within two working days and if you have specified your preference, I will use your chosen method. if you leave a voicemail I will text you. If you choose for me to email I will also text you to confirm I have done this because sometimes my email may not land in your inbox. This text will simply say I have emailed you, please check your email.

Step 2 – the exploratory phone call

We will arrange and confirm a mutually convenient time to speak when you will be sure of having 30 minutes and privacy available.

Our initial call serves several purposes:

• It’s an opportunity for me to learn more about your needs and explore what changes you are wanting to pursue.
• The call lets you get a sense about if you think I will be a good fit for you.
• You are able to ask me any questions you may have.
• I am able to check if your issues align with the focus of my practice.
• I am able to check if my competencies will meet your needs.
• It allows me to assess the potential of us forming an effective therapeutic or coaching relationship.

At the end of the call we will choose to:

• Arrange a first session
• Decide not to pursue working together
• Take some time to reflect before deciding

 

WHAT WILL  HAPPEN IN OUR FIRST SESSION?

Contracting

The first session will always begin with contracting. The contract is what we call the agreement about the ground rules and boundaries of how we will work together. I always email a copy before we meet so you will have a clear idea of the details in advance of our discussion and think about any questions you may have.

Understanding your needs and goals for our work

We explore your needs and develop our collaborative understanding about the journey we are embarking on together.

Your story

It’s always helpful for me to hear your story, as much as you are comfortable to share about your life and your journey which has led you to where you are today.

Check in

We will reflect on your experience in the session and how you are feeling as we end this first session.