FAQs
Q. What happens after I get in touch? After you contact me, I will usually suggest arranging an initial assessment. I also offer a brief introductory telephone call upon request (around 10–15 minutes) for those who would like to ask practical questions before booking. Therapy begins with a two-session assessment process, which helps us develop a shared understanding of your difficulties, goals and needs.
Q. Why do you offer an assessment before therapy? I believe that effective therapy begins with a thorough understanding of the person, not just the problem. Rather than moving straight into treatment, I offer a two-session assessment to develop a comprehensive psychological formulation. I often think of this process as creating a map before beginning a journey. Before deciding on the best route forward, we first need to understand where you are, how you arrived there, and where you would like to go. Without that map, therapy can become a process of trial and error rather than one guided by a clear understanding of your individual needs. An assessment is also a little like turning on the lights before reorganising a room. Before deciding what needs to change, it helps to see clearly what is there, how everything fits together, and what may previously have remained outside awareness. Across the two assessment sessions, we explore your current difficulties alongside your personal history, relationships, emotional experiences, strengths, coping strategies and goals. Together, we develop a shared psychological formulation - an individualised understanding of how your experiences connect, what may be contributing to or maintaining your difficulties, and what is most likely to help. This formulation provides the foundation for treatment planning. It helps us identify meaningful therapeutic goals, anticipate factors that may support or hinder progress, select the most appropriate therapeutic approaches, estimate the likely duration of therapy where possible, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. The assessment also gives both of us the opportunity to consider whether we are a good fit to work together and whether I am the right clinician to support you. If I believe another approach or practitioner would better meet your needs, I will discuss this openly and, where appropriate, help you identify suitable alternatives.
Q.What happens during an initial assessment? The initial assessment is an opportunity for us to develop a thorough understanding of your current difficulties, the factors that may have contributed to them and the areas of your life they are affecting. We will explore your current concerns, relevant personal history, important life experiences, relationships, emotional wellbeing, coping strategies and any previous experiences of therapy or psychological support. I will also ask about your goals and what you hope to gain from therapy. The assessment is not simply about gathering information. It is a collaborative process of developing a psychological formulation-bringing together different aspects of your experiences to understand how your difficulties may have developed and what may be maintaining them. This helps us identify the most appropriate therapeutic focus, consider which approaches are likely to be most beneficial, and discuss a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs, including the likely length and focus of therapy where appropriate. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, gain a sense of how I work and decide whether you feel we are the right fit to work together.
Q. Is therapy only about talking about the past? No. Therapy is always guided by your current difficulties and what you would like to change. However, our past experiences often provide important clues about why certain emotional, behavioural or relationship patterns developed in the first place. For some people, understanding these patterns is enough to help them make meaningful changes in the present. For others, particularly where there has been trauma or other significant life experiences, it may be important to spend more time processing aspects of the past so that they no longer continue to shape the present in unhelpful ways.
Q. Is therapy focused only on insight & self-understanding? No. While insight and self-understanding are important, I also place a strong emphasis on supporting meaningful change. This may include strengthening emotional regulation, increasing awareness of bodily and emotional experience, and exploring new ways of responding to yourself, others and life’s challenges.
Q. What is your therapeutic approach? My approach is grounded in psychodynamic and relational thinking and informed by attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, contemporary psychological research and neuroscience. Alongside developing insight, I place a strong emphasis on emotional processing, affect regulation, body awareness and supporting tangible shifts in day-to-day life. Depending on your needs, I may integrate ideas and techniques drawn from psychodynamic therapy, CBT, compassion-focused therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, ACT, emotion-focused approaches and EMDR-informed practice.
Q. What difficulties do you work with? I work with a broad range of emotional, relational and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, stress, self-criticism, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, trauma-related difficulties, attachment concerns, life transitions, difficulties with self-esteem, and longstanding patterns affecting wellbeing and relationships. I also have experience working with individuals experiencing more complex and enduring psychological difficulties. Where appropriate, therapy may take place alongside support from a GP, psychiatrist or other healthcare professionals involved in a person’s care.
Q. What if I'm not sure what I need help with? That is completely okay. Many people come to therapy with a general sense that something does not feel right, rather than a clear understanding of the problem. You do not need to have everything worked out before seeking support. Together, we can explore your experiences, identify recurring patterns and develop a shared understanding of what may be contributing to your difficulties. Gaining clarity is often an important part of the therapeutic process.
Q. Do you work with complex difficulties? I have experience working with a range of psychological difficulties, including more complex and longstanding presentations where these can be safely managed within an outpatient setting. Where appropriate, liaison with a GP, psychiatrist, or other professionals may be needed to support safe and appropriate care. I do not provide crisis services or intensive support.
Q. Is this a crisis service? No. This practice is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, feel unable to keep yourself safe, or require urgent support, please contact your GP, NHS 111, your local Crisis Team, or emergency services (999) as appropriate.
Q.Are you a registered psychologist? Yes. I am a HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist (Registration Number: PYL34303). The title “Counselling Psychologist” is a protected professional title in the UK and can only be used by practitioners who have completed approved doctoral-level training and meet the standards required by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). HCPC registration means that I am regulated by an independent statutory body, adhere to professional and ethical standards, engage in ongoing professional development, and am accountable for my practice. Counselling psychologists are trained to work integratively, drawing on a range of evidence-based psychological theories and therapeutic approaches. My work is informed by psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, compassion-focused, mindfulness-based and attachment-informed perspectives. In addition to my doctoral training, I have undertaken further specialist training in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR. While insight and understanding are important, I place equal emphasis on helping people create meaningful and lasting change in emotional wellbeing, relationships, patterns of relating, and day-to-day life.
Q. How do I know if you are the right therapist for me? The assessment process helps us understand your needs, discuss how I work, and consider whether my approach is likely to be helpful for you. If I do not believe I am the most appropriate clinician for your needs, I will discuss alternative recommendations where possible.
Q. How long are sessions? Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes. Clinical supervision sessions are typically 60 minutes.
Q. How much do sessions cost? Assessment sessions are £120 per 50-minute session (usually two sessions). Therapy sessions are £120 per 50-minute session. A limited number of reduced-fee therapy places may be available subject to capacity and individual circumstances.
Q. Do you work online or in person? I currently offer remote (online) therapy and supervision only for adults in the UK. In-person appointments may become available in the future.
