✧ How do I know if I need therapy?

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Are you struggling?

- Therapy is a safe space for you to talk, it's confidential, it's judgement free, and it's focused on you and working with you and for you ... acknowledging that you are, after all, the expert on you.

 

Our mental wellbeing has a big influence on how we feel about life, about ourselves, and how we respond to our emotions. ​

It's learning to be resilient to get through the bad times and have some hope for the future.

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Therapy offers a range of mental health benefits such as improved emotional wellbeing, healthier relationships, personal growth and useful coping mechanisms.

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It can help you to manage difficult emotions, navigate challenging life events, develop strategies for maintaining wellness.​​

Plus therapy can positively impact physical health and overall life satisfaction.

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All contributing to your long term mental health and wellbeing.

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You don't have to be in crisis to have therapy .

 

Therapy isn't just about a 'last resort' - it's also a space for growth, clarity and maintenance.

It's being proactive, you can go to stay well.

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👉 Take a look at my starting therapy leaflet

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👉 Check out the therapy locations here.

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✧ Why a Consultation?​

 

Introductions mainly - This is for us both to ensure that I am a right fit for you ... and it can help me to assess whether I will be able help you on your therapeutic journey.  ​​

The relationship between therapist and client is an important one so it needs to be right.

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This free - no-pressure, no-obligation 20 minute chat can let you know what to expect from the therapy sessions with me .. and we can also discuss what you are expecting to get out of it, especially if it is your first time for therapy. 

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The consultation can take place over the telephone or online via zoom, whatever your preference is. 

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​The therapy consultation is a vital step to make sure that you receive appropriate care and support geared towards your unique situations.

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👻 About Ghosting ...

If you've reached out for a therapy consultation and felt anxious after my reply, or you've noticed you're feeling better and choose not to proceed, that's completely ok!

Please don't hesitate to send me a quick email to let me know. I genuinely don't take it personally.

And know you're always welcome back whenever you feel ready.

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👉 Book your free 20 minute consultation

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👉 Book your therapy session

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✧ Is it confidential?

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Absolutely ... Therapy really is meant to be a safe space.​

A place where you can:

    •    Speak openly without being judged

    •    Say things you might not feel comfortable saying anywhere else

    •    Untangle thoughts and feelings at your own pace

    •    Be listened to — and properly listened to.

 

It’s one of the few spaces where you don’t have to perform, fix everything, or have it all figured out. You can show up exactly as you are — messy, uncertain, quiet, overwhelmed, or even just curious.

 

And “safe” doesn’t mean it’s always easy.

Sometimes therapy brings up uncomfortable truths or emotions. But the safety comes from knowing:

    •    You’re supported while you go through it

    •    You’re not being criticised or dismissed

    •    You’re allowed to take your time

 

At its core, therapy is about having a place where you don’t have to carry everything alone — and where you can slowly decide what to keep, what to process, and what to put down.

 

Everything said in therapy sessions is strictly confidential.... but I'm sure you'll appreciate that there are some circumstances where safety comes first.

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✧ In adhering to the BACP ethics these are disclosures of ... harm to self or others;  acts of terrorism;

drug trafficking;  money laundering;

child protection issues.

... but depending on the circumstances this would be discussed in the session before any further action was taken.​​

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Please remember I'm not here to judge you.

I'm here to help you feel better, and that only works if you feel safe talking to me.

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✧ How does online therapy work?

 

Online therapy is just a bit different from regular in-person sessions but it can be just as helpful and it can be more flexible, I offer evening and weekend slots, which can sometimes work better especially for couples counselling - both partners don't even have to be in the same place ... you just need zoom set up on a computer, a tablet or a phone to join in.

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You will be sent an invitation to join the zoom meeting.

It will have all the info including my personal meeting ID and a passcode which you will use every time to join me in the meeting.

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Just follow the directions on the screen - when you are in ... and make sure your camera and microphone are switched on.

Or if you prefer you can leave your camera off, I want you to feel comfortable throughout the process.

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I don't record sessions.

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And if you're new to zoom, please don't worry, it will soon become second nature...​​​

Any questions please ask.​​​​​​

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... I also offer FaceTime or WhatsApp video calls, please reach out if you want further details on these.

✧ What's the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

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Counselling and psychotherapy are both forms of mental health support, the differences are more to do with their depth and approach and they do overlap sometimes:

1. Counselling:
Focus: Typically addresses specific issues or challenges, such as stress, grief, or relationship problems.
Duration: Often shorter-term and solution-focused.
Approach: More directive, providing guidance and coping strategies.

2. Psychotherapy:
Focus: Explores deeper psychological issues and patterns, such as childhood experiences or trauma.
Duration: Usually longer-term, allowing for more in-depth exploration.
Approach: Generally more exploratory, aiming to understand the root causes of emotional or behavioral issues.
 

Psychotherapeutic counselling is the middle ground between them both ...

• It can be short term or long term.

• It addresses both current issues and underlying patterns.

• It can be integrative and flexible.

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✧ Why a therapy contract?

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The contract is an informed consent form, a working agreement between the therapist and the client, it makes sure both parties are aware of the responsibilities required within the therapeutic relationship, however it is being held.

It outlines the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of the private therapy practice.

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It sets out :

• the time, day, cost and duration of sessions

• Open-ended or time-limited options

• Confidentiality

• Ethics (BACP) & Supervision

• Therapeutic Approaches 

• Cancellation Policy

• Working Online / Working in-person

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✍ My contracts are e-sign documents, your relevant one will be emailed out to you when you book in for your first session, it needs to be signed and returned before we can start working together. They can be found by clicking on the E-Sign button on the green footer bar of my website.

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>> My Payment Policy: please pay for the service you receive either before or at the time you receive it.

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>> Note Taking:  As a solo therapist in private practice I only maintain a log of session times and dates, type of counselling ie person-centred or couples counselling and number of sessions (this is only an administration record rather than clinical process notes)

... I do this to keep the confidentiality of my clients intact, for data protection and I always work in line with the ethical framework of the BACP 

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✧ Running Late: 

 

• If you're running late, please contact me right away to let me know if you are on your way. If I haven't heard from you within the first 20 minutes of your session I will assume you are a no-show, and your session will be forfeited, and you will be billed at your full rate (even if there is time remaining in your session.

• I do not begin sessions more than 20 minutes late.

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• I do give everyone One Free Pass on the fee, and I will offer you another time that week to reschedule.

• If you have had your One Free Pass then the next time yI will have Ito charge you for the session more than 20 minutes late/ or missed.

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✧ 24 hr cancellation policy in force.

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• I completely understand that life happens and sometimes appointments need to change.            To keep things fair and sustainable, I ask for 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling.

• When less than 24 hours notice is provided the full session fee is charged.

• Of course, if there's an emergency or something unexpected, please let me know as soon as you can and we can talk it through.

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✧ Why endings in therapy matter?

 

Most people don’t come into therapy thinking about how it will end ... and that makes sense.

 

When you’re starting out, the focus is usually on what’s difficult right now.

But the ending of therapy is just as important as the beginning. Rather than something that “just happens” (or quietly fades out), a thoughtful ending can be a meaningful part of the work itself.

It’s a chance to reflect on what’s changed, what you’re taking with you, and how you want to move forward.

 

In everyday life, endings are often rushed, avoided, or left unresolved.

 

Therapy offers something different: the opportunity for a clear, intentional, and supported ending. We might talk about this from early on ... not to cut things short, but to make sure there’s a shared sense of direction. When the time comes, we can slow down, look back, and bring things to a close in a way that feels complete rather than abrupt.

That kind of ending can stay with you long after therapy finishes.