COMMON QUESTIONS
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN OUR INTRODUCTORY CALL?
I will call you at a time convenient for you and recommend that you be in a quiet, private space where you won't be interrupted.
During this call, I'll ask you a few questions such as: what drew you to contact me, have you done therapy before etc. I'll share a bit around how I think we may work together and if my skill set is a match for your needs. If we agree to work together, I'll outline next steps (contract, setting up first session etc) and after I'll send you a recap email. The call is normally 15 minutes long.
If more than one of you are looking to book a session, then you can either all join the call (on speaker phone) or you can nominate one person to speak with me.
WHAT IF WE'RE NOT A GOOD FIT?
I want you to get the most out of your therapy and sometimes that will be with another therapist! They might have an approach that is more suited to you or be specialised to work with your concerns.  I have a wide list of excellent therapists that I can refer you to as well as different organisations which you may find supportive.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN MY FIRST SESSION?
I understand that this can be a challenging first step to make and endeavour to provide you with a warm, welcoming environment to help you feel at ease.
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We'll start by getting admin bits out of the way and I'll answer any questions you have regarding this. Then we'll talk through what's brought you to therapy and what your hopes are for our time together.
If we're working short term, we'll dive straight in. I'll ask some questions about your history and we'll work together to get clear on what your goals are for therapy.
If we're working in an open-ended way, then our first few sessions will involve exploring you and your history. This will involve things like : your family history, school, work, your health. The aim here is to understand what factors might be contributing to your challenges. We'll end with a brief exercise and have time for you to ask me questions ahead of our next session.
Where appropriate, I may advise further consultation with your GP or other healthcare professional.
WHAT'S YOUR THERAPEUTIC APPROACH?
I work in an integrative way which means I don't follow any one particular approach to my client work and instead will tap into different tools and approaches as the need arises. For example if you're feeling disconnected from your body, we'll work more somatically or if you're stuck in a pattern I'll use tools to help you interrupt it. Approaches I tend to gravitate towards are Gestalt, Transpersonal and Transactional Analysis.
HOW DO I PAY FOR SESSIONS?
Sessions are payable in advance via bank transfer so please allow ample time for this to be processed. For ease, you may wish to set up a standing order if you are looking to have multiple sessions. If I haven't received payment 24 hours ahead of the session, we won't be able to proceed with the session.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT SLIDING SCALE RATES
Access to therapy is important and as such I have a limited number of spaces for clients who, due to their circumstances, aren't able to pay the regular rate.
If you feel this applies to you, let me know during our introductory call or during a session and we will explore further.
WHAT IF I CAN'T ATTEND A SESSION?
If you are unable to attend a session, please email me. If you need to cancel within 24 hours of your session the session fee is non-refundable.
We'll explore any planned holidays/absences during our initial session so we can work around those.
If you don't contact me and don't attend a session I will send you an email to check-in and will keep your next session available. If you don't attend two sessions in a row, I will take that as you deciding now is not the right time and will not proceed with therapy.
ARE SESSIONS RECORDED?
No - neither I nor you as my client record the sessions ( video or audio).
I do take notes which are stored securely with multiple passwords. These notes do not include any identifiable information.
DO WE NEED TO EXPLORE MY CHILDHOOD?
If it's relevant then yes! My approach is not too focused on childhood experiences but more how those experiences impact you and your relationships today. We'll explore what's helpful together.
DO WE HAVE TASKS TO DO OUTSIDE OF THE SESSIONS?
More than likely yes. We'll always talk through any exercises in the session and I will send you a follow up message outlining the steps that you can refer back to.
These tasks are invitations and are designed to be challenging. We'll explore your experiences with them in sessions too.
DO YOU SEE CLIENTS FACE TO FACE?
All of my sessions are online via Zoom.
I plan to set up a retreat centre where I will host people for face to face intensive workshops, therapy, and more. I will share more about this once it's set up!
CAN MY PARTNER(S) JOIN AFTER A FEW INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS WITH YOU?
This is a good question and some therapists may say yes to this.
However I feel that if we start working individually it's best to maintain that. Similarly, if we start working with your relationship and decide that maybe individual work is also needed - I would refer you onwards for individual counselling with another therapist.