Frequently Asked Questions
Is your work confidential?Yes. All clients must feel safe in the knowledge that anything they discuss will be kept between them and the therapist. I do not keep any records on computer. I would not discuss the work of any client with his or her GP or employer.
How long would I need to go for?
This depends on the type of work undertaken and what the goals and aspirations of a client are.
A client may want to commit to, say, ten sessions and look specifically at the difficult relationship they have with their daughter, for example. Towards the end of the ten sessions we would have a review and if the client was satisfied that they had achieved what they wanted out of the work; then they would end.
Another client may decide to come to therapy because they have a long history of failed relationships and they want to look at why this is happening. The client may not know how many sessions they want. In this instance, it may be appropriate for the work to begin and for reviews to be undertaken at regular intervals until the client feels they have a better understanding of their behavioural patterns and what strategies work to help them have a more satisfying experience of relationships.
In short, the work undertaken is up to the client and can be for as long or short a time as the client feels is necessary.
Can I stop at any time?
The client is always in control of the work that they undertake. I do, however, have a minimum period for cancellation notice; charging my full fees for any session cancelled within one week of the appointment. I would also expect a client to give notice of at least three sessions if they wish to end our work. The more notice that is given the better the quality of work we would be able to undertake together.
Is counselling and psychotherapy all about crying a lot and going back over childhood events?
The client is encouraged to stay in control of his or her work at all times, while my job as a therapist is to guide, support and structure work as appropriate.
I am primarily concerned with how the client is experiencing his or her life right now. There may be instances where looking back over life patterns is helpful and useful. Repeating patterns, for example, may have an origin early on in life and knowing where a behavioural pattern originated can often be a useful first step in working out the best way to alter that behaviour.Will you give me lots of advice about how to live my life?
Naturally, our work would be undertaken together and as a therapist I may have one - or several - suggestions to make. But I believe that the client is the best possible expert on his or her life and therefore my primary interest is support them in finding the best courses of action to take in any given situation.
How much does it cost?
My current fee is £40 per hour for individuals and £45 per hour for couples. I usually have low-cost spaces available in my practice.
