How does it work?

Whether you are exploring counselling or psychotherapy for the first time, or you have had counselling or psychotherapy before, you might be wondering what to expect from working with me.

I offer a short introductory meeting free of charge of 30 minutes to give us an opportunity to meet and discuss what brings you to counselling and psychotherapy, what you want to get out of it and to consider whether we will work well together. Alternatively, if you would like longer for this first session, there is a charge of £50 for an introductory 50 minute session.

Counselling and psychotherapy can be approached as an open-ended process or for a fixed period of time. I offer both long-term and short-term psychotherapy. If we agree to meet again after the initial session, I suggest we have 6 sessions followed by a review to discuss how you have found the process, whether that is enough for now or whether you would like to continue. 

How long are sessions? Sessions last for 50 minutes on a weekly basis and are held at the same time each week.

Costs: I offer sessions on a sliding scale or £70 - £50 per session. I have some concessionary rate spaces although these are currently full.

What will we do?

I believe that the path to wellbeing and transformation is best supported by a mindful, warm, and empowering relationship, and I will do my best to work with you in this way.

I draw on a range of psychotherapeutic approaches, so there are lots of different approaches we might use in our work together. The particular ones we will use will depend on you and the issues you bring to our sessions.

We will start by talking about what brings you to therapy. I find it useful to talk a bit about your history to help me understand your background and experience, although we won’t necessarily focus on the past.

Mindfulness based psychotherapy means working with how you are experiencing yourself and your life right now. This is because it is only in the present that healing is possible.

This kind of mindfulness work may include noticing your thoughts, views, feelings, and what is happening in your body, as well as your habits and how you make sense of the world. Paying attention to these helps you find more choice, feel less imprisoned by old habits and be ready to move on to the next stage in your life.

More technically, I describe my approach an integrative, drawing on psychodynamics, aspects of body psychotherapy, western personality therapy, psychotherapy skills and trauma skills, as well as being informed by Buddhist psychology and mindfulness practices.

Confidentiality: Everything we discuss is confidential. My work is supervised regularly by a UKCP accredited supervisor. I do not share any identifying client material with my supervisor.

I am accredited with the the UKCP, an accredited member of the ACPP and a registered member of the BACP. I work under the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the ACPP, the UKCP and the BACP.

For more information about my background, click here.