Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Counselling tends to address a specific issue, help with emotional difficulties, mainly use the talking cure and often the work is short-term.

Psychotheraphy works with issues of Mental Health and psychopathology, as well as emotional and behavioural difficulties. Psychotherapists have knowledge and expertise in Mental Health, use other methods in addition to talking cure techniques ie play therapy, art therapy, music, drama and movement therapy. They are trained in working with an adult, a child or an adolescent as a whole. This will also include the child’s (and sometimes the adolescent’s) family and they have knowledge and expertise in referral to CAMHS and other agencies. This work is often long-term.

Where are you based?

I work both in central London and Hereford. I will also do school visits by special arrangement – please contact me to arrange this.

How long does each session last?

Each session lasts 50 minutes – although longer is allowed for the initial session.

What happens in the first session?

We will discuss the concerns that bring you to therapy and how therapy might help you.

How long will does therapy last?

This will depend on the therapeutic needs and your child’s/adolescent’s availability.

Reviews

We will review sessions regularly approximately every six sessions to ensure you feel you are getting the most out of therapy; you are not tied into any commitment you can end sessions at any time. If I consider your requirements beyond my competence I reserve the right to terminate our contract, this will be discussed in the session and recommendations would be provided.

What if I don’t want to continue?

The initial consultation is for you to see whether therapy is for you and if you feel that you would like to work with me. It is up to both of us to decide whether this is for you.

Can I contact you between sessions?

If necessary, you can contact me by email between sessions.

Is it confidential?

Confidentiality is fundamental to the trust and integrity of the therapeutic relationship and any information that you give me will be treated with the strictest confidence and will not be passed on to anyone without your agreement. You can decide what is shared and what is not. HOWEVER, if a client, of any age, tells me that they or other people are at serious risk, I will, in this instance, have to inform other professionals.

Do you contact my doctor?

This is not routine practice but it might be helpful to let your doctor know when you begin therapy.

How much does each session cost?

Please contact me to discuss this.

Session Payment

All sessions are to be paid for in full at the end of each session or in a monthly block in advance.

Non-attendance

If you fail to attend a session without any notice, full payment for that session will be required before booking any further sessions, and your file will be placed on hold.

What if we need to cancel a session?

If sessions are cancelled with less than a week’s notice then they will be charged for (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS

Do you contact my child’s or adolescent’s school?

The school is not contacted routinely but sometimes it can be helpful to speak with their teachers. Your permission would be sought for this.

What happens during the school holidays?

If you are being seen at your school, then therapy sessions will normally not take place during the school holidays.

If you are being seen in my Private Practice, we will discuss suitable dates.

Do parents and children/adolescents come together?

This can sometimes be helpful.