I know you outside of the therapy context, can I book sessions with you?

Thank you for your interest in working together, to avoid any conflicts of interest, I am unfortunately unable to work with anybody I have a pre-existing relationship with. I would recommend visiting directories such as Counselling Directory, Psychology Today and BACP and UKCP therapist directories to find somebody who can best support you. 

   

I had therapy sessions with you while you were on placement. Can I book sessions with you in your independent practice?

Thank you for your interest in working with me again. The answer to this depends on the policy of the organisation you attended sessions with me at, you are welcome to get in touch and we can discuss whether I am able to  support you. If I am unable to, I will signpost you to directories where you can find another therapist who can meet your needs; Counselling Directory, Psychology Today, and BACP and UKCP therapist directory listings are available online.

 

What do I need for remote sessions?

I offer video call sessions via Zoom. This is your time and space, so it is important to create a safe and confidential space for remote sessions together. Both you and I need a secure device, stable internet connection and to be in private spaces where the session cannot be overheard and can take place uninterrupted. No babies, children or other adults can be in the room.

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You may like to consider what may support you to feel comfortable in session and to go back into the rest of your day after the session. Online therapy offers the flexibility to not go somewhere for your sessions but this can also mean a different transition, so you may like to consider what helps you after session. 

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If you have any access needs you want to discuss before your session, please do also contact me.

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Is what I share confidential?

For the most part, yes, but I want to be clear on the exceptions to this before you share anything. If information disclosed is of such gravity that confidentiality cannot reasonably be expected to be maintained, for example this would apply in the case of serious crimes or where there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is risk of harm to others I would need to disclose this. If I feel that there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or somebody else including child abuse, I would also need to disclose this to reduce risk and support safety. I could also be required to share via a court order if my notes are subpoenaed. If you disclose drug trafficking, money laundering or potential acts of terrorism, I'm legally obliged to report these. If these situations arise, wherever it is possible and safe to do so, I would try to talk with you about this first. 

 

Like all trainee and qualified therapists, I have regular supervision with a supervisor, who is another therapist bound to the same confidentiality as I am. This is a chance to reflect on sessions and ensure that I am supporting you in the best way that I can. I will reflect on work anonymously.

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As a trainee psychotherapist, audio recording sessions can be helpful towards my professional development and towards my professional and academic qualification. It is your choice whether recording of your sessions takes place. Whether you choose to consent or not does not impact on your access to these sessions. I have a separate recording informed consent form that we will go through in the initial session. I will explain the exact potential uses of recordings and your rights around this for you to consider whether you choose to consent to recordings. No recording will take place without your signed consent. 

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Please see my data privacy notice on my home page for information on how your data is collected and stored and the rights you have with your data. If you have any questions about this, please ask.

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How might I feel in therapy?

​I often describe sessions as looking at different boxes. These different boxes represent who we are today. They are made up of our experiences and memories that shape who we are. Maybe you feel ready to look at some of these boxes, perhaps you are aware of what’s in some of these boxes and exploring these is bringing you to therapy. Some boxes may bring up pleasant feelings and experiences, opening some may feel like a weight has come off and you feel lighter for it. Other times, you may come across boxes that you didn’t know were there or maybe you see them differently now to before, some may bring up difficult experiences and feelings.  Maybe you don’t feel ready to open some, maybe you feel stuck with some, or perhaps you want to explore and experiment with ways of coping with them rather than opening them up. I will always respect and value your pace, your ways of coping and your needs.

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It is normal for therapy to bring up a whole range of feelings, some of the time feeling good and some of the time bringing up difficult feelings and experiences you perhaps didn’t expect to feel from coming to therapy. This is all really normal. We can explore pace and what you might need. Maybe what you need from sessions changes from session to session. What feels right will be unique to you and I really welcome you bringing your experiences of sessions, so that we can work in a way and pace that feels right for you.

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How long might I need sessions for and what next if I’m starting to feel ready to end sessions?

How long you may want sessions for will be unique to you. We can talk about this in your initial session and check-in on this as we continue sessions. Future sessions will always be booked in at the end of each session and you are never obliged to continue sessions. I believe you will know when the time is right for you to finish sessions.​ If you feel that you might be ready to end sessions, I usually suggest at least one final session to give you an experience of a rounded-off ending. After you have finished sessions,  you are welcome to contact me again if you want to continue with therapy.

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