Psychotherapy/ Counselling -

What is it?

Psychotherapy/counselling also known as talk therapy, it's a method for treating mental and emotional issues through discussions with a therapist. This helps you understand your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours and find ways to cope with or change them. Talk therapy can assist in addressing everyday challenges and delve into deeper problems, including unwanted habits and various mental disorders. It can improve your self-perception and relationships with others. Psychotherapists, as trained mental health professionals, listen to your concerns with the aim of identifying the root causes and working towards solutions. Establishing trust with your therapist is crucial, enabling a comfortable environment for discussing longstanding issues. This process can be extensive, sometimes spanning months or even years.

What to expect in a session

1. Initial Session (Assessment and Introduction)

• Establishing Goals: The first session is often about understanding why you’re seeking therapy. You will be asked about your concerns, challenges, and goals.
• Personal History: Expect questions about your medical history, personal life, relationships, and past experiences to help me gain insight into your situation.
• Building Rapport: We will work to create a safe, nonjudgmental space, helping you feel comfortable on sharing.
• Setting Expectations: You’ll learn about the therapy process, session structure, confidentiality, and what you can expect from the therapeutic relationship.

2.During Regular Sessions

• Open Conversation:

  • Sessions typically involve talking about your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences.
  • I may guide the conversation or let you lead based on your needs.

• Exploring Patterns:

  • We may identify recurring patterns or triggers in your thoughts or behaviors.
  • This exploration can provide insight into how past experiences or current situations affect you.

• Coping Strategies:

  • You’ll work on developing skills to manage stress, anxiety, depression, or other challenges.
  • These could include mindfulness, grounding techniques, or problem-solving strategies.

• Therapeutic Techniques:

  • Depending on the results, techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or mindfulness exercises may be used.
  • You might engage in structured exercises, role-playing, or homework assignments between sessions.

3.Emotions May Surface

• It’s normal to experience a range of emotions during therapy. Discussing personal topics can bring up sadness, anger, relief, or even joy.
• I will guide and support you through these emotions, helping you process them safely.

4. Collaborative Problem-Solving

• Therapy is a joint effort between you and me.
• Together, you’ll work to develop realistic, actionable goals and evaluate your progress over time.

5. Confidentiality and Trust

• Everything you discuss is confidential, except in situations involving harm to yourself or others.
• A strong therapeutic relationship is built on trust, honesty, and openness.

6. Progression Over Time

• Therapy is a process, and change happens gradually.
• Over time, you may notice improved self-awareness, better coping skills, and a stronger sense of well-being.

7. Ending a Session

• Toward the end of each session, we will summarize key points, discuss takeaways, or suggest practices to try before the next session.
• You’ll have an opportunity to reflect on what you found helpful or challenging.

8. Duration and Frequency

• Sessions usually last 50-60 minutes.
• The frequency of sessions depends on your needs, often starting weekly or bi-weekly.

Psychotherapy is a journey tailored to your individual needs, offering a safe space for self-discovery and healing. Let me know if you’d like further clarification!

How much is it?

I dont charge per hour as each session can run over or under so I charge a session fee of £77 under 18's £62