What will happen during the first meeting?
I will provide you with some information about CBT and counselling and answer any questions you may have about this, my qualifications, experience, professional memberships or about therapy in general. Please note that I do not offer a diagnosis and am unable to act as an expert witness.
I will invite you to talk about why you have decided to seek therapy and what changes you hope to make in your life as a result of therapy. If I feel that I do not have the necessary training or experience to help you, then I will discuss this with you and suggest how you could find another therapist if you would like me to do so. Sometimes there is an underlying medical reason which explains feelings of depression or anxiety and you can discuss this with your GP. You can decide if we work together on an open-ended basis or for a fixed number of sessions. There is never any pressure to continue or complete a particular number of sessions.
What happens after the first session?
If you decide that you would like to continue with therapy, we will make an appointment at a mutually convenient time.
How many sessions of therapy will I need?
Many clients find that they feel better after up to 8 sessions of therapy. For longer term problems, more sessions may be required, and this can be discussed on an individual basis. It is important to learn how to deal with any future problems you may experience during the process of therapy and not to become ‘dependent’ on your therapist. I will regularly review our work with you and we will mutually agree an ending for our work and complete a relapse prevention plan.
Will you discuss what I tell you in therapy with anyone?
This is a common question and it is answered fully at the beginning of therapy. Anything that you tell me during therapy is confidential. However, there are some exceptions to this:
- If you disclose that you intend to seriously harm yourself or another.
- If you disclose a child protection issue.
- If you disclose a serious crime.
- If requested to do so by a court of law.
- In addition, as an accredited member of the BACP, I am required to discuss my work in clinical supervision. I do not reveal the identity of my clients in supervision.
I feel anxious about seeking therapy. Is that normal?
Many people feel anxious about making contact with a therapist. This may be because they have never had therapy before and do not know what to expect. It may also be because they want to talk about problems that they have not discussed with anyone else. This can create feelings of embarrassment, shame, guilt or stress. I understand these feelings. I have experienced them too. I know that your experience will be different from mine. We will work together and I will help you to find a way for you to express what is troubling you and will work at a pace which fits with your needs.
I think my partner / family member / friend needs therapy. Can I make an appointment for them?
This is a common question. It is understandable that you would be concerned if someone you care about is experiencing distress. However, it is not possible to impose therapy on someone and it is not ethical to discuss a client with a third party. It is important that the potential client contacts me and arranges an appointment. I recognise that this can be difficult but it is an important first step in terms of recovery and taking responsibility.
Does therapy work?
It is hard to predict the outcome of therapy. It depends on a number of factors which include:
- Your engagement with the therapist.
- Timing – your readiness to start therapy.
- Therapist competence (which often predicts your engagement).
- Pacing – this means that your therapist ‘meets’ you where you are at the moment.
- Appropriate balance of support and challenge by your therapist. Growth depends on support and challenge. Therapy is not a cosy chat. It is about change and change involves hard work, tenacity and commitment. I will encourage you to tell me if you are not happy with your therapy so that we can try and resolve any problems.
There is, however, much evidence to support CBT and counselling as being effective to help people. If you are interested in finding out more about this subject then ‘The Facts are Friendly’ by Professor Mick Cooper in ‘therapy today’, September 2008 is an interesting and accessible article. This is available to read online.
How much do sessions cost?
Please contact me to discuss fees. Fees are payable in advance by bank transfer. The cost of your sessions may be covered by your insurance company and you can check with them. I am approved by a number of insurance companies.