Practical FAQS

What kind of therapy do you offer? 

I am an integrative therapist which means I use different ideas, practices and theories to find the best approach for you. At heart I am a person centred therapist, which means I believe together we can unlock the potential for healing and growth within you, and you are the expert of your life. 

How do I know whether therapy is right for me?

That's a tough question! It will be different for everyone, but if you've tried doing things on your own, or the difficulties and challenges you're experiencing are affecting your life, or perhaps you just don't have anyone else you can talk to about what is going on for you, the right therapist is likely to be beneficial.

What happens when I first contact you?

Initially when you get in touch we'll arrange a 20 minute introductory video call. This is so we can meet each other, I can understand what you need and whether I might be able to help and you can ask questions and determine if I might be the right therapist for you. Then if that feels right we can arrange a suitable time to start our work together.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is a little bit different, as we will be doing some finding out about each other. I want to find out more about you, and you may have things you want to tell me or ask me. We'll also do some contracting where we agree how we will work together. In this session I will take some notes, which is different to other sessions where I don't take any. I will probably ask you lots more questions in this session about how life is for you now, your support network, your previous experiences of therapy etc.

Do I need to know what I want to talk about?

Not necessarily. Sometimes you can come with an idea of what you want to talk about, and we can go off to a very different discussion! However it's good if you have some goals in mind for what you want out of therapy.

How often will we meet?

I am able to offer you weekly or fortnightly sessions. I find weekly is better initially to help us build a relationship, but for some people that feels like not enough processing time! So we can do fortnightly if that feels better for you.

What happens if I need to cancel a session?

Life happens. Sometimes it's unavoidable that we can't make every session. I ask that you give me 24 hours notice of not being able to attend and we can just reschedule without any charge. If it's less than 24 hours before the session I do ask that you pay for the missed session, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Do you offer short-term or open-ended counselling?

I offer both. I usually ask that you come for at least 8 sessions, as I think it takes this long to see the benefits of therapy. However I also work open ended. We can review how you feel it's going at regular periods so you'll have an opportunity to share any feedback, re-think about what you want out of therapy, and we can reflect on your progress or change.

What times and days are appointments available?

I usually work Mondays to Wednesdays, and there are a variety of appointments on those days. Please check in with me to see what availability I have. 

Can I bring a drink, fidget or comfort item to therapy?

You can bring a drink , fidget, soft toy or blanket, your slippers or something else that makes you feel calm and grounded. I also have a basket of fidgets you can explore too.

What should I do if I need urgent or crisis support?

I don't provide an urgent or crisis support service, but if you do need this during our work together I will help you access support. If you have a medical emergency you should either call 999 or go to your local A and E. You can also call 111 for urgent mental health support.  You can also talk to the Samaritans on 116 123 24/7.

FAQS about Therapy Types

Do you offer online counselling across the UK?

Yes. I offer video counselling via Google Meet across the UK.

What does body positive therapy mean?

Body positive therapy means that you won't be judged for your body; its size, how it works or how it looks, and that I actively try to make sure my therapy works for all bodies. There is so much criticism of bodies; particularly for fat and large bodies, and those whose body looks different to the perceived norm,  and I want the therapy space to be a space where you can be yourself without being judged for your body. It might be that you want to talk about your body as part of the therapy, and we can explore that in more detail, but you will never be shamed or minimised due to your body size, shape or appearance. If body positive feels too much of a stretch, think of it as body neutral instead.

Who do you work with?

I work with adults of all ages over the age of 18. I am not qualified to work with children and young people, or couples. I  work with a range of adults . From those who are neurodivergent, to people who identify or think they might identify as LGBTQ+. From parents and carers of children with additional needs and disabilities, or who are adopted, to those who are questioning or don't know what their identity is, and people who feel different or outside societal norms, such as disabled people or people in larger bodies. What draws people together who I work with is they often feel excluded, different, outside of societal norms or isolated by a lack of support.

What experience do you have of working with neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients?

Quite a bit! A lot of my work is with neurodivergent clients; both diagnosed, and self labelling. I have also worked with people who have diverse relationships, are in same sex relationships, non monogamous relationships and who identify their gender and sexuality in different ways. I have also undertaken training, and I have lived experience across these areas.

Can I discuss experiences of discrimination, exclusion or feeling different?

Absolutely, I am continually working towards working in an anti-oppressive, anti-racist way. This is a journey and I know I won't always get it right, but I am reading, and learning, understanding how my privilege as a white cis woman shows up and I aim to actively encourage discussions around exclusion or difference if this is right for you.

What happens if either of us feels that the therapy is not the right fit?

We can have an introductory call to help you decide if working together feels right for us. If during your therapy either of us feels it's not the right fit, I would encourage you to share this with me so we can talk it through, and I will do the same for you. Ultimately you can end therapy at any time if you feel we're not right together. However therapy can be tough and I'd encourage you to stick with it if it's feeling tough, but you do feel we're working well together.