What to expect

When you are ready to start, we will book an initial appointment to allow us to meet and discuss your needs. This appointment normally takes 1 hour. This first step is huge and often people feel a bit nervous or reluctant in the appointment. I will try my best to make you feel at ease, comfortable and relaxed.

The appointment takes the form of a conversation. I will ask lots of questions to understand what is bringing you to therapy, the challenges you are facing, what changes you would like to make, and what your goals are. I will also ask questions about your physical health, relationships, family, hobbies, spirituality/religion.

As I do have a holistic view of mental health, I’ll ask about recent health check-ups, physical activity, and eating habits.

Towards the end of your appointment, I will explain to you how I can help, the modalities of treatment I work with, and make recommendations. Sessions are booked once a week, especially at the beginning of psychotherapy, but this can be adjusted as/when needed.

If you decide to carry on, we can book the next appointments straight away. If you do not feel ready to commit, no problem at all. You can have a think and then contact me to book the next sessions when you feel it’s the right time for you.

Sessions are carried out online which brings the advantage of having them in the comfort of your home or anywhere it suits you. You also do not waste time and money with travel, gas and parking. Online appointments have the same personal touch as in-person ones!

Length of treatment

It is very difficult to estimate the exact number of sessions a person might need because everyone is unique and every healing journey is so different. Also, important factors influence the treatment duration, such as the severity of your symptoms, how long you have been experiencing your difficulties (i.e. how chronic they have become), the development of the therapeutic relationship, and the degree of your involvement in the treatment, which is all very particular.

Therapeutic relationship

The therapeutic relationship in psychology refers to the professional relationship between a psychologist and the patient. It is a crucial aspect of the therapeutic process and plays a significant role in the effectiveness of therapy. It gradually develops over a few sessions, as both the psychologist and the patient get to know each other.

It is characterised by mutual trust, compassion, empathy and collaboration, where the psychologist provides a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client to explore their thoughts, emotions and experiences. It is built on mutual respect and confidentiality.

It is important to note that the therapeutic relationship is a professional one, and as a registered Clinical Psychologist, I abide by my professional regulator (HCPC) and professional associations (BPS and BABCP) codes of ethics and practice.

My approaches