FAQ about Psychotherapy

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There will be, no doubt, many questions you may have regarding psychotherapy. Below I have listed some of the most frequently asked questions together with answers. In the event that you have additional questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be very happy to answer them.

Will the work be confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is an important component in the sense of safety that is essential in a therapeutic relationship. Confidentiality means that the client can discuss whatever they need to and feel safe in the knowledge that the information will not leave the room. I take my responsibility to work confidentially very seriously.There are, however, very rare occasions when it would be necessary to break confidentiality for professional reason – such as if the therapist considers the client to be either ‘a danger to himself or others’. Should this be a concern any break in confidentiality would happen in the clients best interest and with their full awareness.

How much will it cost?

I operate a sliding scale of payment - £45 - £55 per session, which is negotiated with each client individually during the assessment session. Some concessions are available for people with limited means.

How long would I have to come for?

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on each individual clients needs. For some people a few sessions may be adequate to meet their needs, whilst other clients may need to work on a longer term basis, such as several months or years.

What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

There is no clear cut answer to this question as counselling and psychotherapy share much middle ground. In simplistic terms counselling may be on a short term basis with the focus on providing support for here and now issues, whereas psychotherapy is often (but not always as indicated above) longer term with more exploratory work focussing on making links with the past and heightening personal awareness. For more information regarding the way that I work please visit the "my approach to psychotherapy" page.

What happens in the assessment?

Please see the "what is psychotherapy" page for a full explanation of what to expect in an assessment session.