Are the sessions confidential?
Yes they are completely confidential. The only time information is ever passed onto a third party is if you express a specific and immediate desire to harm yourself or another. You will be informed during the session that it will be necessary to pass this information on for your own safety and advised to immediately contact your GP or go to the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital for further help.

What does the ‘Initial Consultation Session’ entail?
This session allows you to talk about whatever is troubling you and for your needs in terms of therapy to be assessed. It gives you the opportunity to decide which form of therapy suits you best and if I am the right person to help you.

Will we need to talk about my past during the sessions?
It is helpful if you are able to talk about your past especially if you are choosing long term or open-ended psychotherapy. However if you feel uncomfortable doing so in the beginning you can always talk about it in subsequent sessions at your own pace. Talking about your past is very helpful because more often than not, past events have an impact on the way we relate to others in the present and in the future including any relationships we form. It is not always possible for people to make the link between things that have happened in the past and what is happening at present and how they feel about their future. Therapy allows you to make the connections and recognise certain repetitive patterns of behaviour.

What happens if I do not know what to say during a session or feel uncomfortable?
Not knowing what to say during a session is perfectly normal and actually part of the therapeutic process. Silences have meaning and are a form of communication helping to inform the Therapist what might be going on in your internal world from a psychological view point. Feeling uncomfortable during the initial stage is perfectly natural and usually tends to dissipate the more comfortable you become with the sessions.

Will you judge me for the things I tell you?
Not at all. You are completely free to talk about anything that is bothering you without any fear of judgement. Talking therapies are specifically designed for this purpose. A fully qualified therapist will never judge a client because it goes against the ‘Professional Code of Ethics’. A good therapist is empathetic and completely understanding of their client’s anguish.

How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies from individual to individual. Brief therapy also known as short term counselling is usually 2 - 12 sessions. Long term counselling or psychotherapy including ‘open-ended’ therapy can be anything from 3 months onwards.

How long is each session?
Each session is 50 minutes in duration. Sessions are available mornings and evenings from Monday to Saturday. Please see ‘Fees’ above.

Is it possible for me to have regular weekly sessions?
Yes it is possible to have regular weekly sessions. These can be booked in advance and you will be able to choose a specific day and time to have your session each week depending on availability.

Can I terminate the sessions anytime I choose to?
Yes you can decide not to continue with the sessions if you feel you would prefer not to. This can sometimes happen in the beginning because there might be a psychological resistance in not wanting to deal with the problem(s) at that particular point in time. You can always decide at a later date to continue with the sessions when you are ready.