What happens after I book an appointment?

Once the first appointment has been booked I will send you a client information and consent form. This gives me a little more information about you and your background, and any provides me with anything you wish to share before our first session about what brings you to therapy.

If the appointment is for an under 18 year old, this form will be sent to parents to gain consent for therapy. If over 18 years you can complete this form yourselves without parental permission.

What to expect at the first appointment?

Many people come to the first appointment feeling nervous or apprehensive. I understand that coming to seek help can be daunting and a feels a little strange, but the first appointment is about working out how I can support you best. We will go through some questions so that I can understand some of the challenges a little more, but I don’t expect you to share everything in the first session. It’s important to go at your pace with what you feel comfortable with, and to explore things together as you feel ready to do so.

If you’re under 18 years old I usually like to meet with you and your parents together at first, to get a little more detail from them on things like your birth and early years, if you had any illnesses or developmental difficulties when you were younger, as well as hearing about the wonderful things that they love about you too! Once we’ve got a few more details, and if you feel comfortable, then parents usually leave for the latter part of the session.

The important part about the first session is that I get to know you a little, hear about what brings you to therapy, and to figure out some goals together about how you’d things to be in the future.

How long are the sessions?

Sessions are usually for 50 minutes, but if it’s the first session and you are bringing your parents along then we usually meet for 80 minutes to give us chance to have time to talk through all that you feel comfortable in sharing.

Some people prefer to book 80 minute sessions as they find that the time runs away really quickly for them, and they prefer to have a little more time and space to explore things.

We can discuss what feels right for you when you make the first appointment.

How many sessions will I need?

This is the most difficult question to answer in therapy as everyone has different needs and will work at their own pace.

I generally say to expect between 8-12 sessions, in order for us to be able to explore some of the challenges you may be facing, but some people find they have made some progress after 6 sessions and feel ok to work on things on their own for a while, whilst others may want to continue with sessions for a number of months. We will review how things are going regularly, and decide on next steps together throughout the course of the sessions though.

What will we do in the sessions?

I work using different methods and will always check in with you on what feels right for you.

For some people they prefer to concentrate on talking therapies and like to have time to explore their thoughts and challenges by talking things through together. I may suggest using some tools and strategies during the sessions from therapeutic methods such as Solution Focussed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or using some mindfulness tools to help navigate some difficult thoughts and feelings as they arise.

As a Play Therapist I also like to work in a creative way too. This can be helpful when it feels difficult to voice or verbalise what you may be feeling, using things like Sand Tray Therapy and drawing.

What to do if I feel like the therapy isn’t working, or I’d like to take a break?

Please be honest with me.

I will work hard to establish a trusting relationship with you from the start, but if there is anything I am doing in sessions that is not working, or is driving you crazy, then please let me know.

It’s also important to say that things can sometimes feel like they’re getting worse, before they get better. Therapy is hard work and you’re not always going to feel like coming, BUT, even on those days there will be progress even it if feels hard at the time.

Sometimes it comes down to personalities, though, and it’s really important that the support you’re getting is right for you. If you feel like my approach is not working then do let me know so I can support you in finding the right help.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes. All sessions are confidential, regardless of age.

If you’re under 18 years old then your parents may want updates on how the therapy is going and any progress that is being made, but I wont share things that you have said directly from our sessions. I will give an overview and I may suggest, at times, that you share some of your thoughts and challenges with them as they are likely to be able to support you in between our sessions as well, but this will always be something we talk through together first.

The only time I would need to break your confidentiality, regardless of age, is if I think you, (or you tell me something about someone you know) are in danger. It could be that you are hurting yourself or are having suicidal thoughts for example, and we need to make sure that you are safe and have support in between the sessions. This is also something I will also discuss with you before talking to someone else so it will never be a surprise to hear from this someone else.

What if I need to cancel a session?

No problem at all, life happens and things come up that we weren’t expecting.

We can always reschedule a session time if you cant make it, I just ask that you give me 24 hours notice so that I can be available to someone else if they need the time.

Any cancellations made within 24 hours will be charged, so please let me know as soon as you can if you cant make it.

Any more questions? Drop me a line and feel free to ask anything I may have missed.

I look forward to hearing from you.