What to Expect from Therapy

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it's natural to have questions about what happens next. You might be wondering what your first appointment will involve, how sessions work or whether therapy is right for you.

I hope the information below gives you a little more insight into what working together might look like. Most importantly, there is no expectation to have everything figured out before you begin. We'll take things at your pace and work out what feels right for you.

Getting Started

What happens at the first appointment?

Many people come to their first appointment feeling nervous or apprehensive. I understand that seeking help can feel daunting and perhaps a little unfamiliar, but the first appointment is really about getting to know one another and working out how I can best support you.

We'll talk through some questions so I can begin to understand the challenges you're facing, but I don't expect you to share everything in the first session. It's important that we go at your pace, exploring things together as and when you feel comfortable and ready.

If you're under 18, I usually like to meet with you and your parents together initially. This gives me an opportunity to learn a little more about your early years, development and experiences, as well as hearing about all the wonderful things they love about you too! Once we've had a chance to talk, and if you feel comfortable, parents will usually leave for the latter part of the session so we can spend some time together.

Most importantly, the first session is an opportunity for me to get to know you, hear about what brings you to therapy and begin thinking together about what you would like things to look like in the future.

How long are the sessions?

Sessions are usually 50 minutes long. For an initial appointment involving parents, I usually allow 80 minutes so we have enough time to talk through the background and explore what has brought you to therapy, at a pace that feels comfortable.

Some people also prefer 80-minute sessions for ongoing therapy, as they appreciate having a little more time and space to explore things without feeling rushed.

We can talk about what feels right for you and decide together when we first meet.

During Therapy

How many sessions will I need?

This is one of the most difficult questions to answer, as everyone comes to therapy with different needs, experiences and goals. The length of time we work together will depend on what you'd like support with, what you're hoping to achieve and the pace that feels right for you.

As a general guide, I usually recommend beginning with a commitment to at least 6–8 sessions. This allows time to build a trusting therapeutic relationship, explore the difficulties you're experiencing, develop a deeper understanding and begin working towards meaningful change.

For many people, therapy is a longer-term process, and we may continue working together over several months or longer. We'll regularly review how things are going, talk about the progress you're making and decide together what feels most helpful as we go along. There is no fixed timeframe, and the aim is always to make sure the support feels meaningful and right for you.

What will we do in the sessions?

There is no single way of doing therapy, and the way we work together will depend on your needs, preferences and what feels most helpful to you. I'll always check in with you along the way so that we can find an approach that feels comfortable and right for you.

For some people, talking things through is the most helpful way to explore their thoughts, feelings and challenges. We might spend time making sense of what's happening, identifying patterns or developing practical ways to manage difficult thoughts and emotions. I may draw on approaches such as Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or mindfulness-based strategies.

As a Play Therapist, I also enjoy working creatively. Sometimes it can be difficult to put feelings into words, and using creative approaches can offer another way to express and explore what's going on. This might include activities such as sand tray work, drawing or other forms of creative expression.

Ultimately, we'll work together to find what feels most useful to you. There is no expectation to talk about everything straight away, and we'll always work at a pace that feels manageable.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is an important part of our work together, and I want you to feel safe knowing that what you share with me is treated with care and respect.

If you're under 18, your parents or carers may understandably want to know how therapy is going and whether you're making progress. I can provide general updates about how things are progressing, but I won't routinely share the personal things you've spoken about in sessions. Where appropriate, I may encourage you to share some of your thoughts or experiences with your parents, particularly as they may be able to support you between sessions. We will always try to talk this through together first.

Sometimes, it can also be helpful to work collaboratively with other professionals involved in your care, such as school counsellors, teachers, doctors or psychiatrists. This can help ensure that the support around you is joined up and that your wider wellbeing is being considered. Any routine contact or sharing of information with other professionals will only take place with your written consent, provided through a secure electronic consent form. For children and young people, consent will be obtained from the relevant parent(s) or legal guardian(s), in line with parental responsibility and the circumstances of the case.

There are, however, some situations where I may need to share information to help keep you or someone else safe. This might be if I have serious concerns about your safety or wellbeing, if you tell me that someone else may be at risk, or if I have a legal or professional obligation to disclose information.

Wherever possible, I will talk with you about this before sharing information, explain why it may be necessary and involve you in the process. Your safety and wellbeing are always my priority.

Making Therapy Work for You

What if I feel like things aren’t working for me?

Please be honest with me. Building a trusting relationship is an important part of therapy, and I want you to feel comfortable telling me how things are going, including if something isn't feeling helpful or if there's anything I'm doing that isn't quite working for you. Even if something is frustrating you or driving you a little crazy, I'd much rather we talk about it!

Therapy can sometimes feel challenging, and there may be times when exploring difficult thoughts or feelings leaves you feeling unsettled. This is a normal part of the process for some people, and we'll take time to understand what's happening and what might help.

It's also important to remember that therapy is a collaborative process. Sometimes it's about finding the right approach, making adjustments or simply giving things a little more time. At other times, you might feel that you need a break, or that a different kind of support would be more helpful. We can talk openly about this and work out the best next step together.

Above all, I want you to feel that the support you're receiving is right for you, and that you have a voice in shaping how we work together.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?

I understand that life happens and sometimes plans need to change.

If you need to cancel an appointment, I ask for at least 48 hours' notice. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice will be charged at the full session fee.

If you'd prefer to move your appointment to a different time, you can do this directly through your secure client portal, where you'll be able to view and select alternative available appointments up to 24 hours before your scheduled session. Rescheduling through the portal within this timeframe will not incur a cancellation fee.

If you need to make a change within 24 hours of your appointment, please contact me directly and I'll do my best to help where possible.

Thank you for understanding and helping me make appointments available to others who may be waiting.