How does the process work?

The work begins with a first meeting.

This allows you to discuss your needs and difficulties, see how you feel about working with me, and get a sense of what psychotherapy is like. 

During the initial assessment, we will also discuss practical arrangements (ie. fees, as well as possible regular times and days for your sessions).

After our first meeting, I usually suggest we meet for a few sessions  before deciding to engage in open-ended therapy.  This allows us to explore your request better, and to settle into the idea of open-ended therapy.

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If we feel we can work together, the regular slot(s) of your session(s) is/are yours until our arrangements change.

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Is there  fee for the first appointment?

I charge a fixed fee of £ 100 for the first meeting.

This is non-refundable, although a 24 hour policy applies if you need to reschedule the appointment.

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Is there a cancellation policy ( i.e. missed sessions ) ?

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Psychoanalysts and psychodynamic psychotherapists normally charge for all sessions that you miss, including absence caused by your holidays. I do, of course, not charge for sessions I might need to cancel.
If you are able to tell me when you are unable to keep an appointment, it is helpful to let me know and whenever possible, I will try to offer a replacement session within the same week. If rescheduling was not possible, the full fee will be payable.

Any sessions that cannot be attended in person, can be carried out online.

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Why do therapists charge for missed sessions?

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​Clients often ask their therapists why they have to charge cancellation fees for missed appointments and no shows. Most therapists ask for a weekly commitment from clients and this is why they charge a fee.

There’s always a moment in psychotherapy when the client and psychotherapist both have to confront the cancellation policy that got announced during the first sessions, then (most of the time) forgotten about as therapy commences.  This  is rarely not a powerful moment, because it’s where the boundaries of therapy become explicit rather than implicit, and sparks can tend to fly, quietly, or not.
The cancellation policies of therapists are not merely logistic, or financial in nature, but inextricably bound up in what makes therapy work.  Or, as the title points to, why therapists charging for missed sessions is not an expression of greed or not caring, but rather is part of the foundation without which therapy tends to go off the rails.

Psychotherapists will ask clients to commit to booking a regular weekly slot in order to aid the therapeutic process. They will not book anyone else during this time, hence they are holding the slot exclusively for the client. This provides consistency for the client and alleviates some of the anxiety that may be felt when undergoing therapy. When clients know that they are going to attend therapy sessions regularly, the level of commitment required helps them to push forward, facing their fears and dealing with, rather than avoiding difficult emotions.

While your reasons for missing sessions are probably very valid, the truth is that something can always come up.  There may be an underlying feeling of dread because psychotherapy can make you feel uncomfortable. Operating under the surface is the feeling that not attending your session seems like the easier option. Sometimes we would prefer to run away rather than deal with our emotions; some people would want to skip this part and not come for one or two sessions, and this can often be detrimental to them as it is disempowering and the problems are buried rather than dealt with. Having some extra motivation to go to therapy even when things get tough helps to build resilience, as with therapist's support, clients learn that they are capable of dealing with those emotions.

 

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 Is it normal to have doubts about starting therapy?

Starting therapy is potentially a big decision, which might bring changes within.

Even though we feel the need to change, it’s to be expected that another part of ourselves wants to resist change - humans have a predisposition to fear the unknown, especially if that involves feeling exposed and fragile.

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Will therapy make me feel worse before I feel better?

Therapy brings up conflicts, feelings, as well as painful memories.

The quiet, safe atmosphere of the therapist’s room works like a magnet pulling things to the surface.

Initially, after a session, it is not uncommon to experience extreme fatigue;  cloudy thinking; vengeful thoughts. You might feel weepy or angry, or not want to see your friends.​ 

You might also start becoming more aware of your dreams.

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How long do sessions last?

Sessions last 50 minutes and take place regularly with the frequency that we agree upon during the first few meetings.

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How many times per week should I come?

The minimum frequency is once weekly, but I also offer  twice and thrice weekly sessions.

Sometimes people start with weekly meetings and, as therapy goes on, feel they would benefit from the containment offered by an increased frequency. This usually allows for more intense work.

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Does therapy have breaks/ holidays?

Yes. Usually, we will have breaks during Christmas, Easter, Summer as well as Bank Holidays and occasionally half terms.

I will let you know the break dates with three or more weeks' notice.

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How much do sessions cost?

My fee structure is published here.

I review my fees yearly, usually in March, for changes (if any) to existing therapies to apply from the 1st April.

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How long does therapy last?

The therapy on offer is open-ended. It can be anything from a few months to several years.

Therapy can be stopped at any time if you wish to do so.

The only recommendation is an agreed period for us to work towards an ending rather than an abrupt stop. I ask for 6 weeks notice (at our usual frequency) to give us time to discuss endings, which are part of the process and as important as beginnings.

You can read my policies here

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What kind of accreditations/membership(s) do you have?

I am a practitioner psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist.

I am member of the following Professional Registers/ Councils, whose standards I abide by:

 

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)

• International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP)

 

 

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