FAQs about Therapy
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The terms can often be used interchangeably, but generally counselling can often be seen as shorter term and less in-depth. And psychotherapy sometimes longer and more in-depth. Counselling can also be seen as more indirect than therapy.
What issues do I bring to therapy?
People may seek therapy for all sorts of reasons from coping with traumatic events and experiences, dealing with anxiety and depression to managing harmful behaviours and emotions. Sometimes people may simply need a safe place to talk about whatever may be on their mind, and that's ok too. Please see the issues on the "About" page to see what I can help with.
How can therapy help me?
Therapy provides a safe and confidential environment with someone specifically trained to help you make sense of, understand and process your thoughts, emotions and behaviour. It may help in many ways including, improving our relationship with ourselves and others , developing more self-awareness, and improved emotional regulation. As well as developing greater self-trust, acceptance, self-compassion, self-soothing, resilience and healthier coping strategies.
How many sessions will I need?
This is agreed between us, whether shorter or longer term may be most appropriate for you and depends on the issues you are bringing. Some clients may find a few sessions helpful, and others months or years. It is reviewed jointly between us on an ongoing basis.
Do I have to talk about my past?
Therapy will be focused on the presenting issues that are happening in the ‘here and now’, it naturally happens that a big part of this is exploring and processing our experience’s which may include those from our past in as far as they relate to your current issues or goals.
What therapy approach should I choose?
People are different and so are their individual needs. There are many different approaches in therapy and that's why having an initial consultation before you start counselling is so important. During your initial consultation you can share what you'd like support with and what your hopes are for therapy, we can then discuss what approach may suit your best and go from there. I am an integrative therapist, which means that I use different approaches when working with clients depending on their particular needs.
How do I know you are the right therapist for me?
For your therapy to be effective, it is important that you feel comfortable with the therapist you work with. During our first session together we will have an opportunity to get to know each other and see how we can work together. If you then don't feel that the therapy that I offer can be a good match, that's absolutely fine, but if you'd like to continue, then we can further explore how you can make the most out of coming to therapy.
Is this confidential?
What you say in therapy is confidential . There are a few exceptions, the main one being if you were to pose danger to yourself or others. The full confidentiality policy will be covered as part of our mutual agreement during our first session together.