What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
It may be that you are looking for emotional support around a particular event or issue. This may be more focused short term work, which is termed counselling.
You may not be clear what is troubling you or you may have experienced long term feelings of depression, anxiety and unhappiness. This will be longer, open ended work and is termed Psychotherapy.
The link below has a good description of the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy.
The difference between counselling and psychotherapy
What can I expect on my first visit?
An initial consultation is an opportunity for you to ask questions and will give you a feel of the way I work.
It will allow us to explore whether I am the right therapist for you and if the therapeutic approach suits your needs.
It will give us the opportunity to explore what your hopes are from seeking therapy and an idea of whether you are looking for short term counselling or longer term psychotherapy. The consultation session costs £50 and lasts 50 minutes.
What can I expect from future sessions?
In future sessions I will not ask so many questions. This will allow you to bring the issues that are most concerning you each week and for you to lead the direction the session takes. It is my responsibility to reflect back any issues that I feel it is important for us to explore and to support you in finding links in past and present life which in turn will help us to understand what is going on for you internally.
How often would we meet and how long will the sessions be?
It is important that we meet weekly to build up a trusting relationship and to give stability and continuity to the work. We will agree a regular time and day.
A session is 50 minutes long.
What happens if I am not happy with how the work is going?
It is important that I am the right therapist for you and that the psychodynamic approach suits your needs. If at any time during the work you feel that this is not the case we can explore how you feel and it may be that you wish not to continue. Bringing difficulties in the work to discuss in sessions can strengthen the trusting therapeutic relationship between client and therapist.
How much do you charge and how do I pay?
I charge £50 a session. I can reduce my fees for students and those on a low income. Please contact me to discuss this.
Payment can be made in cash or can be transferred directly into my account. If a block of sessions is paid for in advance I can give a £2 discount and charge £48 a session.
What if I need to cancel a session?
I have a weeks cancellation policy.
If I am given less than a weeks notice of a cancellation but more than 24 hours' notice I charge half of the cost of a session.
If notice is less than 24 hours I charge the full price of the missed session.
Any further questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact me by email or telephone if you have any further questions.
Useful links
Multi-ethnic counselling
Counselling directory
BACP directory
Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered counselling
Lesbian therapists
