Before coming to see me for the first time you may have some questions about the appointment and what you can expect. Below are some that I am frequently asked. If they do not answer any concerns you have, feel free to contact me.
What happens at a first appointment?
At a first appointment, we will meet to briefly outline and discuss the issues that have led you to contact me. We will then work together to agree the best way forward. We can agree to a set number of sessions or have an open-ended way of working.
How much will it cost?
The cost of sessions is between £65 – £80 per 50 minute session. This can be paid by bank transfer or cash.
How will we work together?
As an integrative psychotherapist, I combine elements from different schools in my approach, including psychodynamic, humanistic, existential, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness. The approach I will use will be tailored to the issues you want to work with and your preferences in working style (for example, you might want a more directive approach with exercises to carry out, or you might want sessions to be more exploratory)
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is what is known as a ‘talking therapy’ in which you can explore your feelings and emotions with a trained professional. Through these explorations, your therapist will help you to gain insight into your issues and enable you to make changes in your life. As psychotherapy sessions are confidential, you will be able to talk about feelings and issues that you might not be comfortable talking about elsewhere. However, doing this requires a trusting relationship with your therapist. Therefore, choosing the right therapist for you, one you feel comfortable with and able to trust, is an important factor in psychotherapy.
How does psychotherapy differ from counselling?
Psychotherapy and counselling are interrelated, but different activities. Counselling, while also a talking therapy, is aimed at working with a specific issue, in which the counsellor will help you find ways to cope with the problem or view it from a different perspective. Psychotherapy, while encompassing counselling techniques, will enable you to work at a deeper level and examine your place in the world and how your issues affect you at all levels. Psychotherapists can also help you with difficult mental health conditions and can work in a short-term or long-term way.
What is existential psychotherapy?
Existential psychotherapy works with how you position yourself in the world and how you view the world and those around you. You may find yourself preoccupied with questions relating to meaning and purpose, such as:
- What is my purpose?
- Why is there no meaning in my life?
- Why do I feel so isolated and alone?
- What is my relationship towards my own mortality?
- How can I express my spiritual or religious feelings in a society that may not accommodate them?
These ‘big’ questions can be there in the background, giving us a sense of unease or disconnection from life. Facing these issues can be hugely rewarding and can impact all areas of our life, how we view the world around us and how we relate to others.