Talking on the phone or by email:

When we first make contact we will talk either on the phone or via email to discuss briefly what you want and to ensure I have the skills to help.

The first session:

If we agree to go ahead at our first meeting we will think together about your problem. I am likely to ask you a lot of background information so we can start to piece together the best way forward. By the end of the meeting I would aim to outline ideas about what I think is going on and give you some practical outline ideas about what to do to effect meaningful change in your life. I would also hope to help you get some immediate relief from your difficult emotions.

Remaining sessions:

From there we would, at a pace that suited you, tackle both short and longer-term difficulties. I believe deeply in the power of listening and accepting the other in a non-judgemental way and that would be the cornerstone of our work.  Through thinking together in therapy, and me supporting you in making changes outside therapy, we will work towards symptom relief and long-lasting significant change.

We will also think together about how minds work so that you will develop the skills to be your own “therapist” after therapy finishes. I will help you develop as the guardian of your own well-being.

At the end of therapy you would leave with a plan to prevent relapse and have the necessary skills to minimise the chance of emotional difficulties occurring again.

Length of treatment:

You, of course, choose this. From the first session I will be thinking about how I can help you develop the skills and confidence which will allow you to feel it’s OK to “fire” me and get on with your life with renewed purpose and optimism.

Occasionally, this happens very quickly. However, many people find that anything from eight to 18 sessions is sufficient. For those who might wish to mine deeper, perhaps into difficult early experiences, longer-term work is sometimes advisable.