Frequently Asked Questions

How do sessions work?

Typically, therapy sessions are one-to-one conversations between a client and a therapist, each lasting around 50 minutes. The time essentially belongs to the client, who can talk about whatever they wish, but the therapist will aim to guide the client towards new learning.  Everything discussed in sessions will remain confidential.

We are specially trained to understand you, without judgement and respond to you genuinely, honestly, and in ways that help you work on and address your own issues in positive and practical ways. We don’t just “listen and nod yet we do not “diagnose,” “advise” or “tell you what to do”. Our role is to help clients to empower themselves.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that looks at how we think (our thoughts, beliefs and attitudes) affect our feelings and our actions or behaviours. It combines cognitive therapy (examining the things you think) and behaviour therapy (examining the things you do).​ 

By making links between what we do, think and feel, CBT can help us to understand what might be causing or maintaining negative moods or patterns.​ CBT offers a better understanding of cognition and how thought patterns can lead to distress and unhelpful behaviors. It can then provide people with the "tools" and coping skills to identify and adapt thoughts for improved mood. CBT has a reputation for being one of the best evidence-based practices available. It is well known for its efficacy and short-term, goal-oriented approach.

Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy right for me?

Before beginning sessions, each client can be offered a free initial telephone consultation. The purpose of this call is to get an overall idea of what the main issues are that you would like to bring to therapy, and establish whether CBT is right for you. This will also give clients the opportunity to ask any specific questions they have about what sessions might involve.

What can I expect?

CBT is often referred to as being goal-focused as it can help individuals to define goals, plan ways to accomplish them and learn how to handle any obstacles along the way.

Depending on your problem and how much you put in to changing your thoughts and behaviours, you can often achieve or make significant progress in a relatively short number of sessions. We encourage individuals to take an active role in their therapy, both during and in-between sessions, in order to get the most of their therapy.

There is an emphasis on self-help. As opposed to more traditional approaches that just involve “talking”, CBT focuses on the acquisition of skills and techniques, so that the individual leaves feeling more equipped at facing problems, and are essentially able to manage and help themselves better in the future.

How long will it take?

There is no set period over which a client must have therapy to experience positive outcomes. It is common for clients to feel some relief after just a session or 2, and rare, but not unheard of, for clients to feel they have resolved a trouble in a single session. If you are new to therapy it is safer to assume that you may require 6 or more regular, weekly sessions before you experience such things or they might run their course. Since therapy relies on a client experiencing the benefits of being in a good therapeutic relationship, characterised by the therapist's understanding of, acceptance of, and genuineness towards them, typically it can take several sessions for the therapist and client to build such a close and trusting relationship and for clients to then experience benefits from that relationship. Again, therapy is very much a joint venture dependent on both the particular therapist and the particular client. Some clients remain in therapy for years, some for weeks or months, and some decide very quickly it is not for them. Therapy normally ends when a client feels they no longer need it. This said, it is not the intention that clients should become dependent on a therapist or counsellor or become involved with long-term therapy if it is not right for them. We are ethically obliged to regularly take stock of whether or not continuing therapy is in your best interests. You can be assured that we will conduct such reviews regularly, either with you or else outside of your sessions between ourselves.

What are your fees?

Payment Methods?

We accept payments by transfer in advance, or by cash on the day. 
Please contact us using the form on this website, stating your preferred therapy method (face-to-face, video calling, or telephone sessions, etc.), preferred times/days, and if you wish a very brief summary of why you are approaching us.
For enquiries about payment options, please provide as much information as you can using the form on this website.

Cancellations?

We try to accommodate clients’ wishes when life gets in the way and bookings may need to me moved or missed. However, because our bookings are made on a first come basis, and late cancellations mean neither we nor other clients may be able to make use of an appointment slot, we charge up to the full fee for all sessions cancelled at less than 24 hours notice.