Before You Start Therapy…
I’m going to tell you the same thing I tell my friends when they’re looking for a therapist. There are a lot of different therapeutic approaches, and a lot of different therapists out there, and not everyone and every approach will be the right fit for you! To help in your search, I’d recommend thinking about two questions:
- 1) What am I hoping to work on or “get out” of therapy? (Do you want a space to talk and process with someone who will mostly listen? Do you want practical tools to help with specific things? Etc.)
- 2) At the end of this therapy journey, how will you know it’s been a success? (What will have changed? What will be different? What will you have learned? Etc.)
If you give some thought to those questions before starting therapy, you’ll likely have an easier time finding a therapist who is a good fit for you, and feel that your therapy sessions are more helpful!
My Background
My foundational training is in Person-Centred Counselling. This means I believe you are the expert on all things you, and I view my job as one of coming alongside you to help you process, heal, and grow. I believe all people have the capacity for growth and change, especially if they’re given a non-judgmental, empathic space to do so. I work in an eclectic way, which means that I pull from many therapeutic modalities in my work. I have additional training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO-DBT), and trauma-informed care. I also draw heavily on my background in psychology to provide evidence-based psychoeducation (information to help you better understand mental health and wellbeing) around topics you may bring to therapy. My approach and the tools I may offer are rooted in evidence-based practice.
My Approach
Let me tell you a bit about how I am in therapy sessions. My counselling style is warm, authentic, and genuine. Your sessions will be 100% about you, and I welcome you wherever you may be emotionally and mentally during each session. I often incorporate a mix of humour, metaphors, pop culture references, examples, and psychoeducation during sessions to help you find greater understanding. It is my desire to help you move through anything that has you feeling stuck to find healing and growth.
As for the more practical bits, each session will be unique to what you need on that particular day. I recommend committing to 4 sessions to start, although there is no set number of sessions that I offer, as it is entirely up to you and your individual journey. Each session is 50 minutes long. We’ll check in each week to see how you’re feeling and whether you’d like to continue. I find that it’s usually best to start with weekly sessions, as it allows us to build a relationship and start making progress on whatever has brought you to therapy, although this is flexible, as well. Sessions are £75 each, though I do have a very limited number of pay-what-you-can spots available for those in university or in the midst of significant life transitions.
Online Portal
I use a GDPR & HIPAA compliant online platform called Cliniko to store all client information and to book appointments. This is where our video sessions will take place if you’re an online client, as the sessions are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring the highest standard of privacy and confidentiality. Cliniko will also send appointment confirmation and reminder emails. Cliniko can be accessed through a web browser, so rest assured this will not be yet another app you have to download.
Professional Standards
I am also a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). This means that I have met their standards of training, and that I currently meet their recommended quality standards. The BACP also requires that I engage in continued learning and trainings each year, which ensures that I am offering an up-to-date evidence-based practice. You can rest assured that I offer a high level of proviciency and adhere to the BACP code of ethics (found here), ensuring that you are in competent, safe hands. Additionally, should you have any concerns about my practice that you are uncomfortable sharing with me directly, you can seek confidential guidance through the BACP directly to help resolve your concern (here).
