How do we begin?
The first step:
You can contact me by phone or email and if it is not convenient to talk at that point we will arrange another time to speak together. It will be helpful for you to tell me something about what has prompted you to make contact with me and you can ask any questions you may have Whilst we are talking together we will decide whether we would like to make arrangements to meet and if so we will find a mutually agreeable time for an initial appointment.
If we agree to meet:
Individual sessions are arranged in advance and where possible I would offer you a time that is suitable for you either daytime or evening. Sessions can be booked in Brockley at The Sunflower Centre on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Currently there are no appointments available at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE) near Paddington but please contact me if you would like to be on my waiting list. I have a cancellation policy and I ask that a minimum of two days notice is given if you have to cancel a session and I will charge half the cost of the session if less than 48 hours notice is given.
Our initial session costs a fixed rate fee of £30 and thereafter £40 – £60 per session according to what you can afford. Each session lasts for 50 minutes.
First session:
Initially we might agree to meet for one assessment session where there is no commitment for either of us beyond this one session. By experiencing what it is like to be in a room together exploring personal issues it will become clear whether we feel that we are able to work together constructively which is an essential component of a therapeutic relationship.
What to expect on the first session:
It is normal to feel nervous and a bit lost on a first meeting with a therapist and it can take time to build a really trusting relationship but you will know by mid way through our first session whether you feel comfortable enough to want to continue working with me. If we carry on together we will have defined an overview of the work we intend to do together and I usually suggest that you commit to a series of six sessions although this is open to negotiation. After a series of sessions we then review the progress we have made and decide whether to continue meeting.
Length of contact:
We can meet for a fixed number of sessions and focus on a specific issue, or open ended and fluid in exploring whatever arises as a tool of self discovery and personal development. Longer term work with a therapist would be regarded as psychotherapy and it is likely that we would work at a deeper level than with a shorter term agreement.
Finding out more:
I am always happy to discuss any questions you may have on the phone and there is never any pressure from me to take things any further or to meet – it is your choice entirely.