FAQ

The first session is a chance to meet each other and see if you feel we could work together, it is important that you feel safe and comfortable with your therapist. There will be time to ask any questions or concerns you may have. It can take time to find the right counsellor for you, you may wish to talk to several counsellors before making your choice and this is completely fine.

I trained as a psychodynamic therapist, this means I sensitively help you look at how past experiences may be unconsciously impacting your current life and behaviours. Psychodynamic counselling endeavours to get to the root cause of your problems and address the symptoms and emotions they bring up for you now. Psychodynamic therapy can help you reconsider and reconnect with your past in a meaningful way. It gives you a safe space to consider how formative experiences might influencing your relating patterns now, giving you opportunities to consider ways to adapt and change. It is always your choice what you talk about, as your therapist it is my job listen and support you whether you wish to look at your past or explore an issue that is troubling you right now.

Yes, within the therapeutic room all that is said remains confidential. There are certain disclosures, for instance those relating to terrorism, female genital mutilation or where a child is at risk where confidentiality would need to be broken. This can be discussed when we meet if you have any concerns.

Once or twice weekly, usually at the same time each week.

Brief or short-term counselling usually provides support for a particular issue or situation, perhaps a job loss, a relationship breakdown or a bereavement. Typically, this would be between 12 and 24 weekly sessions. Longer term counselling gives clients the opportunity to work on deeper issues with more time to work in depth. It is my job to help you identify issues and patterns of behaviour and work with you to understand how you came to be having difficulties. We can talk about how many counselling sessions you might need at the first session or at any point once we have started. You are always free to leave at any time.

The session fee is £85. Sessions are usually once or twice weekly and 50 minutes in length.

Payments can be made via Bank Transfer, electronic invoice (this is emailed to you with a link to pay by card) or cash. You will always be provided with a receipt.

 Each session lasts 50 minutes. Sessions start and finish on time, this means if you arrive late you can still make use of the rest of the session, but we will finish on time.

I make use of regular supervision with a qualified supervisor who are themselves a therapist. Supervision is where I discuss my clinical work to ensure I offer the best possible support to my clients.

I have worked with clients in a variety of settings…

• A domestic violence charity with women who have experienced a variety of challenging domestic abuse and with children who have been in a household where abuse was witnessed.
• In both primary and senior schools with children experiencing a range of emotional difficulties.
•  A hospice with clients approaching the end of their lives and their families both pre and post bereavement.
•  In a general counselling charity offering support for a wide range of emotional distress

We can discuss this when we meet, some clients like to work on an open-ended basis this means they come each week until they feel they wish to stop, others prefer to come for a set 12 or 24 sessions. You are free to stop at any point should you wish. 

Learn more about finding and choosing a counsellor or psychotherapist  here.

• Work-related problems, exploitation or discrimination.
• Problems in relationships
• Questions about sexual identity.
• Interested in learning more about and improving myself.
• Problems around supporting children.
• Life just does not seem as worthwhile anymore.
• Sharing a secret which has never been shared.
• Confusion about the future or life path.
• Lack of confidence.
• Loss of identity after becoming a parent, or after retirement.

Counselling is more successful if you develop a connection with your therapist, it is through trust and connection that the therapy is more likely to work. If you feel something is not working, or there is something you are not happy with, it is important that you tell me so I can do my best to support you in a way that you find helpful.

It is normal and expected when working though something difficult or painful to feel worse before you feel better. It is important we work at a pace you can manage. You are always in control of what you bring to therapy and it is my job to support you through difficult periods.

• Therapy can help you understand how your past might be affecting the present.
• Counselling can also help you improve your self-esteem and confidence.
• Therapy can help you understand yourself more.
•  Counselling can help you understand how you communicate and connect in relationships, leading to better relationships in your life.
• Therapy can help support you in difficult periods of your life.

I see clients in Bromley,  London Borough of Bromley. Ideally located for South East London and North West Kent. See my Contact page for more information.

NHS provision for therapy is generally limited (typically 4-6 sessions) and can have long waiting lists. Seeing a private counsellor like myself gives you more flexibility in terms of choosing a therapist you like, location and time slots that suit, as well as choosing how long you seek support for. Your sessions are entirely private and do not appear on your medical records.

No. It is entirely up to you what you talk about. The past often comes up but how much and how often you wish to focus on your present life or your history is up to you.

I view therapy as self care. It is neither selfish or indulgent to spend one hour of your week focusing just on you, your thoughts and feelings. It can also help us think more clearly and manage outside of the therapy room in our daily lives. Many people spend an hour or two a week in the gym to look after their bodies, counselling allows you to care in a similar way to your mind and mental health.

Therapy can be face to face, video link (Zoom)  or telephone or a combination where required.

I do not currently offer home visits.

Face to face clinics are held according to the highest Covid safety guidelines in Bromley, London Borough of Bromley(BR1). Alternatively you may prefer to have therapy over Zoom video or telephone.