This is important question. A lot of the success between therapist and client depends on your expectations, and if you feel comfortable with your counsellor. An initial assessment helps to

1. Clarify your goals from counselling.
2. See if you feel comfortable in the environment
3. See if you feel comfortable with the therapist. It is ok, and normal, to change counsellors.

Only you can decide if this is the right time to start therapy. Talking to someone confidentially, who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference.

Confidentiality will be explained in full during the first session. Ethical guidelines which govern confidentiality in our work can be found here for counsellors, and here for counselling-psychology work. You will be given a copy of our therapeutic contract for your records.

Each therapeutic journey is unique to you. You can go to a therapy once, for a few months, or embark on long-term therapy. It is important to note that therapy is a commitment; emotionally, financially and of your time. To enable your sessions to work it is important to consider these commitments, this is explored during an initial assessment.

The fees for therapy sessions are as follows:

• Daytime Weekday Appointments: £90

• Weekday Evening Appointments (from 6 PM onwards): £100

• Weekend Appointments: £100

These rates apply to both in-person and online sessions.

*If you provide 24 hours or more notice, your session fee will be refunded. However, if less than 24 hours’ notice is given, the session will be charged in full.

If you are having a severe mental health crisis or if you are feeling suicidal please speak to emergency services (UK) call 999 and make an appointment with your GP.

A therapeutic crisis could be bereavement, relationship breakdowns, heightened anxiety, deepening of depression or shocking/unexpected news. With this in mind, the reason for booking an appointment at this point can to be to understand what is happening and why, to increase stability and reduce overwhelming feelings.

Sometimes, however, people enter therapy because of a crisis, and then find there are things that underlie the crisis. This can involve longer term work, looking at childhood experiences for answers to why certain things keep happening to you.

People also look for support in times of change. Starting university, becoming a parent, getting married or retiring from work “should” all make us happy, are you confused that you don’t feel happy about these things?

People to seek therapy for specific problems such as social anxiety, disordered eating, OCD, exam stress, trouble saying no, work problems, procrastination, relationships, depression.

Sometimes people book appointments to work on problems which seem more unclear. Often people explore personal growth and the next chapter of life. This can involve looking forward while also acknowledging lifelong issues which need a more in-depth analysis.

Confidentiality is explained in full during an initial assessment.  This service is non-judgmental and while you may hold some embarrassment about disclosing issues we hope that we can very quickly alleviate any embarrassment so as to best support any problem you may be struggling with.