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Frequently Asked Questions
> About Counselling & Psychotherapy
Because good therapy can change your life for the better, and that typically makes life easier for those around you, too.
That’s a decision for you to make, based on your attitude toward money, your financial situation and your appetite for positive change. How much would you pay to feel on top of things, calm, contented, focused?
There’s no guarantee that any treatment will work, whether it’s medical, psychological or homeopathic. I use some standard psychological measures with my clients; we typically find that they feel significantly better in themselves within 6 sessions and that this gets bedded in by session 12. Some choose to work for longer.
That’s okay. I’m used to helping clients work out what the sense of discomfort is and decide what change they would like to see. Occasionally goals can be vague or complex, and that’s okay too. They become clearer as our work unfolds.
I can’t speak for all coaches, but they tend to focus on maximising your potential. I don’t. I want you to feel in control of your life, and proud of what you have already achieved, so that any further goals you achieve are truly fulfilling.
> About working with me
The technical answer is: relational, humanistic, medium/long-term, integrative work.
In other words, if you want real human connection, additional perspective and insight, supportive challenge and optimism for change, then book a free discovery call today.
I only work with adults. Preferably face to face, but I can sometimes offer online sessions.
I don’t work with under 18s.
I don’t offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I don’t offer short-term or solution-focused therapy or tell you what to do.
I don’t diagnose neurodivergent conditions or mental health conditions, but am happy to explore your concerns about these and discuss whether you want to see a clinical psychologist for official diagnosis. I have a neuro-affirmative attitude and a special interest in ADHD. I will always try to accommodate your needs and can signpost you to some great specialist resources.
I don’t work with couples or families yet – strictly one person only. But we can explore the dynamics of your relationships with others. Many clients find this very helpful.
I don’t offer a crisis response service – you can’t rely on me in an emergency, because my phone is often switched off. But we can discuss putting other support in place for you, if we need to, to work together safely.
My first priority is your emotional stability, so we don’t discuss your problems or past in detail, just a basic outline of what you are struggling with. I will ask some questions, simply to find out how you are affected in your daily life and what change you'd like to see.
I then explain to you a little bit about how I work and how that might fit with your issue. If I realise I can’t help you, or that you’re better off with a specialist, or a different type of therapy, I’ll be honest about this.
Then we choose: do you want to work with me? If so, I’ll book you in. If not, I'll be happy to help you decide how to find a better match for you.
We’ll start by agreeing how we will work together, covering our relationship, confidentiality, your safety/stability and the basics of how to book, pay, cancel, etc.
Next we go through some standard therapy questionnaires, for us to get a benchmark of how you are coping at the moment, including assessing risk. We'll also identify your aims for therapy. This gives us something to measure progress against over time.
Once this is in place, we'll move to the info-gathering stage. You get to choose how much detail to go into as you answer questions about your context, psychological history and key life experiences. This process can last several sessions, and many clients find this process of telling their story - and being heard and supported - very therapeutic.
Starting therapy is daunting. If you have any specific questions before we meet, I'm happy to answer these briefly on email beforehand, so that you can mentally prepare yourself.
Most clients tell me that they leave their first session feeling hopeful and a little bit relieved.
Yes. I practice out of different locations, currently Clifton Moor, (York) and in Tadcaster. I always insist that my rooms are wheelchair accessible. That said, there is no disabled parking space nearby, so please let me know in advance if you have any accessibility requirements, e.g. need accompanying from the car park, want to bring a service dog with you, etc. I'll do my best to accommodate.
I find counselling better face to face than online. I just find it easier to attune to clients who are in the room with me, and it seems easier and quicker for us to make a connection, or 'therapeutic alliance', which is the most important ingredient for effective psychotherapy.
Counselling in Clifton Moor, York on Mondays and Fridays
Counselling sessions in Tadcaster on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
I do also offer some online counselling sessions to ensure I am accessible for those who can't leave the house, or for those occasions when my clients need more flexibility.
about free discovery calls
session 1 what to expect in face to face counselling
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