
What is therapy?
Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is a type of treatment that helps people change unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
How does therapy work?
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process based on the relationship between client and therapist. Grounded in dialogue and using creative tools, including visualisations and dream work, I support you to talk openly in a confidential, neutral and non-judgmental environment. I will support you on your unique path to identify and change personal growth, self-discovery, and to recognise and change the thought and behaviour patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.
Why start therapy?
The demands of modern life on ourselves can be relentless, and we can find ourselves feel disconnected from ourselves, the people around us, and from what we really want. Therapy is a space to explore your true feelings, whether painful or delightful, become aware of unhelpful patterns that you may repeatedly find yourself in, and work towards more alignment of your inner needs and wants and your outer world.
What type of therapy is best for me?
There is no secret method, no magical, hidden mysterious process of twiddling with the controls of the mind or improving mental health. While the most important aspect of therapy is the relationship that you and I will build, therapy takes into account an enormous amount of accumulated theory and knowledge from different schools of thought about how we behave.
You may also want to refer to general guides such as
Types of talking therapy – NHS
What type of therapy is right for me? | Nuffield Health
Types of talking therapy – Mind
Is therapy for me?
It takes courage to look at ourselves. There are many misconceptions about and myths around therapy and you may wonder whether it is for you.
Psychotherapy varies according to the personalities of you and the psychotherapist and the particular problems and issues you want to bring and work through. It calls for active and often brave participation on your part. The process of therapy often involves discussing and experiencing uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness or helplessness. I work in a style that encourages you to bring these feelings and any others you may be experiencing to your sessions, so that they can be understood in the context of the work and our therapeutic relationship.
What is expected of me in therapy?
Therapy requires the courage to commit to weekly meetings, honesty, reflection, and perseverance. But daring to openly express our thoughts and feelings, confronting our fears, and finding our unique strengths and inner resources can have a positive impact on the quality of your life, including your sense of self, confidence and self-worth, break the cycle, and ultimately help us deal with life’s challenges.
How long does it take before I will see improvements or feel better?
Psychotherapy can very often lead to better relationships, solutions to specific problems and significant reductions in feelings of distress and anxiety, although there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
The time it takes to see results can depend on factors like the severity of your symptoms, your personal commitment to the process, and your relationship with your therapist. If you are dealing with long-standing or complex issues, it may take longer to see substantial improvements compared to someone with more acute concerns.
Is therapy confidential?
What you discuss with me is confidential and private. However, you need to be aware of the few exceptions to this. There are some situations in which I am obliged to take action to protect others or you from harm, even if I have to reveal some information about your therapy. These include:
- Should you or your partner or significant other, telephone, or otherwise contact me, to inform me of suicidal or homicidal intentions, I reserve the right to contact the emergency services. In the first instance, your family/friend should contact 999.
- If during a session, I believe that you are expressing intention to harm yourself or another person or are unable to take responsibility for your actions due to mental illness, I will take appropriate action, seek professional guidance, and/or contact your GP. As far as possible, I will attempt to seek your permission before taking such action but may have to do so without it to ensure your safety.
- To aid me with my work with you I write notes which are securely stored. If compelled by a court, I may be required to disclose information of any notes I may keep for a court case.
- As part of professional ethics, I attend regular supervision, where I discuss our work but do not share your identity, with a qualified psychotherapist, who works in the capacity of a supervisor. My supervisor is also bound by professional code of ethics regarding confidentiality.
Where does therapy take place?
Face-to-face therapy takes place in a Central London location (Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education – The Place for Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy).
By agreement, where meeting in person is not possible, therapy is also available by Zoom.
What if I need urgent help
If you are worried about immediate risk of harm to self or others, please visit your nearest A&E department or call the emergency services on 999. If you are not in immediate risk but would like support and advice, please visit your GP. You can also contact the following services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: NHS Helpline (111) and the Samaritans (116123).
NHS Urgent Help for Mental Health: www.nhs.uk
For more information, please visit www.samaritans.org