Introductory call
I offer a 20-minute phone call to see whether I am the best fit for you or your child and how I can best support you. If I believe a different type of therapy would be better suited to your needs, I will let you know and if I can make a recommendation.
Child/ Adolescent Pre-therapy Parent Session
With child and adolescent clients, I meet with parents/carers for an initial session to talk more about what your concerns may be for your child, explore the challenges they (and potentially you may be facing) and what your hopes are from therapy. As this initial session forms part of the needs assessment for your child, I will also ask about your child’s life and developmental history, and family background, as well as gather information about what they are like and enjoy doing. This helps me build a picture of what may be going on for them and also inform how I may work with them.
We will agree a review session after 6-8 weeks. We will also discuss whether we will aim for a finite number of sessions, or whether you prefer for the therapy to be open-ended for the time being.
First session (Adults)
In our first session, we will talk more about the therapy that I offer and what has brought you to therapy. We will explore the challenges that you may be facing and what you seek from therapy. It usually forms part of my assessment of your needs so that I can reflect on how to manage our sessions together. We will usually agree a review period and whether we will aim for a finite number of sessions, or whether you prefer for the therapy to be open-ended for the time being.
First session (Children/Adolescents)
Therapy is one-to-one and so parents are not usually permitted into the therapy room. I usually hold the pre-therapy parent meeting in the same therapy room so that you can get a feel for what your child may experience. In our first session, I will introduce myself and talk a bit about what therapy is for. I will make sure that they understand the (few) rules that we have in the therapeutic space and that I am there to help and support them. We might play or they may make a piece of art, which will be kept in their therapy folder until therapy end.
What happens in therapy?
With any client, whatever age, the first few sessions form part of the assessment process. These sessions are also part of building trust between us and I am careful to go gently at your pace throughout therapy. With children and adolescents we may play, or use arts and crafts to explore aspects of their experience as we get used to each other and the client begins to use the materials in the room. With adults, I will listen to whatever you may bring to the therapeutic space for exploration and seek to help you make sense of your experience. I may offer arts based interventions and/ or mindfulness techniques depending on your needs and interests.
What does it feel like?
Regardless of the type of therapy, research evidence has shown time and time again that the most effective aspect of successful therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Empathy, non-judgement, congruence and authenticity, being held in mind and attuned to are all important.
I am an open, congruent, and warm person, and work relationally. Whilst the therapeutic relationship has boundaries, and unlike other relationships personal information is only shared ‘one-way’ from client to therapist, therapeutic relationships often feel meaningful and holding. My practice is person-centred, meaning that I am non-directive unless there is a robust clinical reason for bringing in specific intervention e.g., mindfulness or grounding techniques, CBT. I believe in bringing myself into the therapy room.
Therapy is a dedicated space that is solely for you, on the same day, at the same time each week. It is protected time for you to bring whatever it is you would like to explore or reflect on together. If you are an adult, we will sit on comfortable chairs sitting opposite each other. Children and adolescents will have the option of sitting and/or moving around the room accessing the play and art materials. For children I adopt a PACE-ful approach (playful, accepting, curious, empathic).
Duration of therapy
Your or your child’s therapy may be short-term or long-term, depending on our discussions and the initial assessment. Sessions last for 50 minutes and are usually weekly. Sessions that are shorter in length may be more appropriate for children under 6. I do not offer sessions in between our allotted time-slots due to other commitments.
Reflective parenting sessions
Following our introductory call, we will decide together in our first session how many reflective parenting sessions feel appropriate for the challenges you may be facing. As a guide, I usually offer 6 sessions, however with some clients I have worked with for shorter or longer. Reflective parenting sessions are not therapy but often include a therapeutic element as we will think about your own process in relation to your child and, if you are open to it, your own experience of being parented in your family of origin.
Fees
The cost of each session is £80.00 and I invoice monthly in advance. Payment is via bank transfer.
I do offer a limited number of concessionary rates, depending on individual circumstances.