FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What type of issues can counselling and therapy help me with
- Anxiety (generalised anxiety problems, panic attacks & social anxiety)
- Workplace issues (stress, work-life imbalances)
- Relationship issues (breakups, affairs, loneliness, life adjustments, marital problems, jealousy and money related issues)
- Depression (including suicidal thoughts, low mood, social withdrawal)
- Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
- Sexual problems (impotence, internet/pornography/sex addiction, loss of desire)
- Trauma (including post-traumatic stress disorder from accidents and incidents)
- Obsessive-compulsive (phobias and fears)
- Addiction and substance misuse
- Abuse (including physical, verbal, and sexual abuse)
- Bereavement/grief/loss.
What can I expect from therapy how do I know what is the best approach
Don’t worry if you are simply not sure what particular approach would be suited to you. Your first appointment will be an assessment where you can discuss your issues and the different types of therapy that might help. I work in an ‘integrative’ way, meaning they are trained in several types of therapy they can blend to best match your issues. However my work draws very much from the work and thinking of Carl Jung and the psychodynamic models, and with some of the solution focussed work, drawing on the tradition of transactional analysis and CBT.
We will work once a week whether the training or therapy and this will be for 50 minutes. The same day and time slot will be allocated and this will be your designated time.
Some times at the first session I might refer you to a colleague who I think is better placed to work with you based on the issue that is shared or available times.
What can I expect from the first session
We will look to discuss the presenting issue, that is to say, what problem has brought you into therapy and during the first session this allows you to assess if you feel we can work together and also we can discuss how therapy might help.
The first session is at no cost to you.
At the second or third session we would do an assessment which includes taking a history of key events in your life and information regarding the presenting issue.
What is the difference between counselling, psychotherapy and personal resilience training
This is an area that many people have different answers. The way I see it is that counselling is often looking at an issue causing emotional distress that is very present such as anger management or a psycho sexual problem. The issue is very defined. Psychotherapy is perhaps a more in-depth approach and whilst counselling also looks at influences from the past such as childhood, psychotherapy looks at broader issues such as identity, who am I going to become and how they find meaning and purpose in life.
The personal resilience training is a more structured approach and draws on practical models and work of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT and Transactional Analysis TA, but these models may not necessary ask the client to delved into childhood though this is ever present. It is very much focussed on an everyday or work challenges that needs to be overcome. I also draw on the new and exciting area of Neuroscience and how this helps better understand how the brain work and influences our thinking.
What is CBT and EMDR
These are services we can discuss at the first session and if relevant to you. A link to accessible information;
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/bottoms/201611/what-is-cbt
https://www.healthline.com/health/emdr-therapy
What are your qualifications
I am qualified and accredited with both the UKCP and BACP, who are leading professional bodies in the UK for counselling and psychotherapy. Consequently I adhere to the ethical framework of these organisations, for the BACP framework see https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions.
My BACP membership number 00603703 and UKCP membership and registration number 08160253). I completed an accredited training in counselling and psychotherapy, which was at CCPE and graduated in 2002. Since then I have completed a psycho sexual post graduate training.
More recently I completed an accredited training in EMDR with Alexandra (Sandi) Richman who is an Accredited Trainer and Accredited Consultant in EMDR. Her accredited trainings are fully approved by EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and EMDR-Europe Association (EMDR-E). Ms Richman was trained by Dr Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR,
Sandi was trained by Dr Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR, in the early 1990’s and has used EMDR within her own practice for over 23 years
I am supported by a clinical supervisor who provides guidance and support as necessary they are a qualified member of the UKCP.
How does confidentiality work
Our work is confidential and as part of this initial work we will sign a client agreement and a data protection document that covers the new measures governing GDPR in May 2018. The work we do is confidential and please see my confidentiality agreement below which outlines this in more detail.
How do I know that I am finished with therapy?
With most clients we set goals for what the therapy might be, sometimes it might to imagine yourself in 6 or 12 months, what would people experience, how would be dressed or handling yourself at work or with family. We will do periodic review, every quarter, and have this initial work at hand.
Sometimes we will discuss and agree that the work is complete, or you might have that decision.
Do you work electronically if I work abroad at times
I offer work via Zoom or FaceTime, for existing clients. For the Personal Resilience training this could be delivered via electronic method.