• Will therapy help me?

I have a belief that therapy can help anyone. Of course the match between the therapist and the client is very important. After the first session, I as the therapist, and the client will decide together if we feel that a working relationship between us can be established.

 

•  What is your academic background and what  your training has been  to prepare you to practise as a therapist?                                                                                                                                       

I trained in London as an Attachment based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist at the Bowlby Centre and I did a Foundation course at the Minster Centre in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy.

 

• What specialized training and/or experience have you had in working with the issue I am dealing with?

I am specialised in working with survivors of abuse who suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Complex PTSD. I have worked with a large range of clients.

 

• What professional associations do you belong?

to the UKCP (The UK Council for Psychotherapy) www.psychotherapy.org.uk

and  BACP I am a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy  www.bacp.co.uk

 

• What type of therapy do you do? 

From my training and my personal experience, I learned to work in a “relational” way.

I include different approaches, depending on the situation. First, I am aware of safety and try to insure that my client feels safe with me before we start to work on any issues. The quality of the relationship between therapist and client is very important. I work from an Attachment Based perspective and from a Psychoanalytical perspective.

I may integrate other approaches, which I have I learned and practise, including working with sub-personalities, the ‘inner child’, narrative, body orientated therapies, drawing, dreams, movement, play role, supporting clients in working through the ’12 Steps’.

 

• What are your office protocols? (Booking appointments, payment for missed appointments, emergencies, obtaining access after hours, etc.)

In case of cancellation with less than 48 h. notice, the full fee of that session is due. If possible, I will offer an alternative appointment that week. If not, then 50 % of the fee will be payable.

Notice of holidays or other foreseen absences should be given with at least one week’s notice: no fees are due for missed sessions.  However, it may be necessary to change your regular appointment time. Some commitment on the part of the client is expected to attend regularly. If absences are frequent or prolonged, this take the momentum out of therapy.

 

• How many sessions will it take to resolve my issue?

It will depend on what you would want to work on and what you want to achieve.

 

• How will my confidentiality be assured?

I adhere to the UKCP and BACP code of ethics. Our conversation will be confidential, however, I regularly consult with another psychotherapist (supervisor), with whom I discuss and reflect on my work. My supervisor will keep our conversation confidential.

 

• I offer session on the telephone/Skype/Face Time….and I can meet you for an initial session one to one in London or Sussex.

I offer online and telephone sessions.

 

• What happens during the first session?

It can can offer an online or telephone session  or face to face meeting.

The first session is free.

There is no such thing as a typical therapy session. The session is time set aside for you, and what you talk about will vary according to your needs and goals. You will, though, be encouraged to share whatever is in your mind, be it thoughts, feelings, behaviours, memories, and maybe discuss what brought you to therapy in the first place.

The first session is more like a meeting where you can  decide if you want to work with me.

You have the choice to use Skype/VSee/Facetime/telephone and you can come to see me for the first session.

 

• For how long will I need counselling or therapy for?

Therapy can last from a few months to several years. Much depends on the depth and nature of the issues that you wish to work on.

However, I believe that you will know when you have reached the goals we have worked towards and feel secure enough to finish therapy.

The length of therapy will depend as well on you as an individual and the nature of your presenting issues and whether these are current or deep-rooted.  Some people like to look at themselves deeply and decide on twice weekly therapy for several years. This is very effective for entrenched trauma.

 

• How can counselling and psychotherapy can help me?

Counselling and psychotherapy can be a very effective way of transforming the way you experience yourself and the world around you. Both can help you to cope with, and make meaning of, emotional distress and relational difficulties.

I have a belief that therapy can help anyone. It is important that the match between the therapist and the client helps to facilitate changes and grows.

In brief, counselling and psychotherapy can help you to:

• Better understand your internal world and relational patterns
• Develop further insight into your distress or difficulties
• Establish a greater understanding of ‘why you do what you do’
• Discover alternative ways of coping or bringing about changes in the way you think, feel and behave 
• Feel less alone and isolated.