Psychotherapy and Trauma Counselling

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do we get started?
  After your initial contact by email or telephone we agree to meet for an initial assessment session at my practice. Assessment sessions last from one to one and a half hours and are an opportunity to talk about yourself, your current difficulties and any questions you have.This is also a chance for us to decide whether we shall be working together and what other options are appropriate for you. You may wish to take some time to reflect before deciding to go ahead.
  
  
• How long is each session?
  Sessions are 55 minutes.
  
  
• How often should I attend?
  It is important to attend regularly and frequently enough to build a solid therapeutic relationship. This is discussed and agreed mutually.
  
  
• Where is your practice located?
  
  The practice is located at the Hope Street Centre in Sandbach, 10 Hope Street, Sandbach, CW11 1BA. The Hope Street Centre
  
  
  
• How much do psychotherapy sessions cost?
  My fees are £50 per session paid by cheque or cash. Please note I do not accept credit or debit cards.
  
  
• What supervision and consultation services do you offer?
  I am happy to discuss the individual interests and professional development needs of potential supervisees - whether they be trainees or experienced practitioners. I believe that good quality supervision is a core element in providing safe and ethical psychotherapy to which I have a deep commitment . I negotiate supervision contracts depending upon the frequency of sessions, the learning needs of supervisees and the requirements of managing their training syllabus. Consultations to organisations are negotiated individually.
  
  
• Do you charge for cancellations?
  Yes. In agreeing our therapeutic contract I ask you to agree to pay me for the time I have set aside to see you, whatever the reason for your cancellation. Psychotherapy is not like other arrangements where a new client may be fitted in at the last moment. My practice is built upon my working in depth with a defined number of clients, and my commitment to be available to them for each session. It is well known that psychotherapy is most effective when attendance is regular.
  
  
• What about holidays?
  I will give you my holiday details well in advance and I endeavour to be consistently available for your sessions at other times. If you are aware of a long break coming up then we will discuss this in session and come to the most suitable arrangement to ensure that it does not unduly affect your therapeutic progress.
  
  
• How many sessions will I need?
  The number of sessions depends upon the complexity and severity of the issues and the particular nature of the questions that you will bring to therapy. As a general guide, trauma focused work is usually able to ameliorate symptoms of PTSD following a one off incident in 8 to 12 sessions (often faster). For more severe and complex difficulties such as childhood neglect and abuse, more time is required to work through a phased process of recovery, which includes education about the effects, reducing the immediate symptoms of trauma, working specifically on the traumatic memories and then consolidating new skills. These time guidelines have been set by NICE - The National Institute for Clinical Excellence - and are based upon research evidence on the effectiveness of trauma therapies in treating simple and complex PTSD.
  
  It takes time to heal from profound trauma
  and to make new meanings in one's life.