How do I choose a therapist?

Finding a therapist can be a daunting task- especially because there are many different types of therapists and modalities. Choose a therapist who is registered or accredited by a professional regulatory body, of which the two main ones in the UK are the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). CBT therapists are accredited by the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

What happens in the first session?

In the first session we would discuss your difficulties and what brings you to therapy. We would also talk about your expectations/goals. Sometimes people do not know what their goals might be and this is fine too. The initial session is a two-way process to find out if we are a good fit to work together and for you to ask any questions about therapy.

How long will therapy last?

This question can be like asking 'how long is a piece of string?'! In the NHS, there are clear boundaries related to time in therapy which can have it's pros and cons. Engaging in private therapy gives you more flexibility to decide whether you would like to engage in a shorter or longer term contract and is dependent on what you would like to work on- this is something we would negotiate together.

How often do I attend?

I offer weekly sessions as standard, especially at the start of therapy because I believe this is important to build a good therapeutic relationship. Sometimes I offer fortnightly sessions but again this depends very much on our work together over time.

What if I can't afford the full fee?

I view therapy as an investment in yourself. We live in a time where society values short term investments to help us feel better, but these are often a quick fix rather than a route to living a full and authentic life. However, I do understand that finances can be a barrier to accessing support and I hold some slots for people who are on a reduced income.

What if I can’t make a session?

If you cancel a session with a week in advance I will try to accommodate another time, but if this is not possible you will need to pay. Holidays need to be notified four weeks in advance, otherwise the session needs to be paid for.

If you have any other questions you can e- mail me at:  drsophieseptember@gmail.com