Question 1

What happens in therapy?

Accepted Answer

Psychological treatments involve working with a trained psychological therapist to improve the difficulties you are struggling with, using a range of techniques.

Therapy appointments typically last 50 minutes. I offer a collaborative approach to treatment which means we will work together as a team to improve your difficulties.

Question 2

What happens at an initial consultation?

Accepted Answer

An initial consultation lasts 50 minutes and provides an opportunity to explore your difficulties and establish what you hope to gain from therapy. It is also an opportunity for you to meet with me in person and decide if I am someone you would feel comfortable working with.

At the end of the initial assessment, I will provide you with a preliminary understanding of your difficulties. Using this and your goals for treatment, I will outline what therapy is likely to involve and how long it will last. This will be a tailor-made treatment plan for you based on your personal needs and the latest clinical research. You will then be free to decide if you wish to take up further sessions.

Question 3

Will my personal information be kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Any information that you share with me will be kept strictly confidential. I am chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and adhere to their codes of conduct regarding the protection of confidential information.

There are some occasions that a therapist may have a professional duty of care to extend the boundaries of confidentiality. This may be necessary where there is a risk that an individual may harm themselves or others. If it is necessary to share information in this way, it is always with a view to keeping you or someone else safe. I always aim to discuss the need to extend the boundaries of confidentiality with clients before doing so.

Question 4

How long will therapy last?

Accepted Answer

It can be difficult to predict the length of therapy as each individual is different. The challenges you are experiencing and your goals for therapy will influence the recommended length of treatment. The treatments I offer can be provided on a short-term or longer-term basis according to your needs. Progress will be reviewed routinely, and treatment can be adjusted if a change in circumstances requires this.

Question 5

What’s the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist and a psychotherapist?"

Accepted Answer

Psychiatrists are medical professionals who have chosen to specialise in the field of mental health. Psychiatrists are responsible for providing psychiatric diagnoses and prescribing medications to treat mental illnesses. Relatively few psychiatrists have completed training in talking therapies.
Counsellors provide supportive and non-directive talking therapies. Counselling can be helpful when an individual requires support during a difficult period in life or has suffered an important loss (for example, bereavement counselling). Counselling training is relatively short (around one year) but individual counsellors may be very experienced.
Psychotherapists are mental health professionals who have completed specialist training in a specific form of psychotherapy (for example, psychoanalytic psychotherapy) but they may also be trained in several psychotherapies. Psychotherapy training is typically completed over two - four years.
Clinical Psychologists and Counselling Psychologists (also known as "practitioner psychologists") are trained to provide many different types of talking therapy. They are also able to conduct psychological assessments, use psychometric tests (e.g. personality tests), and carry out clinical research. Clinical and Counselling Psychologists complete around six years of training (three years of undergraduate and at least three years of postgraduate doctoral training).
I am a fully accredited Clinical Psychologist.

Question 6

What does “evidence-based treatment” mean and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

There are many forms of psychological therapy available, however, only a small amount are proven to work through scientific research. “Evidence-based practice” refers to specific therapies which are shown to be effective.  For my practice, I focus on treatments which are proven to work. This ensures that you receive the best treatment possible, using the most helpful therapies available.
 
For more information about evidence-based therapies recommended for treating specific emotional difficulties, please visit the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) website where disorder-specific guidelines are available.