It depends on your expectations, what you want to achieve through therapy, and what you're looking for from me as your therapist.
If what you've read on my website resonates with you, you're happy with my fees, and you're able to commit to weekly sessions, we can arrange a free online or telephone consultation (couples consultations are online only). This gives us both the opportunity to see whether we're the right fit before you commit to therapy.
You're also welcome to book a paid first appointment to experience how I work and discuss how I may be able to help you, with no obligation to continue.
The two terms are often used interchangeably, and there is some overlap. However, counselling tends to focus more on a specific issue, while psychotherapy often works at a deeper emotional level and over a longer period of time.
Trauma-informed therapy acknowledges that many of the difficulties we experience as adults have roots in earlier (usually childhood) traumatic experiences, even ones we don’t consciously remember. It’s not just about looking at how the past has shaped you, it’s also about how your present reactions can teach us about what’s still unresolved.
Couples counselling is a specialist form of therapy that helps partners understand each other more deeply. It can help with communication difficulties, trust and betrayal, feeling unheard, loss of intimacy, life transitions (such as having children), or deciding whether to separate.
I’m based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire and offer face-to-face appointments there, as well as counselling in Bradford and psychotherapy in Leeds. I also offer online appointments to clients anywhere in the UK.
I'll send you an invoice at least seven days before we begin working together, and payment is required before your appointment.
Going forward, you can choose to pay either one month in advance or at least seven days before each appointment. Bank transfer is my preferred payment method.
I ask clients to commit to therapy one month at a time. However, I understand that life happens outside of therapy, whether that's illness, childcare or other unexpected circumstances.
If you need to cancel, I'll do my best to offer you an alternative appointment within the same week so you don't miss your session.
Over 25 years of clinical practice, I've learnt that people often need space to reflect, think and experience their emotions during therapy.
If this feels difficult, we'll gently explore why. Alongside this, I'll share observations, knowledge and suggestions throughout our work together, helping you feel heard, understood and supported while making meaningful, lasting changes.
Unfortunately not.
Therapy is a process, and lasting change takes time and consistency. From my experience, weekly sessions provide the best opportunity for us to build understanding, deepen self-awareness and create meaningful long-term change.
No.
I ask for a one-month commitment at a time. At the end of that period, you can decide whether you'd like to continue. If you choose to finish therapy, you're always welcome to return in the future should you feel you need further support.
I'll make observations and offer suggestions based on your individual experiences and the way you're affected by them.
The support I offer is tailored specifically to you, so I won't know exactly what will be most helpful until we've had the opportunity to work together and I get to know you.