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How it Works - Taking the First Step

Initial Assessment
 

To begin your therapy journey, we start with an initial assessment.

 

It will generally consist of a few questions exploring what you would like to work on together and where you feel you would like to be in life. It can also give us an important insight into whether we will be a good therapeutic fit. Therapy is a collaborative process right from the first session. You can use this opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the therapy process.

 

It's important to find a therapist who you feel safe and comfortable with, and who will be able to effectively support you with the difficulties you are experiencing. The assessment process can help with this.

Going Forward

If you decide after your assessment session that now is not the right time for you then there is no obligation to continue. If you decide to continue, then we can begin to work through your experiences together at a pace that feels comfortable. Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly. Regular reviews can ensure progression and help you to gain everything you would like from the process.

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To book in for an initial assessment, please get in touch.

 

  • What is therapy?
    Therapy is also known as psychotherapy or counselling. Psychotherapy tends to be more in-depth and for a longer duration than counselling, though many people have their own definitions of the two terms. During therapy, you meet with a trained therapist to talk about your feelings, thoughts, behaviours, life experiences and more. Together, you and your therapist can work to gain more of an understanding of you. Therapeutic work will focus not only on the content of your sessions, but also the overall process. You can come to therapy with goals already in mind, or you and your therapist can work on creating these goals together. The word together is key. Therapy is a collaborative process. A therapist will support you, empower you, listen to you and help you to feel safe whilst exploring your emotions and thought processes. They will use their training to offer interventions and different perspectives and to model the experience of a secure, healthy and positive relationship.
  • What if I don’t click with my therapist when I meet them?
    One of the most important aspects of therapy is the relationship between client and therapist. It’s vital that you feel safe and comfortable talking to them. Sometimes during an initial assessment you might feel as though you and your therapist aren’t compatible and that’s fine. Your therapist will understand. If you feel comfortable bringing this up during the session then go for it, it might help to talk about it. If you’d rather think it over and then get back to them via email/phone then that’s okay too. They may be able to point you in the direction of a different therapist to speak with instead.
  • Can my therapist tell other people about our therapy sessions?
    Therapy is confidential. Your therapist has an ethical duty to protect your information and maintain your privacy. However, it’s important to be aware of the exceptions to this rule. A therapist may need to break confidentiality if a client is at risk of harming themselves or others. A therapist could also be required by law to report information if, for example, a client discloses an act of terrorism or a current safeguarding situation. In addition to this, every therapist is required to have clinical supervision with a highly qualified and experienced therapist/clinical supervisor. This means discussing work in an ethical way with an impartial third party. The objectives are 1) the therapist’s personal development and 2) ensuring that clients are getting the very most from the therapeutic process. Your therapist will be able to talk to you about confidentiality if you have any concerns before you sign the therapeutic agreement.
  • What is the BACP?
    The British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy is a UK based professional association and accrediting body. The BACP sets certain standards and ethical requirements that registered members must adhere to.
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