You do not need to be certain before getting in touch. If you are wondering whether therapy could help, you can contact me to discuss what you are looking for. We can consider whether I am the right person to support you and, if not, I will be honest with you about this.

Seeking therapy does not mean that you have failed to cope. Sometimes it simply means that you do not want to keep dealing with everything on your own.

It is also important to me that therapy feels right for you. If, after a few sessions, you feel that this is not the right approach for you or that this is not the right time to start therapy, you are under no obligation to continue. We can talk about this openly and decide together what feels right for you.

Yes.

Therapy can involve looking at patterns that show up in your relationships, how you see yourself, the expectations you place on yourself, and experiences that may have shaped the way you currently think, feel or respond.

This does not mean that therapy has to become a detailed exploration of your entire past. We can decide together what is relevant and useful for your current goals.

It is understandable to feel hesitant about trying therapy again if you have had an unhelpful experience in the past.

Different therapists can work very differently, and the therapeutic relationship is very important. We can talk about what you found unhelpful previously and what you would like to be different this time.

Sessions are usually held weekly, particularly at the beginning of therapy.

Having sessions regularly can help us maintain momentum and make it easier to work towards your goals. We can be flexible with the frequency of sessions, but I generally recommend leaving no more than three weeks between sessions. Longer gaps are not usually recommended, as consistency is an important part of making progress in therapy.

If you are finding it difficult to attend sessions regularly, we can talk about what is getting in the way and work together to find a solution that feels manageable for you.

CBT is generally a time-limited form of therapy, which means that we work towards specific goals within an agreed timeframe rather than continuing indefinitely.

CBT is usually delivered over 5 to 20 sessions, although this can vary. Some difficulties may be addressed within a smaller number of sessions, while more complex or longstanding difficulties may require more time. We will regularly review your progress and discuss together whether continuing therapy, changing the focus, or bringing therapy to an end feels most appropriate.

Therapy sessions are not designed to provide immediate crisis support. If you are struggling significantly between sessions or feel unsafe, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or the Samaritans on 116 123 (in the UK), or the equivalent emergency and crisis services in your country of residence. We can talk about how to build a support plan for moments like these as part of our work together.