Initial Consultation

You attend an online session (first session) which is chargeable @£90 for 50 mins. You are expected to prepay for the booked session with at least 48 hours prior to the booked appointment date/time. If you are having the cost of the therapy covered by your Insurance Company we will discuss terms and conditions of payment prior to booking your first session.

So long as we are both happy to arrange a second session, we usually work up to 6 sessions before introducing a progress review. In your initial sessions based on the information that has surfaced so far, I am likely to determine whether I believe your therapy needs require short, medium or longer term therapy. Of course therapy aims can change during the course of therapy and impact the duration of therapy as the work deepens. This is something we can discuss and agree renewed therapy aims through intermittent progress reviews to determine whether these aim are being met and identify ways forward to work towards an ending.

The aim of the first session is to :

• Provide a framework for the therapeutic work and a starting point to help you to better manage your presenting issues.

• Enable you to get a feel for what Psychotherapy/Counseling involves and how it may help your specific needs.

• Enable you to ask any questions or raise any concerns before making an informed commitment to attend further sessions.

• Offer space and time to discuss practicalities such as cancellations, fees, confidentiality and exemptions to confidentiality along with the general terms within the agreed contractual agreement between us. This ‘statement of understanding’ is sent to you via email prior to your first session for you to read, sign and return to show your agreement to the terms within. The statement of understanding explains issues around complaints procedures with the UKCP which is my governing body and is governed by UK Law.

• At the start of the session I will ask some general questions around any prescribed medication you are taking, whether you have had any previous therapy, and take your full name, address and a name of your next of kin or emergency contact in case a safety issues emerges during the course of a session.

• To enable me as your Therapist to make an assessment of your presenting problems and for us to determine your therapy aims. However please note I am not qualified to give a diagnosis. Also I cannot offer a guarantee for treatment outcomes as it is your brain the makes the changes.

• To ascertain the suitability of a therapeutic approach, online therapy and possible length of the therapy. However this may change as we get deeper into the work.

• Also the initial session is designed for you to make an assessment of me and to decide if you would like to work with myself. Attending an initial assessment does not mean that you are obliged to continue with the therapy beyond the first session.

My therapy room

I work online from a safe, private, confidential, comfortable, dedicated therapy room situated inside my home. I have end to end encryption on the laptop I work from. My computer is password protected and has adequate security systems on my software. This basically means that when you are on a video call and it is being passed between our computers, if anyone tries to intercept the call, it will be jumbled up to make the data meaningless, so that is cannot be opening, play or listened to. I write notes to aid memory during the session and do not hold them electronically and endeavour to minimize information about you electronically. I store case material on in a securely locked fire proof cabinet for up to 7 years.

I use both Zoom which is HIPAA compliant. I also use two specialist sites called Bilateral Base and Remote EMDR.

Remote Therapy

Remote therapy can be a perfect option for those individuals that are unable to travel to the therapist office, that are homebound, or simply have a tight schedule. It can provide a more flexible option.

However online therapy is not for everyone. You will need a sound ability to use a computer safely or other devices. and to be able to protect yourself from online viruses and malicious emails. You will need to have adequate security systems on your software which are password protect your computer. You will need to be able to work from a comfortable space that is safe and confidential, where you will have privacy and will not disturbed. If you have a baby, toddler, or young children you will need to ensure that they are being cared for by another responsible adult just as you would if you were attending in person for face to face therapy.

It may not be a good idea to work online for certain conditions such as psychosis.

In the rare occasion I experience problems with my internet connection, with your prior agreement I will text you or contact you using the agreed way of communicating to let you know that I am experiencing difficulties and to discuss the next steps. I ask that you contact me on the mobile number you will be given. If you do not show for a session I usually wait five minutes before contacting you just in case you are running a little bit late. If you do not respond, I will wait 15 mins before contacting you again to let you know that I am closing the session down. You will be expected to pay in full for the missed session. I will then wait to hear back from you to reschedule another appointment.