Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about therapy, appointments, and how I work. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
I need help urgently – where can I go?
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help you can: Book an urgent appointment with your GP. Contact NHS 111 who can put you in touch with your local mental health first response service. Search online for your county’s mental health crisis helpline or crisis team and call this number. If you are in immediate danger, contact 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
How many appointments will I have and how often?
Usually appointments are weekly, but if this doesn’t work for you I can try to be as flexible as possible. How long you see me for depends on you and your unique circumstances. After the initial assessment we will usually contract an amount of sessions so you are able to plan ahead. There is no minimum or maximum number of sessions.
How much does an appointment cost?
In-person therapy appointments in clinic cost £150 per session. Walk and talk appointments cost £150 per session. Online/remote appointments cost £135 per session.
How long does an appointment last?
50–60 minutes depending on circumstances.
What do walk and talk sessions look like?
Walk and talk sessions are held on Northchurch Common. We will walk at a gentle pace whilst we conduct therapy. Appointments are individual – the only difference is the setting. This means that you can experience the combined benefits of fresh air, getting moving and therapy all at once. Steps will be taken to protect your confidentiality throughout, and this can be discussed in the 15-minute consultation. Walk and talk sessions are only available to women.
Are you the right psychologist?
It is hard to know if you will ‘gel’ with someone. You will get an idea about me, the kind of psychologist I am and the way in which I work, during the 15-minute consultation. Throughout therapy I will check in with you about how you are finding the sessions and will always do my best to change track if we need to. Occasionally, during the first few sessions I may identify issues that I feel are not best treated by me. If this is the case, I will discuss with you a plan. This may involve referring you to local mental health services or other private clinical psychologists with more expertise or specialism in particular areas. This will be discussed together and agreed before we end our sessions.
What days of the week do you offer appointments?
I currently work privately on Tuesday–Friday.
Can I use my health insurance?
Yes. I am registered with most major insurance companies. Please get in touch to find out if I work with your particular provider.
I am a health professional – can I refer to you?
Yes. Please go to the Referrals page to make an online referral.
What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?
I will always do my best to be flexible. However, you are liable for the cost of a booked session whether or not you attend, unless you give at least 48 hours’ notice of cancellation. If you have health insurance, please check your agreement, as many insurers will not cover the cost of cancelled appointments and this will therefore need to be self-funded.
Does remote therapy work?
During and since COVID many services offer remote therapy. I have no reason to believe that this form of therapy is any less effective than in-person therapy, and my experience tells me it works well. All therapy types, including EMDR, can be offered successfully online. However, it comes down to personal preference – this is why I offer a choice.
What is a free 15-minute consultation?
This is an opportunity for you to tell me a little about what you are looking for and for me to tell you about me and what I offer. We can then decide together whether I am the right person to help you now. The 15-minute consultation usually happens by phone.
Can I contact you in between sessions?
Contact is by booked appointment only. This ensures I can fulfil my commitments to all clients that book to see me, without clinics becoming delayed. If you need more frequent contact than the planned sessions, this may suggest I am not the right service for you. I am not a mental health crisis service. If you need urgent support, please call NHS 111, who can connect you to your local first response mental health service.
What therapies do you offer?
The main therapies I offer are EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Can I choose my therapy type?
We will decide together which therapy would be most effective and suitable for you. Of course, you have a choice; however, it is important that we do not embark on a therapy that will not be effective or suitable for the problems you are facing.
What does an appointment look like?
Our first session is an assessment session where I learn more about you, the reasons you are seeking therapy, and a bit about your background and experience. Together we will build a shared understanding of why you feel the way you do. Following this, we will agree a plan for your appointments. Therapy with me is an active process – it involves working proactively on things in order to create change as quickly as possible.
Are my appointments confidential?
What you talk about in session is treated as private and confidential. There are three exceptions: (1) if there is a risk of harm to yourself or another, it may be necessary to contact another professional person (like your GP); (2) if I am concerned about risk, I will likely make a crisis plan with you to outline who I will contact in an emergency; (3) as part of good professional practice, I take some material from sessions to supervision. Your confidentiality is respected and this is anonymous.
How do I pay for an appointment?
Payment is by BACS.
I am an organisation – can I refer an employee to you for individual therapy?
Yes, of course – you will need the employee’s consent. Please complete the professional referral form.
