Initial ConsultationOur first meeting is mutual opportunity to see how comfortable we would feel working together. You can acquaint me with your issues and circumstances, I will explain my promise of confidentiality and offer a flavour of what sessions with me would be like, and we will discuss if counselling or psychotherapy would be appropriate in your instance.
Although you are welcome to do so, you need not decide about entering into counselling/psychotherapy with me by the end of this initial consultation; take some time and contact me again later in the week if you wish. If we decide to continue we will establish a regular day and time to meet each week and set a fee relative to your income and circumstances. If, for whatever reason, we decide not to continue in therapy together, I am happy to suggest a referral to another practitioner or organisation.
Sessions last 50 minutes. Typically we will meet once a week, at the day and time decided following our initial consultation. In some circumstances twice weekly sessions may be advisable; moving from once to twice weekly sessions is a decision we will make together and enter into only if we both feel it appropriate to do so.
From our initial consultation, we will have some idea as to whether we are entering into a short term counselling or a longer term therapy. Short term counselling is best suited for focus on one or two issues and typically means our sessions will last anywhere up to 20 sessions. Longer term therapy is more appropriate if there are a number of issues to consider. Long term work may seem a daunting idea, but a deep and fulfilling exploration of the many influences on our lives takes time and patience. Only by forging a relationship between us and making a collaborative effort toward a greater understanding can any real value be found. |
Cancellations and HolidaysIn event of you cancelling a session, for whatever reason, I will always offer opportunity to reschedule within the same working week. (If our session is late on Friday the option is to meet twice the next week.)
If a mutually suitable day and time can be found for that rescheduled session, I ask only the fee for the session that you attend. If no mutually suitable time can be found to reschedule the session I will ask for the fee for the missed session unless there are exceptional circumstances. If we agree on a rescheduled session time and you cancel or fail to attend that rescheduled session, I may ask for fee for both the original session and the rescheduled session. In rare instance where I cancel a session, I will do so with as much notice to you as possible. In this event there will be no charge to you. I do not usually hold sessions across Public Holidays (Christmas and Easter, Bank Holidays). There is also usually a two week period during the summer when I do not hold sessions. I appreciate that your holidays may not always coincide with mine, and so am happy to offer a further break in our work of up to two weeks. There is no charge to you in these instances.
Initial Consultation:
£70 Ongoing Sessions: £60-80 per session Fee is negotiated relative to your income and circumstances and will be set at the end of our first meeting, or at the start of our second session. Health Insurance (AXA-PPP, WPA, Aviva, BUPA): Your Health Insurer must first approve your therapy. On approach to your insurer tell them you nominate me as your practitioner. Supervision: £70 |