After the initial meeting, which includes an introduction and some admin so that you know how it all works, each session has the same broad agenda:

• How have things been since last week?

• What's gone well?

• Did anything not go so well?

• What shall we work on today?

• Doing the actual work for that session.

• What do you want to achieve by next week?

• How will you do that?

• Review.

By agreeing on something to work on in the week between sessions you keep things moving and your progress will usually be quicker and smoother.

I am recognised by BUPA, Aviva and VitalityHealth as a therapist.  If you want to use any of those for working with me, please get in touch so that I can help you through that process.  First sessions are not free if you are paying through a private insurer.

If you are self-funding, the first session is completely free of charge, as I think it's really important we get to "try it for size" before either of us makes a commitment, to make sure that you're seeing the right person and that I will be able to help with your issues.

From then onwards, sessions are on a weekly basis only, in the same agreed timeslot (barring holidays etc.).

To be completely fair to everyone, all clients pay the same fee.  Sessions are for a full hour and are £50, by bank transfer.

Because I like to make sure you're always moving forward, I don't take clients on anything other than a one session per week schedule and there will probably be things to do or think about in the week between sessions, to maximise your progress.

Well, that's entirely up to you.  We'll check at the very start and throughout that what you are aiming for can be accomplished via this process.

My personal approach is very like "physiotherapy for your brain", and it works in much the same way.  Something hurts, we examine it, we work out some "exercises" to help with it during the week, we meet up next week and see how it went, adjust as necessary and repeat until you feel ready to continue on your own.

That's easy.  You just have to be ready to work on things, come on the right day at the right time, and engage in the session.  Where it takes us after that is the point of therapy.

This is not a confessional; you don't have to bare your soul.

Whilst there will probably be things to do or think about in the week between sessions, there's no journalling or meditation or anything like that, unless you want to do it under your own steam.  Trying to make people fit these sorts of things into their schedules and life is intrusive and a hiding to nothing.

To become a private client with me, you need to be:

• Over the age of 18, not legally classified as a "vulnerable adult" or need a chaperone or advocate,

• Able to commit to weekly one-hour sessions,

• Able to commit to the same day/time slot each week,

• A UK resident, in order to be covered by UK law regarding confidentiality.  Video sessions mean you can be physically based anywhere.

I'm sorry, I can't see:

• Anyone under 18 years of age,

• Employee assistance / agency clients (although I do see employees for companies via referral from their own HR department),

• Couples, groups or families,

• Clients who work shifts or have other circumstances which mean we won't be able to meet on a regular weekly basis.

I work with most mental-health issues, including:

• Anger management (specialist area)

• OCD-type/related issues (specialist area)

• Suicidal thoughts and impulses (specialist area)

• Abuse and bullying

• Affairs - on either side

• Breakups and divorces

• Career issues

• Depression

• Disability / Ill-health

• Domestic abuse

• Generalised anxiety

• Grief and bereavement

• Health anxiety

• Home and work stress

• Infertility

• Low moods and sadness

• Online relationships

• Phobias

• Relationships

• Runaway thoughts

• Self-confidence problems

• Self-esteem problems

• Sleep problems

• Social anxiety / loneliness

• Worrying all the time

...and other related topics.

I have sessions Monday to Thursday in the afternoon and evening.

Go to my contact page and fill in the grid there to let me know what your schedule would be compatible with on a weekly basis and I can match those up to what's currently open.

Have a look at my "free samples" which will give you a flavour of my approach and tone.