FAQs
Select from the following topics to find answers to your questions about my therapeutic services.
​
Have a question that hasn't been answered? Please contact me. I welcome your enquiries about how I can help you thrive in midlife.
Find out about:
Working with a Clinical Psychologist
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
A Clinical Psychologist is a mental health professional who has completed extensive training. This begins with a first degree in psychology followed by several years working as an assistant psychologist in the NHS and then a further doctoral level degree. This training usually takes somewhere between 7 and 10 years to complete. As a clinical psychologist becomes more experienced, they complete further training in a variety of psychotherapies.
How is a Clinical Psychologist different to a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist completes a medical degree and then specialises in mental illness. This training qualifies psychiatrists to prescribe medication. By contrast, a clinical psychologist has trained in the psychology of mental distress and the ways in which psychology can alleviate this suffering, through psychological therapies and interventions.
Clinical Psychologists are expensive compared to counsellors, therapists and coaches, why is this?
Counsellors and therapists are often trained in one main approach to therapy or they may integrate several approaches to deliver a consistent therapy to their clients. By contrast a clinical psychologist's depth and breadth of training means that their wealth of knowledge equips them to develop individualised psychological understandings unique to each client. They then use this understanding to tailor-make interventions drawing on a variety of methods and therapies. This approach is particularly valuable if someone has tried therapy before but it has not worked for them. Coaches do not work with mental health difficulties as their focus is on enhancing performance only. Clinical psychologists can apply their skills to both mental distress and performance. This is particularly valuable if someone has tried coaching but it has not worked for them, for example, if they have experienced past trauma or there is a psychological block to moving forward.
I've not been for therapy before, should I try something else first?
Clinical Psychologists are well placed to offer interventions to people who have not had therapy before as developing a unique understanding and tailor making therapy means that results may be gained more quickly than using standardised approaches.
How I Work
Can I cancel agreed sessions?
I have a 24 hour cancellation policy after which I charge my full fee for any cancellations. Please see my Terms and Conditions for more detail.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes, sessions are confidential in line with my professional regulations. The exceptions to confidentiality are where we agree it would be helpful to share some information with someone else or, where there is a risk of harm to you or someone else.
Please see my Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy for more details.
Are sessions online or in-person?
I offer sessions online and also outdoors for walk and talk therapy sessions. If neither of those options work for you one to one sessions in my therapy space can be arranged. Read more about the variety of therapy options I offer.
How frequent and long are sessions and how many will I need?
Online and in person sessions are 50 minutes long and walk and talk therapy sessions are around 1 hour long. An initial assessment takes two sessions at which point we have an idea of how many sessions will be needed in total. This usually varies between 7 to up to 20 sessions. We will review progress every five sessions so that we stay on track to reach your goals within the time we have allotted. Sessions usually begin by taking place weekly but as progress is gained, fortnightly and 4 weekly are often more helpful to maximise the use of session time and provide time to make changes in between sessions.
What are the first sessions like?
The initial session is for us to gauge whether we are a good fit for working together as this is an important factor in the successful outcome of therapy. This session also gives me an overview of the difficulties you are currently experiencing, how they started, and what is keeping them going. We may then go on to consider how you want your life to be different and your goals for therapy. The second session typically involves exploring your history to start drawing out important underlying themes out of which we can build an individualised picture of your difficulties and their origins. Over further sessions we build a deeper understanding of these themes, their origins and how they are now maintained. We then have a road map with which to navigate making the changes that are needed to reach your goals and a more fulfilling life.
Where do you offer your services?
My in person, one to one and outdoor therapy sessions are delivered in the Cotswolds, near Cirencester, Tetbury and Painswick. Online sessions can be delivered anywhere that is convenient to you.
If you are interested in my in-person therapy services, but have questions about how you can access these, please get in touch using the form on the Contact page.
What I Offer
What therapy models are you trained in?
The main model I draw from is called schema therapy. I also draw on a number of other therapies including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), compassion focused therapy (CFT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These therapies are ideal to use in the building of individualised understandings as they explain how our childhoods shape our personalities and mental health and also provide techniques for resolving trauma and rebuilding healthier, more helpful personality and relationship patterns that improve mental health and performance.
What does 'HCPC registered' mean?
All clinical psychologists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. The HCPC registers 15 different health professions in the UK. It protects the public by setting standards for training and practice. It takes action if professionals do not meet these standards. You can check my registration number here.
What is the ISST?
The International Society of Schema Therapy is the global organisation for the practice of schema therapy. It provides standards of excellence through certifications, training and research. I hold an advanced accreditation with the ISST which is the highest level of accreditation.
My Fees
How do you set your fees?
My fees reflect over thirty years of training and experience. They also include commitments outside of therapy sessions spent on preparing for sessions and note-taking as well as significant investment in continued professional development (CPD) and clinical supervision which are regulatory requirements of all clinical psychologists. My service is so bespoke that I find it most helpful to discuss my fees with you when I get in touch in response to your enquiry about an initial consultation.