FAQs

What’s the difference between counselling and therapy?

In the UK the terms ‘counselling’ and ‘therapy’ are often used to describe the same thing. However, therapy usually involves more in depth working for longer periods of time. I am trained to offer both ways of working.

Will our therapy sessions be confidential?

It’s essential to be able to trust your therapist, and I will treat anything you say during our sessions as confidential. I will discuss our work with my supervisor (a requirement for all counsellors and therapists) but will not reveal any details that might identify you. I will not share information about you without your consent unless there is a legal or ethical need for me to do this.

With couples counselling, any information shared within individual sessions will not be shared in joint sessions without the consent of the individual.

What records do you keep?

I will write brief notes on our therapy sessions, to keep a record of the work we are doing. These notes are anonymised and stored securely, according to GDPR regulations.

You are entitled to request a copy of your session notes. If notes of a couple session are requested, only information relating to the individual making the request will be shared.

What information will you hold on me?

I will ask you to provide me with your contact details, so that I can share practical information, confirm session details, and check in as needed. I ask for an emergency contact in case I can’t reach you and I have a concern for your wellbeing. I ask for your GP practice details in case it’s useful to share information on our work, which I’d seek to do with your permission.

Can I record my therapy sessions?

Due to challenges around maintaining confidentiality, I don't give permission for sessions to be recorded. However, I do encourage and support clients to create their own summaries of sessions for reference and self-reflection.

What happens if I submit a contact form?

If you are interested to work with me, I will arrange a time to talk to you by phone or video call. This would be an opportunity for us to get to a feel for each other, talk about expectations and agree if we’d like to arrange some sessions. It is also a good time for you to ask any questions you may have about starting therapy. There's no charge for an initial conversation, and it's not a commitment to continue with any further work. 

What happens in a first therapy session?

In our first session we would talk in more detail about how I work, about what’s going on for you, and about how we could work together. We would also agree a focus for the work, so that we can aim for positive change. We would review this focus at regular intervals and adjust it as necessary. 

With couples counselling, an initial conversation is usually followed by and individual session for each participant before joint sessions begin.

Where do therapy sessions take place?

Sessions should always take place in a safe and secure space. I hold face-to-face sessions in Camden (Kentish Town) and Islington (Highbury), North London. This can work well if you want to talk in a neutral space, away from your home and everyday life. I work in dedicated therapy rooms that are comfortable and without distractions. I hold online sessions for those who prefer to communicate by phone or video. This can work well if you have access to a quiet space where you can talk privately and without interruptions.

Can I bring someone to therapy sessions with me?

In therapy the relationship between client/s and therapist is key. It is usually only recommended that there be an additional person in the room if they have a role supporting communication, such as an interpreter or carer. If you have a child it is sometimes possible to have them in the room if they are under 1 year of age and not crawling or walking.

How do online therapy sessions work?

If you request phone sessions, I will call you at an agreed time each week. If you prefer video sessions, I will provide you with a Zoom link on the day of each scheduled session. As part of the counselling agreement, we will commit to not recording or making transcripts of any therapy sessions.

Do you use AI for therapeutic work?

I do not use AI tools for any therapy note-taking or record keeping. This is to ensure that your information remains private and secure.

What is the time commitment for therapy?

Sessions are 50 minutes long, usually held once a week on the same day and at the same time. This is because regular therapy is often the most effective way to make a positive change. Time needed to complete a piece of therapeutic work will depend on your goals and circumstances. I offer time-limited therapy and open-ended therapy with regular reviews to make sure that we're all satisfied with how the work is going.

What happens if I’m late for a session?

Unless a session is cancelled, I will be available to you for the duration of the scheduled slot. If you are late for a session, we will begin working when you arrive. However, we will always need to stick to the scheduled session end time. If you think you might be late and are able to make contact in advance, this is appreciated.

What happens if I miss a session?

If either of us is unable to attend a session we will provide 48 hours’ notice if possible. If I have any planned absences, I will let you know at least 3 weeks in advance. Missed sessions will need to be paid for, with the exception of end-of-year break when the service closes and when I am on leave.

How does therapy end?

When you feel it might be time to end therapy, I will support you to work through how best to approach this.

The process of ending therapy is a moment to review the work that’s been done and the understanding, tools and strategies you’ve built. It is also an opportunity to learn about how we respond to endings, and to decide what we want this to look like with our therapist. I therefore ask that we have at least 2-3 sessions to work through an ending process.

Is there any communication between sessions?

The work we do in therapy would take place during our scheduled sessions. There is usually no communication between these slots, apart from to make arrangements for payments, cancellations etc. I will respond to all email queries within 2 working days.  

If we unexpectedly see each other outside of sessions I will respect your privacy by giving you the choice of how to respond. If you greet me I will do the same. If you’d rather not communicate, especially if you are with others, I will respond in kind.

How do payments work?

Payment for sessions can be made in advance, either in bulk or on a weekly basis. I accept payment by bank transfer. I will issue you with a monthly payment statement at the beginning of each month, for your records.

Can I use health insurance to pay for therapy sessions?

I'm not currently registered with a health insurance provider. However, there are health providers who allow you to arrange treatment with an accredited therapist and who will make payment towards, or allow you to claim back, some of the expenses afterwards. Please speak to your insurance provider to clarify their policy.

What if I have a complaint or suggestion?

If you are unhappy or dissatisfied with the service you receive please let me know at the earliest opportunity, and I will try to resolve any issues or concerns. If you have suggestions to how I could improve my service, please do let me know at any time.