Questions and Answers
What is psychological distress?
Psychological distress is natural and is a signal of prolonged unmet desires and needs. Psychological distress may affect habitual thoughts, emotions, mood and relationships, and all aspects of life. Usually the distress is rooted in unconscious beliefs or buried fears that your survival is somehow threatened because of unfulfilled needs, and when left unchecked can cause mental illness. Therapy can support you to find clarity and understand your situation better, so that you can reduce psychological distress, meet your needs and lead the life that you love.
What is psychological safety?
Psychological safety is a sense of being at ease in your mind, relationships and environment. It comes from feeling valued by those around you, and by valuing other people as well. It is a state of wellness, and when difficulties or distress arise, as they sometimes do in life, these situations are responded to with calm, and compassion and a sense of purpose and confidence. Psychological safety is being aware of your needs, and feeling confident about meeting them in due course. Overwhelm is reduced when one is experiencing psychological safety. Therapy can support you to increase psychological safety in your life.
How long does therapy last?
Therapy could last anything from several weeks to months, or possibly long-term. Usually, people gain insight into their issues and learn ways to cope from the first session. It usually takes about 6 to 8 sessions to understand the depth of the work possible together. Many clients choose to pursue therapy to explore who they are and reflect on ways to take action and improve their lives; this deeper work may last over 20 sessions, and could be ongoing long-term until a therapeutic ending.
How does open-ended therapy work?
Open-ended therapy means that we can work towards ending our therapeutic relationship at a time that you feel you're ready to end therapy.
What kind of commitment is required during therapy?
It is important to prioritise and attend every therapy session, and this includes arranging time out of your usual routine or creating changes in your work pattern. During therapy, you will be expected to explore and contemplate actions that can take care of your mental health and personal development, and improve your overall well-being. Every session is an opportunity to catch up, self-explore, and work through any obstacles to your goals, and improve your thoughts and feelings in how you relate to yourself and the world.
You will be responsible for your personal safety, health, and medical care throughout your time in therapy. Please ensure that you are well hydrated and have eaten well, and taken any necessary medications before attending sessions. Please do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs otherwise the session may be terminated and still charged in full. You may experience improvements in your health and well-being, however, if you are on prescribed medication, please do not alter your dosage without a good conversation and thorough understanding reached with your prescriber.
How does online and telephone therapy take place?
We will meet via end-to-end encrypted video calls via your internet browser from a computer or handheld device, with no need to download any software. During calls, please make sure that you are in a quiet space where you will not be disturbed. If there are technical issues, or if you simply prefer, we can talk by phone or on WhatsApp.
How much does therapy cost?
The cost to subscribe to standard weekly therapy is £70 for 40 - 50 minutes, or £40 for up to 30 minutes. Alternatively, ad hoc therapy sessions are £45 for up to 30 minutes, or £75 for up to 50 minutes (bookable session by session). Rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis and may increase or stay the same. Payment is accepted by card or balance transfer to secure each session in advance.