Each weekly session is 50 minutes in length. And occur at the same time and day each week. 

The first meeting is a chance for you to get to know me and what to expect from counselling/psychotherapy, and for me to get to know what brings you to counselling and to make sure I think I can help. The sessions are confidential, however I appreciate it can be scary meeting someone new so you decide what to share while you are building trust in the therapy process.

Although there can be huge value in talking sessions, where possible and applicable how I do therapy can involve talking, exercises aimed at learning certain skills, in the case of anxiety or OCD it may involve us doing exposure therapy and response prevention which can be a very active and direct form of therapy.

For my younger aged clients I use a lot of play therapy, and sandplay therapy. These therapies can help them engage and express what may be difficult or unclear to them. The play and sandplay act a means to express this. I sometimes use sandplay with older clients too. 

In summation, it depends on your individual needs or wants, and how best to address what you want to work on. 

Some parents/guardians like to be in the initial consultation, and some children/young people want their parents/guardians in the room too for this initial session, as well as some of the actual therapy. I am ok with this, and in some cases it can in fact be helpful to the therapy. That being said, it ultimately depends on what the child/young person wants. As they need to feel able to share openly for the therapy to be effective, and sometimes it can be tough to open up in front of family members.

At this time, I only offer zoom sessions to over 18s. This is because I use a lot of play and creative elements in my work with under 18s and this is done in person.  However, once the relationship is established if we need to switch to zoom that is ok, or if you are unable to come in one week we can use zoom.

Yes they are. However, it is necessary to make clear the limitations of confidentiality. Whilst the content of sessions between counsellor and client is confidential, there are exceptional circumstances that result in a legal obligation for me to break client confidentiality. These exceptional circumstances are when there appears sufficient evidence to raise serious concern about:
(a) the safety of clients; (b) the safety of other persons who may be endangered by the client’s behaviour; or (c) the health, welfare or safety of children, young people or vulnerable adults. 

There are other supervening legal and ethical obligations, such as my duty to comply with criminal investigations when I am legally obliged to do so.

However, I will always endeavour to speak with you (the client) first before breaking confidentiality.

I am unable to offer an emergency support service and will not be monitoring emails outside of my working hours. If you require help urgently please request an emergency appointment with your GP.

Alternatively you could contact any of the following for emergency and crisis support:

• Call 111 – NHS urgent care telephone service.
• Attend your local A&E department, where you should be assessed by a trained mental health professional.
• Text Shout on 85258. Shout is a free, confidential and anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK.
• Call Samaritans on 116 123 to speak to a volunteer, or email [email protected] for a reply within 24 hours.
• Mind – helpline – 03001233393 – 9am-6pm Monday-Friday (except bank holidays), or email [email protected], or text 86463.

Hourly rate: please email for the rate.

For OCD referrals, please see pricing at https://www.integrativecentreforocd.co.uk/faqs

If you have private healthcare, at this time I am only able to accept WPA. 

Please note that I operate a 24 hour cancellation policy otherwise 100% fees will apply. Please note, clients from the Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy is 48hrs notice for cancellation.