I am interested. What should I do next?

Please contact me (see the contacts page) to arrange an initial consultation.

Where does the therapy take place?

I am located in Kings Heath, approximately one mile south of the High Street, in a very quiet and private ground floor room. There is ample parking outside and the no. 50 bus is a short walk away.

What happens in the first session?

The first session is an opportunity for me to hear a little about why you think psychotherapy might be suitable for you. It is also about you meeting me and seeing whether I might be someone you feel comfortable working with.

How long is each session?

The initial consultation lasts between 50 minutes and 1hr 15 minutes. After that, each session lasts 50 minutes and will take place at the same time each week.

Is it one session per week?

Sessions often begin at a frequency of one per week but it is also possible to meet more frequently if that is found to be helpful.

How much does it cost?

If you would like to know my usual standard fee per session, please do get in touch to ask. I am happy to hear from anyone who is very keen to engage in long-term psychotherapy, even those with financial constraints.

How much therapy will I need?

This is not something that can be known for certain at the beginning of treatment. Therapy can last for 6-12 months, especially if there is a specific issue to be worked through but, equally, it can continue for a number of years.

Is it confidential?

Yes. It is of utmost importance that the work adheres to clear boundaries and ethical guidelines.

I have had some counselling/therapy before. Does that matter?

Not at all. It will be interesting to hear of any previous experiences you have had and to think about how they have impacted on your decision to explore further therapy.

Am I too old to start??!

Absolutely not! People often find themselves in therapy at whatever time is ‘right’ for them. It is never too late to explore your life and to think about ways of living in a fuller and more satisfying way.

How is ‘psychotherapy’ different to ‘counselling’?

Very broadly speaking, counselling tends to focus on issues which are at the forefront of your mind without attempting to understand too fully where those issues may have come from, and will usually be short-term work. Psychotherapy offers you the opportunity to explore yourself in more depth; to take your time so that you are able to notice whether there are patterns within you that may have been repeating throughout your life, from your childhood onwards, without you really knowing it. Whether you need counselling or psychotherapy is never a black-and-white issue and it is possible to move from one approach to the other depending on your circumstances.

‘Analysis’ sounds a bit scary. Will I be pulled apart?!? 

A common misunderstanding of ‘analysis’ is that the therapist’s role is to scrutinise the patient to such an extent that the patient feels totally demoralised. This is absolutely not the intention of analytical psychotherapy. Whilst being in therapy can be challenging, it might be more helpful to think of analysis as putting together the pieces of a jigsaw, painting a picture or making connections between past and present, inner and outer.