You may be seeking support because you are feeling desperate or overwhelmed.  However, please note that I am unable to provide crisis support.  

If you feel you need help urgently, for example, if you are having thoughts about wanting to end your life, or if you are having thoughts about harming others, please contact your GP in the first instance, or contact 111, who will assess your needs further.  If you feel at imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact 999 immediately.  Please do not feel you are burdening others, it is important to reach out and seek help if you are having these thoughts.

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If during the assessment session or during therapy, I feel that you need increased support through local NHS services, I will discuss this with you.

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If you feel you need to speak to someone supportive and in confidence, The Samaritans are a very helpful support line, telephone 116123, www.samaritans.org

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Further information about mental health and support is available at www.mind.org.uk 

HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION LAST?

Assessment and Therapy sessions last 50 minutes. I am able to offer extended assessment slots when available, should a longer initial appointment be indicated.
I offer weekly or fortnightly appointments and review sessions for those reducing the frequency of therapy prior to discharge.

You are not committed to any length of treatment.  Duration of treatment depends on what you want to achieve in therapy, the severity of your difficulties and how ready you feel to make changes.  Some people feel they can make changes in up to six sessions, for others with more complex or long-standing difficulties, we look at medium to longer-term therapy input.  Where schema therapy is indicated, we will complete an extended assessment over a number of sessions where we will discuss likely treatment length. Schema therapy is a longer-term therapy of often over 1 year in duration (based on regular weekly sessions). 

I regularly review progress towards goals at 6-weekly intervals to ensure sessions are effective and meeting your needs.

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HOW CAN I GET THE MOST OUT OF MY SESSIONS?

This is a great question to ask.  Therapy is about learning new skills and ideas and we all learn differently.  You may find it helpful to bring a notebook or folder with you to take away resources.
I will provide links to online resources, video clips or recordings of skills to practice, where appropriate.  Regular practice of new skills is key and we will discuss ways you can fit this into your schedule to make the most of your sessions.

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​WHO NEEDS TO KNOW I'M ATTENDING APPOINTMENTS?

There is no need for anyone to be informed you are attending psychology sessions, including your GP, and I abide by a strict code of confidentiality.

The exceptions to this are:

1) Risk: should any client disclose information which indicates they are a potential risk to themselves or others, I am duty-bound to share this information with a third party (e.g. GP, social services, emergency services).  I would not make a disclosure without informing the client in the first instance, unless I deem there to be a significant risk of harm.  If you have a history of risk to self/others, I will discuss this with you and we will develop a safety plan, should these risk issues re-occur.

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2) Professional Supervision: As part of the British Psychological Society and the HCPC code of conduct, psychologists have regular clinical supervision for cases to ensure safe and effective practice.  For confidentiality purposes, all personal details are withheld and discussed anonymously. 

WHAT ABOUT MY CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY?

Please refer to the detailed privacy statement attached (please click the link in the heading above).