FAQ
What if I need help urgently?
Please call NHS 111 if you are in crisis now and need urgent help.
If you experiencing mental health difficulties or suicidal thoughts and would like some support today, you can find a useful list of helplines here.
The Samaritans phone line is available at all times on 116123. Their trained volunteers are there to listen and support, not to give opinions or judge.
Do you work online?
I work mostly in person at my Furnival Street office. I would encourage meeting consistently in person, at least for the first few months. Once the work is a little more established, occasional online sessions may be arranged to replace in-person sessions at need.
It is possible this will change, so if you are interested in working with me but can only work online, you are welcome to email me to discuss future possibilities.
Is your office accessible to wheelchair-users?
Yes, I have access to a second premises near London Bridge Station that can accommodate wheelchair-users. The front entrance has two steps which can be crossed using a folding ramp. I will meet you at the entrance five minutes before our session and see you out afterwards, operating the ramp myself so that you do not have to wait or buzz in.
The therapy room and a wheelchair-accessible toilet are both accessed by lift. The lift door is 35” (89cm) wide.
If you require use of this office, please let me know when we discuss scheduling. If you have other accessibility questions, please ask.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
These are overlapping processes and use a lot of the same theory and techniques. Both are forms of talk therapy. Counselling tends to be more finite in scope: a person may come in with one major challenge they want support with, and the work may be briefer and more pragmatic in focus. Psychotherapy tends to encompass more complex issues, or address concerns that span different domains of life. A question about work may turn out to be connected to your sense of meaning and purpose, your relationship with money, how you approach decisions, and so on. Whether or not you come in with a specific wish for one service or the other, I will review our work periodically with you, to check that you are getting what you need, and to see if we think a change of focus or approach is warranted.
I am looking for a therapist who shares a certain aspect of my lived experience. How can I know if you do?
Please feel free to ask. I don’t disclose all details of my lived experience or identity in my online profiles, but I am happy to share more if you feel it will be important to our connection. You are welcome to ask by email, or during our initial call. If it turns out we are not compatible in the way you were hoping for, I may be able to suggest a trusted colleague.
What is it like to do therapy with you?
You can read more about my approach here.
How can I use the discovery call well?
Some people find it useful to bring a list of questions. Even preparing these can help you reflect on what you are looking for, and anything you would not like. Talking to friends who have previously had talk therapy may help, if this is your first experience of it.
After hanging up from the call, take a moment to ask yourself how you feel. Sometimes you have a clearer sense of how an interaction landed with you after the fact.
If you missed asking anything you wanted to ask, follow up with an email. It’s a good thing to want information! It also helps the therapist understand better what you need.
How can I make the most of therapy once I start?
If you’re asking that question, I would say you are on your way. But you may enjoy this quick read from the Psychosynthesis Trust:
How can I tell if a therapist is right for for me?
The short answer is: listen to your gut. But your gut will need something to go on! Reading someone’s profile(s) and website may help, while a discovery call can be a great way to pick up on the cues you don’t get from the written word alone.
Finally, know that it can take a few sessions to settle into a rhythm. I am also a client of therapy, so I’ve thought about this! My own rule of thumb is that I would hope to feel basically emotionally safe with a new therapist within one or two sessions; and feel a sense of positive alliance within eight or ten. This is not to suggest there will never be friction between a client and a good therapist. The key is how the therapist navigates this with you. A good one will be open-minded and supportive if you directly raise a concern. Indeed, talking about ruptures or doubts can be hugely helpful.
If you would like more suggestions on how to find a therapist you match well with, I recommend this thoughtful video.
