The Therapy Process

I offer a free 15 minute consultation which will give you space to explain what’s bringing you to therapy and give us chance to think together about whether what I offer will be helpful for to you.

I’m aware speaking on the phone can sometimes be difficult for people so I’m happy to have the initial conversation by email, text, or using WhatsApp if this is easier for you.

If you think that I’ll be a good fit for you, then we will book in our first session, either online or in person. It is essential that you are happy with both your therapist and the type of therapy provided, so, if I am unable to offer you the most appropriate service for your needs, I will do my best to recommend suitable alternatives.

Online sessions are typically held via Microsoft Teams or Google Meet, but other platforms can be used if preferred. 

If you’re in or around Stockport, I also see people face to face in a lovely room in Great Moor, SK2 – please note, this room is up one flight of stairs.

Initial Sessions

In our first session, we will talk about what your current issues are specifically and, if it feels appropriate, we will delve deeper into the link between past and present experiences. After this we will work together to develop a plan for addressing what we need to in a way that helps you achieve your goals.

We’ll probably have a fair idea of what is going to be a suitable approach for you by the end of the first session but sometimes it can take a little longer to gather the information to make that decision. Initial sessions will be a combination of talking, perhaps drawing things out to get a better sense of what’s going on for you, completing questionnaires if appropriate, and discussing and agreeing a plan for therapy.

Treatment sessions – these can look very different for different people and presenting problems but I have provided information about the main therapeutic approaches I draw from in the services section, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).

Sessions are generally 50 minutes in length although we can agree longer sessions if appropriate.

I often talk to people at the start of sessions about there being some side effects sometimes when starting therapy, just as people might notice if they were starting a new medication. People can often feel worse before they begin to feel better, especially as we begin to explore your difficulties in more depth and try out new responses. Therapy does require commitment if it is going to be helpful as it is not an easy process. My job as your therapist is to be there with you and guide you through the process, something I have done many times over the past 20 years.

My experience of working for over 20 years in mental health has given me confidence that these therapies can help with the following issues:

Low mood and depression related issues, including:

• Depression
• Low Mood
• Burnout
• Low motivation/energy
• Little pleasure in life