FAQ

What can I expect in the first session?

Our first session is focused on getting to know you and your reasons for seeking therapy. I will ask you about your current difficulties, but also about your life in general, to gain a broader understanding of what you have experienced.

This is also an opportunity for us to discuss the two different ways in which I work with clients (Intervention Pathway or Counselling), so that we can make sure you receive what’s best for you. I understand how difficult it can be to find a therapist and therapeutic style that resonates with you. If you feel that I am not going to be the right therapist for you, I won’t be upset or offended. It is more important that you find someone you can connect with.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is vital for building trust and creating a safe space for open and honest communication, allowing you to feel completely comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings, knowing that your privacy is respected and protected. What you talk about during our sessions is protected by the Health Information Privacy Code (HIPC 2020). You can tell anyone anything you like about our sessions, but I will treat your information as private and confidential.

All counsellors and psychologists should engage in regular supervision. I am supervised by a Registered Clinical Psychologist, whose job it is to keep me accountable while supporting me to offer my clients the best possible help. When I discuss client situations with her, I keep them anonymous, and she is ethically bound to protect everything that is discussed.

A rare exception to confidentiality might be if it emerges that there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to yourself or someone else. In this case I will always involve you in the decision-making around who to share this information with, to best ensure everyone’s safety.

Payment Methods & Cancellations

After each appointment, you will be sent an invoice by email, which can be paid online via card or by making a bank transfer.

Please try to give at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule. Life can be unpredictable: illness, family commitments, or the mental load can sometimes make it hard to attend. I trust that if sessions are missed, there’s a good reason, and you will never be charged a fee for missing or cancelling an appointment.

At the same time, therapy is most effective when it’s regular and dependable. If cancellations become frequent, we’ll talk about what’s happening; whether it’s barriers we can work through together, or whether a pause might be more supportive.

My hope is that you feel cared for and respected in this process, while also knowing that your presence matters. If attending is feeling difficult, please let me know so we can work together on finding the right way forward.