Frequently Asked Questions

Therapist Bristol Counsellor Psychotherapist Near Me

Can You Cure Me?

I don’t believe there is anything to cure or that you are broken but you might be looking for ways to tap into your inner strength and heal. Therapy can be a journey of self-discovery, where we explore your feelings together. It might involve revisiting past hurts, but the goal is to find ways to manage them and move forward in a positive way.

How do I find the right therapist for me?

When you have found a few therapists online who you feel may be able to help you, after reading the information on their website, the best way to find out if they are the best therapist for you is to book a free consultation, or payable one-off session. This will give you the opportunity to explain what brings you to therapy, ask the therapist questions about their way of working and during this conversation, hopefully you will feel if they are the right person for you.

Can you communicate with ease? Does the therapist make you feel comfortable? Do you feel you have some rapport? These are all questions that you may consider when speaking to a therapist.

Will We Be a Good Fit?
The free intro and/or first session is your chance to see if I'm the right therapist for you. Comfort and trust are essential, and we need to build a safe space for open exploration.

What Sort of People Seek Therapy?

All sorts of people find therapy useful and my clients are of all ages (18+) and come from all walks of life i.e. therapy is not exclusive to any particular group of people.

Personal life events can cause anyone problems or distress and time spent with a therapist can be invaluable in sorting these issues out. Therapy is a popular and acceptable way of getting help and support for any life issues. There is no shame in getting help and support.

What About Confidentiality?

I understand how important privacy is to you. Everything you share in our sessions is completely confidential, except in a few specific circumstances. These exceptions include:

Risk of harm: If there's an obvious and present risk of harm to yourself or others, including child exploitation or abuse.
Serious crimes: Acts of terrorism, money laundering, or drug trafficking.
Legal requirements: If I'm ordered by a court to disclose information.
Supervision: I discuss my client work with a supervisor to ensure I'm providing the best possible care. My supervisor is also bound by confidentiality.

N.B. We would always discuss situations where I might need to break confidentiality beforehand.

Do You Keep a Record of My Sessions?

I make a few notes after each session including a record of your attendance (I use codes to keep you unidentifiable). All session notes are digitally secured and stored in the Cloud (behind two password walls).

Is Therapy Secure If I Wish to Have My Sessions are Online?
I'm trained in both in-person and online therapy. When having online sessions, I use a secure platform (Zoom) to ensure privacy. I always lock the room when you have joined the meeting, so that no-one else can enter either intentionally or accidentally.

Is Therapy Painful/Uncomfortable?

Sometimes, depending on the issues and emotions that need addressing. I'm trained and experienced in supporting my clients through painful emotions - and this is done with the utmost respect and care; always working at your pace.

Is Therapy Non-Judgemental?

I promise that I do not and will not judge you, your behaviour, or personal life experiences, and I respect each client for their individual life choices. I operate a policy of complete non-discrimination. I do not discriminate on grounds of age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, illness or ethnicity. So you can come as you are.

What Can I Talk About?

You can speak in confidence about any issues that are causing you distress or making life difficult for you. All issues and all feelings are welcome in our sessions and I encourage my clients to be themselves, not to filter how they are feeling or what they say.

What Happens If I am Nervous About Telling You Something?

Feeling hesitant to bring up certain topics in therapy is a common experience. It can be difficult to expose our vulnerabilities, fears, or uncomfortable thoughts or memories. However, it's important to remember that I am here to provide a safe and non-judgemental space for you to explore your feelings. Sharing your concerns, no matter how difficult or embarrassing they may seem, can be a crucial step in your therapeutic journey. Remember, I'm trained to help you work through these challenges and find healthier ways to cope.

What Happens if I Don't Want To Talk About Something?

You have complete control over what we discuss in our sessions together. Feel free to share whatever you're comfortable talking about. I strive to create a safe and supportive space where you can express yourself freely. I understand that some topics might be difficult to address, especially at the beginning of our work together.

What Happens if I Feel Annoyed or Upset at My Therapist?

It's completely normal to feel annoyed or upset with your therapist at times. Feelings of frustration or anger can arise for various reasons, such as feeling misunderstood, feeling pressured, or simply having a disagreement. It's important to remember that your therapist is there to help you navigate these emotions, not to judge you for feeling them. If you find yourself feeling annoyed or upset, it's a good idea to communicate these feelings openly and honestly with your therapist. They can help you understand the source of your frustration and work through it together.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?
I am asked this question regularly. Truthfully, there's no concrete answer because therapy isn't 'one size fits all'. The amount of sessions you will have will depend on many different factors such as:

What you wish to gain from therapy.
Whether you would like counselling for a present issue or whether you prefer psychotherapy to look at things in more depth.
How you feel that you are progressing through your sessions.
How long it takes us to establish a good, working therapeutic relationship.
How committed you are to changing your current life position.

N.B. Six to Eight sessions is a typical starting point, but it's always your choice. We'll regularly assess progress and discuss how long you'd like to continue. You have complete autonomy.

What Should I Expect in the First Session?
This is your chance to share any goals and ask questions. There's no pressure to talk about anything you're not comfortable with. It's also a time to discuss boundaries and our therapy agreement.

How Do We Know What the Right Approach Is?
We'll work together to find the therapy approach that best suits you. I draw from different techniques and modalities to create a personalised approach that's flexible and allows us to revisit topics as needed.

Can I Contact You Between Sessions?

As a general rule, I will be available to you for your appointment times only, unless you need to contact me to reschedule an appointment, in which case I will endeavour to respond as soon as possible. Sometimes during a session we will discuss me sending you some useful tools, worksheets or articles for you to read/complete in your own time. But there is no obligation to do the work or reading.

What If I Am in Crisis or a Mental Health Crisis?

Help is always available. Please take a look at some useful resources/helplines here.

How Do I Schedule a Free Consultation or First Appointment?
Contact me by email here or through this website's contact form here.

Do You Offer Concessions?

Reduced-price spaces are available for individuals on low income, benefits, pensions, or students. If these spaces are full, I maintain a waiting list and will contact you when a spot becomes available.

If you don't qualify for a reduced-price space but are struggling to afford the full fee, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm committed to making therapy accessible.

Frequency of Sessions
Weekly sessions are most common and most beneficial, but bi-weekly or ad hoc sessions may be an option after an agreed period of time.

Cancellation Policy

Please try to give at least two days' notice to cancel a session. Without notice, you may be responsible for part or all of the fee.

What If I Do Not Want To Continue With My Therapy Sessions?

If you wish to end therapy, I encourage you to let me know by giving me at least 2 weeks’ notice. This is deemed important in order to have a proper ending. But obviously these are your sessions, and you're free to end whenever you choose.

To ask a question, arrange a free consultation or make a booking, click here.