Question 1

What is your therapeutic approach and what do you specialise in?

Accepted Answer

I am a humanistic therapist with an MA in Humanistic Counselling from York St John University.

I am a trauma-informed therapist with a person-centred approach that is grounded in humanistic analysis, as well as relational, phenomenological, somatic, and experiential techniques.

I specialise in grief, loss, bereavement and relationship issues.

Question 2

What is BACP?   What should you look for when seeking therapy?

Accepted Answer

When you're looking for a therapist, I believe it's important to find someone who is qualified and registered with a professional body like the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). This registration ensures they uphold the necessary professional and ethical standards for your care.

What is BACP?
BACP is the main professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.

Just as crucial is the relationship you build with your therapist. The effectiveness of therapy often depends on how comfortable and safe you feel with them. To help with this, I offer an initial free 15-minute telephone conversation. This gives us a chance to connect and helps you decide if I am the right match for you, which is a vital step in your healing journey.

Question 3

What should you look for when seeking online therapy?

Accepted Answer

What should you look for when seeking online therapy?
When you are looking for online therapy, it is important to choose a therapist who is specifically trained in this way of working. Online therapy is not simply in-person therapy over a screen - it requires specialist skills to create safety, build trust, and nurture a genuine connection in a virtual space. A good way to ensure this is to choose a therapist registered with a professional body such as ACTO (the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online). Choosing an ACTO member can give you peace of mind, as they follow high standards for safety, ethics, and effectiveness.

What is ACTO?
ACTO is the UK’s leading professional body for therapists who work online. All ACTO members must also be registered with another professional body, such as BACP.

I am a Senior Professional Member of ACTO, which means I have specialist training and expertise in online therapy. I aim to ensure sessions are safe, supportive, and carefully tailored to the unique experience of working online.

Working with a Senior Professional Member offers reassurance that you are in capable, caring and experienced hands, receiving compassionate, understanding and effective support wherever you are.

Question 4

What is humanistic therapy?

Accepted Answer

Humanistic therapy is an approach that believes in your potential and focuses on your unique journey of self-discovery. Rather than dwelling on specific problems, it embraces everything that makes you who you are. It's an umbrella term for several therapies, including Person-Centred, Gestalt, and Existential therapy.

The core of my approach is that you are in the driver's seat. I am here to support you as you explore the issues that matter most to you. I will create a space for you to understand your feelings and feel empowered by your own thoughts and actions. Depending on your personal needs, our time in therapy can be short-term or long-term.

Question 5

How does humanistic therapy help?

Accepted Answer

This approach offers a safe, accepting, and non-judgmental space for you to explore what truly drives you and what you're capable of. It is designed to help you find your own answers, unlock your potential, and move past unhelpful patterns.

Life can be tough, and painful experiences can sometimes chip away at our self-belief, making it hard to see a way forward. Humanistic therapy works to gently clear away these internal blocks. This process encourages healthy and constructive emotional growth, helping you find a sense of emotional freedom.

Question 6

How does the humanistic approach work?

Accepted Answer

The humanistic approach is founded on the belief that people are inherently good and have the capacity to find their own solutions. To make this happen, the relationship we build together is incredibly important. It's vital that you feel safe enough to be completely open and explore your true feelings.

I will offer you:
Empathy and understanding.
Genuineness, by being open and authentic with you.
Unconditional acceptance, by valuing you for who you are, without judgment.

This supportive foundation helps you build self-awareness and trust in yourself, empowering you to find your own way forward. As you develop these skills, you'll feel better equipped to navigate life's challenges in the future.

Question 7

What can you expect from humanistic therapy?

Accepted Answer

You can expect a space where I encourage you to become more self-aware by exploring your feelings and responses to different situations. I will listen without judgment, often using open-ended questions to help you reflect on what you're sharing. My focus is always on helping you create change by exploring what is possible for you.

Voicing your innermost thoughts and feelings to me can be a powerful experience. For many, talking to an independent person is the first time their thoughts begin to make sense. It might also be the first time you truly feel you have permission to think and feel the way you do.

Question 8

What can humanistic therapy help with?

Accepted Answer

Because it’s centred on self-exploration, humanistic therapy can help with a wide range of challenges.

This includes issues such as:
Anxiety 
Depression
Bereavement, Loss and Grief
Trauma
Relationships

It can be particularly helpful if you find yourself engaging in self-destructive behaviours, fear rejection, or struggle to identify and manage your emotions. It also works for anyone who wants to build a more confident and authentic life that feels true to them.

I believe that feeling truly valued and having your feelings validated in a safe space can begin the healing process, helping to relieve the inner battle and exhaustion that come with these struggles.

Question 9

Will our sessions be confidential?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is a vital part of the therapy relationship.

Everything you share in our sessions will be kept confidential in line with professional ethical standards (BACP). This allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings openly, knowing you’re in a safe and trusted space.

There are, however, some instances where confidentiality will need to be broken.
These include:
​
Where you give consent that I share information
Where I am compelled by a court of law (court order)
Where the information is of such gravity that confidentiality cannot be maintained, e.g., where there is a risk of serious harm to self or others, or in cases of terrorism, fraud and crime.

I will always try to speak to you about this first, unless there are safeguarding issues that prevent this.

Question 10

Can I talk with you before booking my first session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I offer a free initial 15-minute online or phone conversation with no further obligation. This 15-minute call allows you to decide if therapy with me feels like the right fit for you.

Question 11

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

This can vary based on your individual circumstances and the issues you want to address.

Some people may only need a few sessions for short-term counselling, while others may benefit from longer-term psychotherapy to explore deeper emotional patterns or past trauma.

We will discuss your specific needs at the beginning and regularly check in to ensure you feel supported throughout your journey.

Question 12

How long are sessions and how regularly will we meet?

Accepted Answer

Each session lasts for 50 minutes and is usually held weekly at the same time.

Please note that if you arrive late for a session, the time cannot be extended.

Question 13

When and how do I pay for sessions?

Accepted Answer

Payment for sessions is required at least 24 hours in advance and should be made by bank transfer.

Details for the bank transfer will be provided when arranging your initial session.

Question 14

What if I cancel or miss a session?

Accepted Answer

Please provide a minimum of 48 hours’ notice (two working days) if you need to cancel or reschedule a session; otherwise, sessions booked will be charged for.

Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice, or missed sessions, are subject to the full session fee.

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