Frequently asked questions

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Confidentiality is extremely important to everyone seeking counselling services.

Your information with us will be stored securely in accordance with the data protection act and GDPR 2018. In this regard, we are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office – registration number ZB490674 – and adhere to their rules and guidance.

We are bound by the the code of ethics and conduct of the British Psychological Society – membership number 016977, by the legal body which is the HCPC - registration number PYL16294, and also by the Code of Ethics of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society - membership number  NCS23-03555 (link to NCPS code of ethics)

If you are dissatisfied with our service - any complaints should be directed to the British Psychological Society - here

Yes. I have a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Psychology, achieving First Class Honours. I then completed a three year Ph.D. on Relationships and Mental Health. Following which I completed a three year Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.

I am a fully registered Clinical Psychologist. It is a legal requirement that all Clinical Psychologists must be registered with the HCPC (which is a legal monitoring body for specialist clinical services). My registration number with the HCPC is PYL16294

I am also registered as an Accredited Counsellor with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. My registration number is NCS23-03555

Over the past 34 years I have also completed numerous workshops and training courses, to extend and develop my clinical skills.

I am now an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

My qualifications and professional registrations include:

B.Sc (Psychology - Hons - 1st Class - Loughborough University)
Ph.D (The role of Social Support in Emotional Well-being - London University)
Dip.Clin.Psy (Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology - B.P.S.)

Registered Clinical Psychologist (H.C.P.C. number PYL16294)
Accredited Counsellor (M.N.C.P.S. number NCS23-03555)
Registered Counsellor (A.C.C. number R001511)
Chartered Practitioner Psychologist (B.P.S. number 16977)
Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (B.P.S. number 16977)

Member of the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology (B.P.S. number 16977)

Our sessions lasts for about 50 minutes and most people choose to meet their counsellor weekly. However for some, meeting fortnightly is enough (the frequency of sessions can be negotiated with your counsellor).

We recognise that everyone has different needs, so it is difficult to say how many sessions you will require, although we generally find that at about 8-10 sessions are needed (often more). You will negotiate with your counsellor regarding when therapy should end. However, if you choose, you can end the therapy at any time.

Some people find it easier to receive therapy face-to-face, whereas others prefer online sessions (e.g. using Zoom).

Does Online Therapy Work?

Many people find it easier to share their thoughts and feelings in online sessions, rather than face-to-face.  Consequently, online therapy has been shown to work just as well, and in some cases better, than traditional, face-to-face therapy.

We work primarily with individual adults, or couples. We do not provide Family Therapy - but we do sometimes work with client groups.

Each session lasts approximately 50mins, and is usually held once a week. The number of sessions needed will depend on your particular circumstances and issues, although we generally find that at about 8-10 sessions are needed (often more). Some people may come to counselling with a very specific issue or area they want to work on, such as a bereavement or difficulties in their relationship. Others may come with less clear issues but more sense of feeling low, experiencing difficult, mixed emotions, and lacking direction or a sense of purpose.

However, if you choose, you can end the therapy at any time. 

Yes - you can stop therapy any time you wish.

We offer a range of affordable options (see here). This will be subject to periodic review. We will give at least one month’s notice of any increase.

For details of how to pay - click here

Please let us know as soon as possible by telephone, text or email. Cancellations within 24 hours of your appointment may have to be charged in full or incur an admin charge depending on the circumstances.

Counselling usually refer to brief treatment that helps with current problems you may be having. Such as feeling depressed, angry, anxious, lonely, low self esteem, relationship problems, or a general feeling of finding it difficult to cope at the moment.

Psychotherapy on the other hand is generally longer in duration. It is a developmental process that will assist the client in gaining an understanding of their life-long core attitudes, beliefs and recurrent emotions, patterns of thinking, behaviour, and personality, which may have resulted in problems such as longstanding issues with mood, or anger, or anxiety, or relationships, or self esteem.