If you are considering counselling and have any questions or need more information, please see the useful FAQs below:
I follow the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical framework which means what you say in the session is confidential.
Confidentiality and its limitations will be discussed during our first session.
Each weekly counselling session is 50 minutes.
EMDR Sessions:
EMDR Sessions are 1 hour.
A counselling session is a time set aside on an agreed date at an agreed place, which provides a ‘safe’ and confidential space, which is private, undisturbed, and cannot be overheard or interrupted.
Within this space you can talk about yourself and your life, and you can explore any thoughts and feelings around whatever has prompted you to seek help.
If you are unable to attend your session, I ask you to let me know within twenty four hours of the session start time. Otherwise the full fee will apply.
If you are feeling troubled or overwhelmed, counselling can offer you a confidential, welcoming, non judgemental space where you can be truly heard.
Talking can help you gain clarity and awareness in areas in your life, to take steps towards positive change.
It may be easier to talk about personal, family, or relationship issues with a person who is not a friend or family member.
The number of session you can have are unlimited. You can have as many as you would like.
We can agree in our first session if you would prefer to come for a fixed number of sessions.
Counselling Session Fee:
Each weekly session of 50 minutes, the fee is £70.
Supervision Fee:
Each supervision session of 1 hour, the fee is £60.
EMDR Session Fee:
EMDR Sessions are 1 hour. The fee for an EMDR session is £70.
Yes, I also offer online counselling via Zoom.
Yes. I offer Person Centred individual or group supervision sessions in-person or online, on a monthly basis, unless otherwise agreed.
Supervision Fee:
Each supervision session of 1 hour, the fee is £60.
If you are already supervised, but need some extra supervision to top up your membership’s monthly requirement, I also offer half hour sessions if a top up is needed.
I am an accredited member of the BACP, which means I have met their higher standard as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner. I adhere to the Ethical Framework and the professional conduct procedure within it.
For more details on the Ethical Framework, refer to the BACP website: BACP Ethical Framework
You can check the BACP Register which is a list of BACP members who have met the standards for registration: BACP Register
I am a member of EMDR Association UK.
An Accredited Professional of the Foundation for Infant Loss.
I also adhere to the Association for Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA) Code of Ethics and Practice,
For more details on the Association for Person Centred Creative Arts, refer to APPCA
Yes. I am a recognised provider for the following insurance companies:
– Aviva
– AXA Health
– Vitality Health
Each company will have their own terms and conditions. Benefit may be limited and in some circumstances referral from a Consultant will be required.
It is the policy holder’s responsibility to ensure that treatment is pre-authorised.
I will need to add a small admin fee, to cover the insurance company’s charges to submit digital invoices.
Absolutely.
If you need me to make any reasonable adjustments to meet your needs in sessions, please let me know.
EMDR was developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro and stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
EMDR focuses on treatment of emotional difficulties caused by disturbing life experiences (including natural disasters, combat stress, sexual assault, upsetting childhood experiences, and other negative experiences) which impact on present day functioning.
Bi-lateral stimulation has been found to enhance memory processing, and is the aspect of EMDR most well known. This can be done by following my fingers, using handheld buzzers, listening to tones via headphones, doing butterfly hugs or tapping on each knee.
All stimulation techniques provide the same results.
EMDR is not hypnosis.
EMDR Sessions are 1 hour. The fee for an EMDR session is £70.
Each processing phase session will be repeated until the memory causes less distress. (This may happen in one session or may take more than one session).
For more information, see EMDR.
The first session focuses on history taking and treatment planning. I will ask a series of questions in order to build a picture of your life history, and key events which can begin to identify the goal of your EMDR therapy. Here we can also determine together if EMDR is currently a suitable treatment plan for you. If it is not, then we can work together to form a plan of support.
Absolutely.
The only difference if we work remotely is the way we perform the bi-lateral stimulation.
We will use butterfly hugs (cross your arms and alternate patting your upper arm), or alternatively you can tap on each knee whatever feels most comfortable for you.
Stage One: Client History and Treatment Planning
The first session focuses on history taking and developing an appropriate treatment plan. I will ask a series of questions in order to build a picture of your life history, and key events which can begin to identify the goal of your EMDR therapy. Here we can also determine together if EMDR is currently a suitable treatment plan for you. If it is not, then we can work together to form a plan of support.
Stage Two: Preparation.
Introduce and prepare you for EMDR. I provide a general understanding of theory and how the brain originally stores information. We will build resources to support you during the processing phases.
This can include creating a peaceful / calm place.
Testing eye movements / butterfly taps / handheld buzzers.
Stage Three: Assessment of Issue Presented
Here we will identify the primary aspects of the target for the work we will do and obtain baseline measures.
Stage Four: Desensitisation (Processing)
This is the processing stage where we will use the bi-lateral stimulation technique to begin work to reprocess the traumatic memory and all that is related.
Each processing phase session will be repeated until the memory causes less distress. (This may happen in one session or may take more than one session).
Stage Five: Installation
Integrate the positive effects (positive cognition) following the processing phase. What would you prefer to believe about yourself NOW?
How TRUE does this feel now?
Stage Six: Body Scan
This phase will allow us to check for any residual somatic experience / information that may still be stored in the body. (The body keeps the score).
Any unprocessed material can be worked on.
Stage Seven: Closure
Close down a complete or incomplete session.
Stage Eight: Re-evaluation
I check with you if all aspects of the treatment plan has been addressed. If you have noticed any changes / shifts in memories, felt senses or behaviour.
During the preparation phase (Phase Two), we will try out the bi-lateral stimulation techniques that feel most comfortable for you.
Bi- lateral stimulation simply means we stimulate each side of the body.
This can be done by following my fingers, using handheld buzzers, listening to tones via headphones, doing butterfly hugs or tapping on each knee.
All stimulation techniques provide the same results.
To help support your well-being, see Mental Health First Aid England’s website: https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/resources/
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk
For support on the loss of an infant: https://www.foundationforinfantloss.co.uk/
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Support for adults impacted by suicide loss. Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS): https://uksobs.org/
For support and information on Autism: https://www.autangel.org.uk/resources/
ADHD Foundation UK https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
National Autistic Society UK https://www.autism.org.uk/
Dyspraxia Foundation https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/
Tourettes Action https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/
British Dyslexia Association https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/
Sensory Integration Education https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/
ANDT: Association of Neurodivergent Therapists: https://neurodivergenttherapists.com
BAATN: The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network: www.baatn.org.uk
Pink Therapy: Gender, Relationship and Sexual Diversity Therapy: http://www.pinktherapy.com
MindOut: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer Mental Health Service: http://mindout.org.uk
WAPCEPC: World Association for Person-centred and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling: http://www.pce-world.org
A list of useful resources and support on BACP’s website: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/useful-links/