What to expect - making contact and introductory meetingChoosing a therapist that you feel you can work with is an important process and with this in mind I offer an initial meeting to see if I might be someone you could speak with about what is going on in your life and to explore the possibility of our working together. In this I would be listening carefully to what is bringing you to therapy and what you would like to happen as a result of your engaging with therapeutic work. I would be giving you some information about the way I tend to work and there would be an opportunity for questions. As this is an introductory meeting and not a therapy session as such, there is no charge for this time. Should we jointly decide to work together I usually ask for an initial commitment of six sessions. Sessions are weekly and of an hour’s duration. Should we decide I am not the right person for you, I would be happy to provide details of other therapists who might suit you better.
A brief overview of how I work and see the therapeutic process.In the sessions, what we explore would be entirely up to you. My role as therapist would be to respond as skilfully and appropriately to both you as a person and the issues you are bringing. I tend to work in a warm, engaged way with the intention of bringing as much awareness as I can to what’s happening in our moment to moment work together. Therapy is very much a collaborative enquiry to help you make sense of your experience of living, both in the here and now and in terms of how your past history impacts on your current life and sense of future possibilities.
Over time you may find yourself becoming clearer about your feelings, your relationships and your way of being in the world. I see therapy as an opportunity to reflect, take stock of where you are in your life, to explore at depth your experiences of being you, with a supportive other. I do not see therapy as a quick fix, a solution to all your problems as ultimately life is not a problem to be solved more a experience to be lived. Psychotherapy helps explore your lived experience with an aim of increasing awareness and the quality of relationship you have both to yourself and to others. In this you may find yourself better able to deal with difficult feelings and situations, handling life in an emotionally wiser way and freeing up energy to move forward in life. For many, a renewed sense of purpose, meaning, and a clearer sense of identity are essential parts of the work. Please see my website for further details.
Availability:Apart from Mondays I am available weekdays with some evening space.
