Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is the treatment of emotional and behavioural problems by psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being relief of symptoms, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth. A psychotherapist helps people understand their problems from a new perspective by offering an objective point of view and new ways of thinking about and responding to problems. Going through the therapy process changes people's feelings about themselves and their situations, and they become happier, more self-confident, and more effective in dealing with life's stresses.

What is NLP?

You could think of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) as an owner's manual for the brain. It is the science of how the brain codes learning and experience. This coding affects all communication and behaviour. It affects how you learn and how you percieve the world around you. It is a key to reaching goals and achieving excellence.

What are the benefits of using NLP?

NLP can help you to achieve your goals, improve relationships and communication, control you own internal mental states, create powerful new internal states, align your internal resources for maximum enjoyment, and communicate quickly and effectively.

In short, you will find it easier to achieve your personal and professional goals, because you'll gain greater access to your internal resources as well as have more fun while doing it.

What conditions can you treat?

Nearly everyone can benefit in some way from psychotherapy, whether you want to change a habit, rid yourself of a phobia or some other emotional problem, or improve a skill you already have.

Are you supervised for the work you do?

Yes, I am required by my governing body to attend 2 hours of one-to-one supervision per month with a fully qualified supervisor. During clinical supervision sessions, cases and other professional issues are discussed in a structured way. The purpose is to ensure good service to clients and assist in my own professional development.

How do we get started?

I recommend that you first book an assessment session. This allows us to discuss your current difficulties, and to ensure you feel comfortable with me.

If at the end of this ,we are both happy to proceed, we can arrange further sessions, or you can take time to think about things further. You are under no obligation to continue.

How long is each session?

Sessions usually last for 1 hour. Although I do also offer 2 hour sessions, and half day and full day break-through sessions. Longer sessions are usually more suited to life coaching, executive coaching and performance coaching. If you would prefer a longer session then please enquire before booking, as it may not be the most appropriate choice for certain issues.

How often will I need to attend?

Initially I like to see people at least once a week. This enables us to build a solid working relationship, and give the therapy or coaching some momentum. After the first few sessions, it is common to reduce the frequency of the meetings.

Do I have to have a gap between sessions?

Whilst the mind can change very quickly, its often the integration of that change into the rest of our lives that takes some time. Hence the value of having a gap between sessions. The size of the gap largely depends on what issues you worked on during the session and how many sessions you've already had. The therapist will make appropriate recommendations.

What are your cancellation charges?

There are certain tasks I must carry out before, during and after each session. If I am setting aside my time to see you, and taking the time to prepare for you, it seems only fair that you should expect to pay me for my wasted time and effort, whatever the reason for your cancellation.

Therefore once you decide to go ahead with the sessions, I take a payment in advance. If you do not give me at least 24 hours notice of cancellation, the fee will be retained.

How many sessions will I need?

As everyone is unique, this is not something we can accurately predict at the outset, but I will attempt to give you estimates based on my experience of working with people with similar issues.

However as a very rough guide:

Simple specific issues: 4-6 sessions
More complex specific issues: 6-8 sessions
Several complex or interlinked issues: 8-12 sessions
Many interlinked complex issues: more than 12 sessions

Essentially, we will work for as long as is necessary for you to resolve the issues you came with. We will review the estimates regularly to check that you are receiving the therapy that is right for you. Of course, you are free to end at any stage.

What happens when I want to stop coming?

I usually suggest that we end our work face to face in a session, rather than over the phone/E mail etc. This closes our work cleanly rather than leaving any loose ends, and gives you a chance to face any difficulties surfacing at this stage.

We will negotiate an ending period, which, depending on the length of time you have been attending and your requirements, may be anything from 1 session to a few weeks.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, and it is not considered professional to offer one. There are many factors in your life which are outside of my awareness and influence which can affect the results. However, you can be assured that as a professional therapist, I can indeed guarantee that I will bring all my skills, knowledge, experience and ongoing training to bear in bringing you lasting relief in your problem. It is important to realise that therapy is not a magic wand which 'zaps' the problems away, it is a relationship were we both work together to help you change. Therefore the more involved and commited to the treatment you are, generally the better the results will be.

I offer an Initial Consultation/Assessment session which usually last up to 60 minutes. This gives us the chance to discuss your problems more fully and gives you the chance to think things over, if you wish, before finally making up your mind. It is absolutely essential that you feel comfortable with your therapist. A good therapist will respect all this. It also gives me the chance to determine whether I am the best person to help you, it is after all my job to make you feel better, not worse. If I don't believe that I can help you, I will not waste your time, and may refer you on to someone with more relevant experience.

Are you CRB Checked?

Yes, I have an enhanced CRB certificate.

Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Intermediate Certificate in Contemporary Psychotherapy
Licensed Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Diploma in Advanced Hypnotherapy and Hypnohealing
NLP Coaching Diploma
Diploma in the Art and Science of NLP Coaching
Diploma in Hypnotherapy
Certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Certificate in Stress Management Techniques
Certificate in Hypnoesitherapy (Pain Control)
Accredited Supervisor Certificate
Natural Awareness Practitioner Certificate

I am also a member of:

The Community for Contemporary Psychotherapy
A Candidate in Training Member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
The General Hypnotherapy Register
The Hypnotherapy Association
The Corporation of Advanced Hypnotherapy
The Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming
The NHS Directory of Complementary & Alternative Practitioners
The UK Register of IBS Therapists
The National Phobics Society
National Register of Practitioners in Smoking Cessation

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

I Believe Strongly in continuing professional development, which keeps my skills fresh and at the cutting edge.

My current training and on-going supervision are as follows:

Intermediate Diploma in Contemporary Psychotherapy
Comparative Psychotherapy and Clinical Practice
Ethical Practice
NLP Master Practitioner
Monthly clinical supervision sessions (2 hours per month)

So when can I come and see you?

I am available to see clients Monday to Friday, both during the daytime and most evenings. You may contact me by email or phone me at the number below for more details.

I practice from a consulting room in my home and also at a local complementary health clinic on certain days of the week, if you would prefer to see me at the complementary health clinic instead then do please let me know when booking your appointment.

How do I book an appointment?

You may contact me by email or phone me on 0161 881 4333 to arrange an appointment.

What can I expect at my initial appointment?

At your initial consultation, I will spend some time talking you through your symptoms and medical history. This is necessary to ensure a full understanding of your condition, and may involve some questions of a personal nature. Please be assured that all information is confidential, and will be used to properly assess which approach will be best suited to your needs.

Discounts of 10% and 20% are available when paying for multiple sessions in advance.

How many sessions will I require?

Most specific issues can be dealt with between six and eight sessions, for more deep rooted or complex problems which may require deeper analysis, eight to twenty sessions may be required.

What payment methods do you accept?

• Cash
• Cheque (only with a cheque guarantee card)
• Debit or Credit Card
  
• Online Payment - Pay using your Debit Card, Credit Card or PayPal account.
  
  NOTE:
  If you decide to pay online, please pay before you attend the session. I will then receive email notification of the payment.

Can I get a refund?

No refund is payable for the sessions you have attended whatever the circumstances. If you pay in advance for the treament then unused sessions will be refunded just as soon as you let me know that you don't need to continue. You are paying for my time, skills, knowledge, experience and training. I cannot offer guarantees and it is unprofessional to do so, as there are many factors in your life which are outside of my awareness and influence which may affect the results.

Page Last Modified: Tuesday, 25 January, 2011

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