PARK PLACE
Welcome
Firstly I want to congratulate you as it is a brave step to reach out for help if you are suffering from any problem that affects your mental health. If you are experiencing stress, crisis, anxiety, depression, or simply need a reset in life then talking therapy can be a safe, non judgemental, confidential environment to seek some relief, help and comfort.
I have 35 years of experience helping adults and teenagers to explore both the root causes of their problems and practical strategies for moving forward and achieving long-term life changes. I work using an integrative counselling psychology approach which includes a range of psychological techniques according to what works for you. Overall, I offer what I call the 4Cs to counselling, so that you feel you are in a comfortable, caring, confidential environment with clarity as to where the counselling experience is going for you. It is most important to me that you feel supported throughout your time with me whether it is one exploratory call or many sessions of therapy I am here to help you.
4Cs
Caring
Attending counselling can be daunting, especially coming at a time in life when you might feel vulnerable. I care about your counselling experience and I want to reassure you that your opening session with me is without pressure and will simply be a discussion where you are free to talk emotionally as well as to explore what might be the best course of action to help you. We can discuss all of your options for moving forward and, if this does not include continuing with me, I can assist you in sourcing what you think might help.
Comfortable
My aim is to make counselling fit comfortably into your needs and lifestyle. Whilst there is a lot of value in the traditional methods of counselling – an agreed space in a neutral clinic and at a regular time, I accept that ‘traditional’ is changing and I aim to be flexible to work within your lifestyle to ensure you get the help you need. That could mean online/telephone sessions, intermittent one off sessions, or it could mean flexibility on time or venue or length of session. Therapy has to fit in with your lifestyle and it is my aim to be as flexible as is possible to achieve such.
Confidential
Whilst it is a given that counselling is confidential, I am able to offer a higher level of confidentiality where necessary. Notes are optional and contact details can be stored under agreed codes. A completely private central London venue without waiting room cross over can be made available. Please note that I deliberately do not have a generally accessible website, I am not on social media and I do not advertise.
Clarity
There can be an awkwardness about the financial and time commitment to counselling that I hope to avoid through clarity. I don’t want you to worry about charges or the awkwardness of ending your time with me. For our first session I prefer to meet in person, (again that is optional but I would recommend in person), and I charge £200 for up to two hours. This initial longer session is in recognition that we want to have enough time to discuss what is happening in your life and to work out a plan to move forward. You will leave the first session without any pressure to commit to further time with me and I am happy to try and assist you source outside help. Should you wish to continue in counselling with me then I charge an advance fee of £900 for a block of six one hour sessions and there is a 48 hour cancellation window. At the end of every 6th session we can summarise and discuss how or if you would like to progress and there is no pressure to continue. Obviously the counselling period will continue for as long as you feel you need my support otherwise. Some clients are happier to have intermittent longer sessions and I am happy to try to accommodate this as well. Please note that I do not work for any health insurance companies although I am willing to write reports for you.
I hope that this clarifies your counselling options with me, but if you have any further questions you are welcome to contact me by any means that works for you. Whatever decisions you take I kindly wish you all the best for a contented and happy future.