What can I expect from therapy?

Therapy is a voluntary and courageous investment that requires a willingness to examine yourself and make changes supported by the therapeutic relationship. The work is a team effort leading to long-term benefits that enhance your relationship with yourself and others. 

Together, we will spend one or more sessions learning about you in order to understand your concerns, and then create a treatment strategy based on your goals. We will discuss our working agreement and go through some of your details. I will also ask you some questions to understand more about your needs and go through documentation (GDPR, Agreement). A series of questions about your mood will be sent to you before your session, and these can be discussed within the first session.

Collaboration is the key because both of us need to be invested in achieving your goals.

How long does the therapeutic process take?

How long therapy takes depends on your specific needs. Your response to counselling will be unique. The number of sessions can be negotiated at the beginning of counselling work or can be left open-ended to be reviewed as we work together. 

Most people find some benefit after a few sessions, especially if working on a single, well-defined problem. Sometimes, a combination of being offered a fresh perspective combined with learning new coping skills is enough.

Working through deep-seated issues can take several months to a few years to make lasting change, as it takes time and repetition of new experiences to assimilate change.

How will I know if I’m getting better?

Sometimes people may feel uncomfortable when starting to confront some of the deeper causes that were initially fuelling symptoms. That doesn’t mean therapy isn’t working. Instead, it can be a sign that your therapist is pushing you to confront difficult truths or do the hard work of making changes. In such cases, these strong emotions are a sign of growth rather than evidence of a standstill.

I blend elements from different approaches and tailor your treatment according to your need. Regular attendance, usually on a weekly basis, is important for effective therapy. Together, we will develop a strong working relationship, set realistic goals, and support and challenge each other as needed.

Some of the areas where psychotherapeutic counselling can help include:

If you have any questions about therapy or starting the process, please don’t hesitate to contact me.