Frequently asked questions.
What are your qualifications?
I have an undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology from Cardiff University (2006) and the PsychD Clinical Psychology (Doctor of Psychology) from the University of Surrey (2012). Successful completion of this doctoral course qualified me as a Clinical Psychologist. I am also registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).
What happens in the first therapy session?
Therapy can be a daunting prospect for some, and I will do my best to help you feel as comfortable as possible. In the first couple of sessions, I will probably ask you many questions, in order for us to build a collaborative understanding of what is going on for you. I will listen, with no judgment, whatever your background and circumstances. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. We will discuss the parameters of therapy and your hopes and expectations, set goals for therapy, and start to make sense of your situation and how you are affected. If you choose to continue working with me, this process will act as our map for therapy and help us identify ways to process your experiences.
Where will I be seen?
I can see you in person at my base in the Chew Valley (postcode BS39) or online using a secure video conferencing platform.
The therapeutic space at Valley Psychology
How frequent are therapy sessions?
We would tend to agree weekly sessions, with some breaks during the academic holidays.
How many sessions will we have?
Psychological therapy is time-limited, in contrast to some supportive counselling approaches. The number of sessions we have will depend on your circumstances and goals for therapy: we will agree and review this together, based on your ongoing needs and regular discussions between us. As a very rough guide, short-term therapy may be up to 10 sessions, medium-term therapy 10-20 sessions, and longer-term therapy may be 20+ sessions or much longer.
Do you offer low-cost therapy?
I am sorry, this is not an option at the moment due to Valley Psychology being a small practice. In the future, I hope to be able to offer low-cost therapy for people who cannot afford the full price of private therapy, as well as low-cost community groups and interventions. For those for whom private therapy is not feasible, your GP can discuss your options with you. You may also wish to look into NHS Talking Therapies in your area, to which you may be able to self-refer. Click here for further information and additional resources which may be helpful.