The therapy process:

Every therapeutic experience is unique and it is hard to get an idea of what therapy is like without actually doing it.   Here are some of the aspects I think are important:

• listening to what you have to say about the problem
• exploring the issues you bring, and getting a picture of how things are in your world and your way of thinking
• focussing on your thoughts, feelings and behaviour - do you have persistent negative thoughts? are you overwhelmed and confused by your feelings?  does your behaviour feel out of control?
• contributing information from my professional knowledge and experience - for example, common features of depression or anxiety
• developing a good therapeutic relationship between us so that you know what is going on in the therapy and feel free to ask me questions about it
• a mutual working relationship where we both contribute - you with your feelings and ideas about what is bothering you and me with my professional curiosity
• although therapy is not about me telling you what to do or giving advice as such, I may suggest things to you if I think they are appropriate, ie seeking help from another professional

The first session:

At the first session I will learn something about you and why you are seeking therapy.  It is also a chance for you to experience how I work and decide whether you would feel comfortable working with me.  I will ask you some questions about your personal history and why you are coming.  It is up to you how much personal information you choose to share with me.  We will also talk around the reason you are coming which will give you an idea how I work. I am committed to being as open as possible about how I think the process of therapy works, so I would encourage you to ask questions.  I will tell you whether I think my kind of therapy would be useful.  I work both as an Integrative Psychotherapist and as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.  I will discuss with you which approach I think would be most useful.  At the end we will decide whether to meet again.  If we decide not to work together, I will discuss with you what other kinds of help are available.