Do you have any questions about our services? Here are answers to some common questions we get asked. If there is anything specific you would like to ask please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Counselling has been proven to help with a range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, low self esteem, problems in relationships, amongst other things. At your initial consultation, your psychologist will be able to talk through what you are currently experiencing and agree a focus for therapy.
There are many different kinds of psychological therapists, and the number of years of training and experience usually reflects the title that a therapist can use. Psychologists are therapists who have a doctorate level of training, and is the most extensive level of training available in the UK. Clinical Psychologist and Counselling Psychologist are also protected titles and are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
It is important that you feel able to work with any potential therapist so getting an idea of their approach and how they work is important. You can ask about their qualifications, experience and specific information about the help that you need. It is also useful to ask about the practicalities of therapy, such as the frequency and policies regarding cancellations and holidays.
Psychologists do not prescribe medication and we would not be able to advise you on this. We work closely with Dr Jon Macklin and Dr Nasim Rasul at Limewood Psychiatry and recommend you contact them.
We often see people who have tried therapy in the past and not having benefited from sessions. Sometimes the particular approach or the therapist may not have suited at the time. Finding the right therapist that you can trust and feel comfortable with is very important. It is okay to try out sessions with different therapists until you find the right fit for you.
Counselling needs to fit your needs and there are so many parts of it that you have a choice over, including the frequency of sessions. Some people come for weekly sessions, some for fortnightly, depending on what is going on for them. You can also change the frequency to meet your needs at any time. Our sessions are 50 minutes.
At your first session, your psychologist will discuss your specific needs and what is realistic to achieve with therapy. Some people benefit from what we call a ‘psychological formulation’, which is a detailed understanding of your difficulties. This can be very helpful for some and usually takes 1-4 sessions. If more sessions are required to achieve your goals then this will be discussed as early as possible in the therapy process.
We accept most major insurance providers, including AVIVA, AXA, BUPA, CIGNA, The Exeter and WPA. If you are registered with a private healthcare insurer and wish to have part or all of the fees paid for by the insurer, a referral from your GP (or with some companies, from a Psychiatrist) may be required by the provider in order to cover your fees. Please contact your healthcare provider to clarify these details.
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