You can contact me by email, through the contact form on this website, or by phone and ask any immediate questions you might have. From here I usually suggest an initial session for us to meet, either online or face to face. During this we would discuss and think about what is bringing you to therapy and what you are hoping for. In this meeting I can learn about you, and you are able to get a feel for me and decide whether I am someone you could feel comfortable working with.

There’s no obligation to take things further, and you don’t have to decide at this stage. If we agree to work together then we would arrange further sessions. These are an hour in length and usually take place weekly at the same time. We work together for as long as you feel you need, and we can discuss what this might look like in the initial meeting.

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends upon each individual or couple, where they are at and what they are wanting to get out of the work.  It is something we can discuss in the initial stages but as a guide, consider how long you have lived with the difficulties you are facing and how much they affect you?  If something is a shorter-term problem, then this might more easily resolved than something that you have been affected by for a long time.

Many people find that it is helpful to engage for at least 3 months to achieve something useful.  Others find it helpful to continue for longer periods.

For couples considering therapy it might feel difficult to know whether it is right for you both at this time.  In such cases it can be helpful to undertake a pre-therapy consultation period.  This is a set number of sessions (usually 4 or 5) to explore where you both are at and to look at each partners commitment to working on the relationship. In these sessions we can look at some techniques to manage certain difficulties and consider what you each might need going forward, be that therapy or something different.  Contact me to discuss if this is a better option for you.

Sometimes people come to art therapy thinking that they need to have some ability or skill in art, drawing or making. This is not the case. Partly this is because in art therapy our interest isn’t primarily in skill or making aesthetic judgements. Mark making and scribbles can hold as much meaning as a carefully crafted piece of work. All that is needed is an interest and a willingness to try.

Online or distance therapy happens using either a video or voice only connection over the internet. You remain somewhere comfortable in your personal space for the duration of the session. There are a variety of reasons that online therapy can be helpful and beneficial, and it might be something worth considering if you are finding face to face therapy difficult due to access requirements, location or local therapist availability.  Some people like to use a blend of face to face and online work creating a mix that might work better for their individual needs or circumstances.

Payment is made via bank transfer in advance on a monthly basis unless alternative arrangements are agreed between us. I will provide you with a full copy of my practice policies and I invoice for sessions in advance. When able I carry a small number of lower cost places for those on benefits/low wage - please contact me to enquire about availability. I review my fees annually in March/April.

Abrupt endings are discouraged and I encourage early discussion when thoughts or feelings around ending arise so that time can be given to reflecting on this. Endings can often be a powerful part of the process of therapy and much learning can be gained from them regardless of the reason.

Any cancellations made within a 14 day notice period incur the full fee. I will always try to rearrange a session given notice, but this will depend on my availability and is more likely further ahead of time.

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