Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

What age clients do you see? I usually see clients that are aged 18 and over. I sometimes see clients from aged 16.

How long is each session? Regular individual and couples session costs £75 and lasts 60 minutes.

Where will I see you and is it private? My service is private and confidential. We will see each other in person, at 189 Newland Avenue in Hull. 

Is there a toilet? Yes. There is a toilet.

Are you a qualified therapist working to a high standard? Yes. I studied for three years gaining my Diploma in Integrative and Transactional Analysis Psychotherapeutic Counselling. I am trained to a high level 6 (degree level), many counsellors are trained to Level 4/5. I have other related qualifications including a Social Work Degree, Social & Behavioural Studies, Teaching in The Lifelong Learning Sector, DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) as well as Trauma training called TDS (Towards Dialectic Self). I am an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. I am a member of the Ellesmere Counselling and Psychotherapy Training organisation who are accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. I am a member of the Independent Commissioner’s Office for General Data Protection Regulations. I engage in regular supervision to ensure my work is to an agreed high ethical and safe standard, as will any counsellor practicing in an ethical and safe way.

What sort of therapist are you? I am a down to earth professional and I love working with real people on real issues. I am warm, compassionate and chatty. My integrity and practicing ethically is vitally important to me and I abide by the principles and codes of conduct of the organisations of which I hold professional memberships. I use humour and hold proudly the belief that every one of us is valuable and beautiful in our differences and that therapy doesn’t have to feel like something you have to endure. It is of the utmost importance to me that I bring genuineness, hope and honesty to my practice. My impartial and inclusive approach and willingness to ask you questions you may find challenging offers you the opportunity to feel safe and to trust the process of therapy. 

What can I talk about? You can talk about whatever you want – including things you may not feel you can tell other people.

What does Integrative mean? It means using different models and methods that best suit you and it also means helping you to feel whole as a person through increasing your self-awareness. 

What is Transactional Analysis and why do you use it in your practice? I believe that an awareness of who we are, how we think and what we feel, helps us learn that it’s Okay to be ourselves. Our past can help us make sense of our lives and it does not have to define or limit us. It is through creating a genuine sense of connection in how we relate to ourselves and others that we can empower ourselves to change our thinking, feeling and behaviour. Transactional Analysis or TA helps us to achieve this through finding more effective ways of communicating and getting to know ourselves.

Do I have to sign up for a certain number of sessions? No. It’s Okay to come for a short period of time – 6 to 8 sessions is usual if you are coming to therapy for one very specific problem. I often see clients for a longer period of time when problems are multi-layered. As I work relationally I believe that we need to build a trusting therapeutic alliance together so you can get the best from your therapy with me. How many sessions is something we would agree and review regularly together. 

How often do you see clients? The clients I see usually like to have weekly or fortnightly sessions. I find that this works well generally. We can talk about what you would like. When reaching the end of our specific therapeutic work, some clients stay on for ongoing support and may have ‘check-in’ sessions once a month or on an ad-hoc basis. 

Why doesn’t your website have testimonials? It is not ethical practice for me to display testimonials of my psychotherapeutic counselling work (UKCP). It is of the utmost importance to me that client confidentiality and safety are established, monitored and maintained at all times.