I offer an initial consultation to all prospective clients. It is an opportunity to meet before committing to regular sessions. I see it as a mutual assessment. This first meeting allows clients to find out more about the therapy process and how I work. Equally, it enables me as a therapist to learn about each client issues and what therapy may offer them. As with every therapy session, you can expect to be heard respectfully in a safe and confidential environment.
An initial consultation is usually more structured than therapy sessions. I will support each client in expressing their needs and carefully listen to their issues, answer any questions and assist them in formulating aims for future therapy. Occasionally, all you may need is one session to help you with the crisis. There is a charge for the initial consultation as for any follow-up sessions.
Our first meeting is also an opportunity to discuss your expectations as far as the length of therapy is concerned. I offer you a choice between counselling that is mostly short term, often focused on a specific issue and psychotherapy that involves in-depth exploration of underlying patterns of behaviour. In order to do the latter, a longer period of therapeutic work is often needed. In both instances, for therapy to be effective it requires your commitment usually to regular weekly sessions of 50 minutes.
If we decide to continue we shall agree on the dates and times of our meetings and from then on those sessions will be yours. Regular attendance and continuity are important in therapy as they give a reliable feeling of structure to the process. If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason please let me have as much notice as possible. If you are unable to give at least 7 days notice there will be a cancellation charge of the normal fee for the session. I will let you know in advance of my holidays, during which time no fee is due.
The safe environment of therapy sessions enables a client to gain awareness of what they do and how they do it. Therapy allows clients recognise how they limit or control their behaviour in the here and now and how that has a profound impact on their wellbeing and relationships in general. This process of self-discovery may be accompanied at times by powerful emotions such as sadness, shame, anger, grief, disappointment as well as relief, joy and pride.
The shifts and changes required may be slight or far-reaching. As people familiarise themselves with their fears and anxieties, curiosity and excitement become the ‘elemental shaping force’ of our relationship with others and the world at large. And most of us can, with insight and support, achieve changes which open up new directions and a renewed sense of life as exciting and magical.
I also facilitate personal development and therapy groups. Psychotherapy and counselling sessions can also be held in Polish.
If you wish to book an initial appointment or inquire about my availability and fees, please click here.
