Our first session is an assessment session. This is where I understand more about you, the reasons you are seeking therapy, a bit about your background and experience. Together we will build a shared understanding of why you feel the way you do. Following this, we will agree a plan for your appointments.

After the initial assessment, your appointments will look different each week, depending on the type of therapy you are completing. Therapy with me is an active process, it is not counselling and involves working on things proactively in order to create change as quickly as possible.

This is an opportunity for you to tell me a little about what you are looking for and for me to tell you about me and what I offer. We can then decide together whether I am the right person to help you now.

The 15 minute consultation usually happens by phone.

Walk and talk sessions are held on Northchurch Common. We will walk at a gentle pace whilst we conduct therapy. Appointments are individual - the only difference is the setting. This means that you can experience the combined benefits of fresh air, getting moving and therapy all at once. Steps will be taken to protect your confidentiality throughout and this can be discussed in the 15 minute consultation.

Walk and talk sessions are only available to women.

During and since COVID many services offer remote therapy. I have no reason to believe that this form of therapy is any less effective than in-person therapy and my experience tells me it works well. All therapy types, including EMDR, can be offered successfully online. However, it comes down to personal preference. This is why I offer a choice.

The main therapies I offer are EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

We will decide together which therapy would be most effective and suitable for you. Of course you have a choice however, it is important to me that we do not embark on a therapy that will not be effective or suitable for the problems you are facing.

It is hard to know if you will 'gel' with someone. You will get an idea about me, the kind of psychologist I am and the way in which I work, during the 15 minute consultation. Throughout therapy I will check in with you about how you are finding the sessions and will always do my best to change track if we need to.

Occasionally, during the first 1-4 sessions I may identify issues that I feel are not best treated by me. If this is the case I will discuss with you a plan. This may involve referring you to local mental health services or other private clinical psychologists with more expertise or specialism in particular areas. This will be discussed together and agreed before we end our sessions.

Usually appointments are weekly but if this doesn't work for you I can try to be as flexible as possible.

How long you see me for depends on you and your unique circumstances. After the initial assessment we will usually contract an amount of sessions so you are able to plan ahead. There is no minimum or maximum amount of sessions

I currently work privately on Tuesday-Friday

50-60 minutes depending on circumstances

In-person therapy appointments in clinic cost £150 per session

Walk and talk appointments cost £150 per session

Online/remote appointments cost £135 per session

Payment is by BACS

Yes. I am registered with most major insurance companies. Please get in touch to find out if I work with your particular insurance company.

I can do my best to be flexible. However, you are liable for the cost of a booked session whether or not you attend, unless you give at least 48 hours notice of cancellation.

If you have health insurance please check your agreement as many insurers will not cover the cost of cancelled appointments and this will therefore need to be self funded.

Contact is by booked appointment only. This is so I can fulfil my commitments to all clients that book to see me, without clinics becoming delayed. If you need more frequent contact than the planned sessions this may suggest I am not the right service for you. I am not a mental health service and cannot provide crisis support in this regard.

If you need more urgent mental health support please call NHS 111 whom will put you in touch with your local first response mental health service.

What you talk about in the session is treated as private and confidential. There are three exceptions:

1. If there is a risk of harm to yourself or another, it may be necessary to contact another professional person (like your GP) about your situation. In most circumstances I will consult you before doing this.

2. If I am concerned about risk to you or others I will likely make a crisis plan with you, this will involve outlining whom I will contact in the event of a mental health crisis.

3. As part of good professional practice, I will take some of the material from your session to supervision. Your confidentiality is respected and this is anonymous.

Yes. Please go to the Referrals page to make an online referral.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help you can:

1. Book an urgent appointment with your GP.

2. Contact NHS 111 whom can put you in touch with your local mental health first response service.

3. Internet search your counties mental health crisis helpline or crisis team and call this number.

4. If you are in immediate danger contact 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.