This sheet summarises some information about how I work. Please read and check if there is anything you do not understand or want clarifying and ask me.

Philosophy

 My philosophy is holistic, including mind, body, emotions and spirit. My approach is based on an integrative approach to psychotherapy which recognises that there is no one form of therapy which is the best. This means I use techniques from a range of therapies as appropriate, including cognitive and behavioural methods. I value the therapeutic relationship as the heart of all therapy. I am passionate about all approaches which help our integration and growth. 

Initial Session

 We hold an initial mutual assessment session which gives us an opportunity to introduce ourselves and decide whether it is appropriate to work together. If I don’t feel that I am the right person to help you then I will give you as much feedback as possible and suggest other options. I may refer you to another source of help. An initial session is usually 75 minutes long – for couples it is always this long. I usually charge for an initial session. It is very important that we both commit to working together and take the time to come to a careful decision. Choosing the right psychotherapist or counsellor is a very important decision. 

Starting Work

  If we agree to work together, I shall ask you to commit to weekly sessions, if possible, at the same time each week. At any time we can have a review of how the therapy is going and if necessary reassess the frequency of our sessions. Ending, like starting, is a process and we will need to take a number of sessions to end our work in. How many, we would discuss as part of planning an ending.

General Information

• Sessions normally cost £45 per 50 minutes (this is negotiable)- or a little more in Central London. If you are late, time will be lost to you.
• I will be on holiday at Christmas for a week and probably for three weeks in late January next year I will tell you if more are arranged.
• Payment is by cash or cheque or credit card via an email link. I prefer to be paid at the end of each calendar month and can provide an invoice or receipt if required. For some, it may be claimable through private health insurance.
• I require 48 hours notice of cancellation otherwise the full fee is payable. Occasionally I may be able to re-schedule. Please leave a message on my mobile and, if it is near the session time also phone my house number in Salisbury as the mobile has a poor signal at home. Both numbers have an answer machine. Mobile 07973 504121; House 0845 345 8593 or 01722 714530 - it’s the same line.
• If you take prescription drugs or have a medical condition please tell me.
• I require up-to-date contact information for you, and the name of your GP or psychiatrist. I wouldn’t contact them without discussing it with you first and would always share any correspondence with you.
• Please do not drink alcohol or use drugs for the 12 hours before a session.
• For sessions in Compton Chamberlayne; there is adequate car parking outside the house or on the grass verge before the house. If you miss the house driving westwards from Wilton, it is best to drive around the corner to turn right around using the “island” with the bus shelter, as the house is near a dangerous bend in the main road.
• Parking in Central London at 21 Rathbone Street, London W1T 1NF is on meters nearby. It is in the Congestion Charging Zone.

Variations in Sessions

 Occasionally it may be better to work in a different way in psychotherapy. For example some forms of bodywork are better done in a longer session than 50 minutes. For such sessions 75 or 90 minutes are best. We would discuss this and what the costs would be.

Psychotherapy and Counselling

 I work as a psychotherapist, counsellor and coach and in the assessment we would discuss what you needed. Psychotherapy is more in-depth and includes looking at the patterns you have from your childhood and the personality you have adopted. Generally it is open-ended in length (except CAT see below). Counselling is more about getting support, gaining understanding and finding solutions for problems in your current life. I t may be for a fixed number of sessions (often 4 or 6 sessions) and then a review. Coaching generally focuses on solutions and the future.

Varieties of Therapy and Counselling

 I have trained in many different varieties of psychotherapy over 25 years and can discuss with you what is most suitable for you. Usually psychotherapy involves looking at the relationship we are developing and using it to help understand what is affecting you as well as to support you to making changes.

Body Psychotherapy  This approach uses an understanding of the ways trauma and your personality is held in the habitual ways you inhabit and use your body. Methods can include working with breathing, movement, posture and expressive work with emotions. Extended work with deeper connected breathing can be particularly powerful. I also work using the body in movement in a larger space than a traditional therapy room.

Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT, formerly Seemorg see www.aitherapy.com ) This is the first complete body-centred, psychodynamic, transpersonal energy psychology which can dramatically accelerate and deepen growth, insight and transformation. I have been training in this approach since November 2007 with its founder, Dr. Asha Clinton a Jungian analyst with 28 years experience.

Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)  This approach was developed by Dr. Anthony Ryle over the last 20 years at Guy’s Hospital (where I trained). It uses the active involvement of the client and therapist within a limited framework of 16 or 24 sessions with a follow-up session after 3 and 6 months. There is a collaborative looking at both your inner world and how it developed from childhood experiences as well a how current behaviours are maintaining difficulties that you have.

Couples Therapy  I work with couples on sexual and relationship difficulties. I work by understanding your unique style of relationship and how it is working or not for you. It usually involves homework tasks and I may also see you separately as well as together. I do not have a set idea of a “normal” couple or “normal” sexuality.

Sex Therapy & Coaching  I have a long-standing interest in the varieties of human sexualities and can work with you by creating a safe and shame-free space to explore your own experiences of sex including sex addiction. I can help you to move towards the sort of sexual life you want. As this is more coaching than therapy is may be possible to do some of this work via email and scheduled phone calls after we have established a therapeutic relationship.

Ethics

 I work to the ethical codes of my two professional organisations;

AHPP (the Association of Humanistic Psychotherapy Practitioners) - a member of the UKCP the regulating body for psychotherapy in Britain.(see www.ahpp.org.uk and www.ukcp.org.uk)

BACP (the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) see www.bacp.co.uk .