The reasons people seek out therapy are as varied as we are ourselves. Some may seek out help for specific difficulties like anxiety or depression, whilst others may have encountered distressing or stressful experiences which they struggle to make sense of on their own.

It’s sometimes not easy to acknowledge that we are not able to work a problem out by ourselves, but as they say, two heads can often be better than one.

Fees and Appointments

I like to have an initial conversation with you by phone or email, because I want to make sure that I am the right person for you to see and so that you can ask any questions.

My fee for individual therapy is £80 per 50 minute session.

Like most providers I operate a cancellation policy so if you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours notice, you will need to pay the full amount of the session, as this does not give me time to make arrangements for an appointment with someone else. 

Different Ways of Working

My hope is that in looking through these pages and being curious about entering into therapy you are looking to choose an approach that works best for you. Depending on your aims in therapy and the problems that you are struggling with we can talk through and consider an approach that best suits you and your needs. 

I would suggest putting aside a bit of time to think about which way of working would feel right for you.

Therapy Indoors

Face-to-Face

Depending on your location you may prefer to meet Face to Face. I have a consulting room in my home.

On-line therapy 

People access therapy online for many reasons, for example, it may be difficult to find the right therapist in your local area, or you may have child care to think about, or simply prefer being seen when you are in your own home.  

I feel that it is important that the setting should mirror as far as possible a traditional consultation and so I like to check with you that you will be able to access online appointments in a place that feels private and safe. I use Zoom as it is encrypted and protects your privacy. 

Therapy Outdoors

Talking therapy outdoors, or walk and talk therapy as it’s sometimes known, combines the conventional outcomes of therapy indoors with the known benefits that the natural world has to offer. People report a range of benefits unique to out door talking therapy, such as:

  • promoting access and equity of care for people who find an indoor therapy room encounter too uncomfortable (e.g. its perceived pressure and formality, feeling trapped
    or pathologised, experiencing difficulties with cognitive and attentional capacity);

  • enabling people to experience greater shared ownership of the therapy space and relationship;

  • greater freedom of expression through a sense of escape from day-to-day routines and environments that the client has associated with their difficulties;

  • physical movement and/or dynamic surroundings supporting psychological flexibility in those who feel psychologically ‘stuck’;

  • restorative effects of time spent in natural settings (e.g. reduced blood pressure and stress levels);

  • interconnectedness with the natural world providing a sense of belonging and wellbeing;

  • a deeper connection to the natural world supporting positive and reciprocal environmental behaviours;

  • nature’s consistent and indifferent stance towards a person’s perceived flaws and vulnerabilities providing stability and different perspectives on problems; and

  • holistic benefits to the clients’ and practitioners’ physical as well as psychological health.

BPS guidance for the use of talking therapy outdoors (2020) 

The North Coast of Ireland has a dynamic range of beaches, hills and forests that can contribute to developing psychological flexibility. Depending on your aims for therapy (and the type of therapy),  your personal preference and location we can talk about what may work best for you. 

Confidentiality

What we discuss is confidential. The only exception to this would be if you or I judged there was an imminent risk to your safety or that of others. 

All psychological therapists are required to have regular supervision of their clinical work. As a CAT therapist I have regular supervision for both my CAT and EMDR practice. The discussions I have with my supervisor about my clinical work are confidential and I would not use your name or other identifiable personal information during these discussions.