CONSIDERING THERAPY
Considering therapy?
You do not need to decide whether you “qualify” for therapy before contacting a therapist. The more useful question is whether it could help with something specific that is already affecting your life.
How serious does it need to be?
You do not need to be in crisis. People often wait because they are still working, parenting and generally functioning, even while a relationship is deteriorating, sleep is poor or the same decision has remained open for months.
A more useful question is what the problem is costing you: how much space it takes up, what it is doing to your relationships, attention or judgement, and how long the same pattern has been repeating.
“I already understand why I do it”
Analytical clients often arrive with a good explanation already.
You may understand why you avoid conflict, where the pattern started and what a therapist is likely to say about it. Then the same thing happens again on Thursday.
Insight is useful, but understanding a pattern intellectually does not always change what happens when the situation appears again.
What happens for 50–60 minutes?
Sessions start with the issue that brought you in.
We look closely at what happened before and after the moment you are describing. I will point out patterns, contradictions or explanations that seem important when they appear.
Some sessions stay close to the immediate situation. Others move into earlier experiences, family or relationships when that helps make sense of what is happening now.
If you are sceptical
You do not have to believe in therapy as an idea. The first few sessions should give you enough information to decide whether the conversations are useful and whether I am somebody you can work with.
Starting without a polished explanation
You do not need a polished explanation before getting in touch. A first message can be as simple as:
- “I can’t switch off.”
- “My relationship is going badly.”
- “I keep thinking about leaving.”
- “I don’t really know what is wrong, but I haven’t felt like myself for a while.”
Frequency and commitment
Individual sessions usually last 50–60 minutes. I normally begin weekly for at least the first few months because regular contact gives the work continuity.
We can review frequency later.
You can stop whenever you choose. I do ask people to be realistic about commitment. Psychotherapy is different from booking an occasional conversation only when something urgent happens.
The first conversation
Send a short note about what brings you here and where you are located.
If the situation fits what I offer, we arrange an initial conversation. The relevant fee and any location-specific practicalities are made clear before ongoing work begins.
Still not sure what you would bring?
Start with the situation, not a diagnosis.
The Work & Life Check gives you a structured look at five areas that often bring people here.