Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Therapy?
Therapy is a process and experience where you can be you real self. You can bring whatever thoughts, feelings or experiences (past or present) that are on your mind, without worrying about being judged or burdening/worrying other people. It’s a process whereby you’ll learn to understand yourself better and learn how to make the necessary changes that will support you moving forward.
2. How do I find the right therapist for me?
Finding the right therapist for you involves considering several factors, including the therapist's qualifications, experience, approach to therapy and membership of an ethical organisation (e.g. BACP, UKCP, NCS etc). It's important you feel comfortable and trust the therapist - most therapists offer a free introductory call which gives you an opportunity to get a feel for whether you'd want to work with them.
3. How often will I need sessions?
The frequency of psychotherapy sessions varies depending on the individual needs. Some people may only need a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing therapy. Most people book week or fortnightly sessions but this is something we can work out together.
4. Is therapy confidential?
In the UK, therapy sessions are confidential, meaning that what is discussed during therapy sessions will not be disclosed to others without your consent. There are certain circumstances, where confidentiality may not be maintained but these will be discussed with you before starting therapy. Therapists are also required to keep brief and anonymised notes of client sessions that are stored for 7 years after the end of therapy. I follow the ethical and confidentiality guidelines set out by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
5. Will anything be put on my medical records?
Therapy sessions are completely confidential, except in certain circumstances where disclosure may be necessary to protect you or others from harm but these instances will be discussed prior to starting therapy. Anything you share in therapy will not be recorded on your medical records. If I felt that it would be beneficial to inform your GP about something discussed during therapy, I would discuss this with you and ask for your consent to do so.
6. How will I access sessions?
Sessions are held over secure video link via Google Meet. You do not need a Google account and I will email you the link to access the call prior to session. You can either click the link or copy and paste it into your browser. Sessions can also be held over telephone call where I will call the number you provide. My number will appear as private/witheld number.
7. What can I expect in my first therapy session?
I offer a free 30 minute introductory call which allows us to gently explore what's bringing you to therapy and gives you an opportunity to see if I am someone you feel you can work with. It also allows me to see how I can best support you so you can get the most out of our work together. The 1st therapy session is typically an extension of the introductory call where we will have more time and space to explore what it is you'd like to work on and to identify where you feel it would be helpful to begin our work together. Don't worry if you're not sure where you would like to start - I am here to support you in figuring that out and to support you in ALL our work together.
8. What is a therapy contract?
A therapy contract is a written agreement between me the therapist and you the client which outlines the details of the therapeutic relationship. It establishes clear expectations and boundaries, ensuring a safe and effective therapeutic experience. The therapy contract covers important aspects of therapy, such as the frequency of sessions, the length of therapy, my availability, and your responsibility to attend sessions. It also includes information on confidentiality and the circumstances in which it may be necessary for me to share information, such as if there is a risk of harm to the client or others. In the UK, therapy contracts are an important aspect of ethical and professional practice for therapists and aim to protect both me and you. By clearly defining the terms of the therapeutic relationship, the therapy contract helps to ensure that therapy is delivered in a transparent and helpful manner, promoting positive outcomes for clients.
9. How do I know you're qualified?
In order to be a registered with a UK counselling and psychotherapy body, practitioners must have met the standards set for education, training, and professional practice. I am a registered member of the BACP which you can verify with my register number: 388722
10. How do I make a complaint?
You can make a complaint via the following steps: 1. Contact me: If you have a concern or issue with me or our work, it is helpful to start by speaking to me directly. I may be able to address your concern and resolve the issue. 2. Submit a complaint to the BACP: If speaking with me does not resolve the issue or you are not able to talk to me directly, you can submit a formal complaint to the BACP. You can find information on how to do this on the BACP website or email complaints@bacp.co.uk. It is important to note that the BACP's complaint process is designed to address concerns related to a therapist's professional conduct and ethics, and is not intended to address issues related to the therapeutic relationship or the effectiveness of therapy. The BACP ensures registered therapists adhere to high standards of professional practice and ethical conduct, and making a complaint can help to ensure that these standards are upheld.
11. I'm not sure by problem is bad enough for therapy
You don't need to be in crisis to want support with your mental health. In fact, its really important to seek support before you get to crisis point. The important thing is how whatever the problem is making YOU feel and how its affecting YOU. If it's getting you down or impacting your life then it might be a good idea to explore it in therapy - no matter how big or small you feel it is. You also don't even necessarily need to have anything 'wrong' going on, you might just want a place to explore yourself and how you feel and to learn some helpful tools so you can be the best version of yourself. If you're not sure whether therapy is right for you or how it might help, book a free 30 minute introductory call with me so we can talk more about it. You can contact me via the form on my 'Therapy' page or email amy@seasonschangetherapy.com