No, you do not need to be referred by your GP. If you are planning to fund your therapy through your health insurance policy obtaining an authorisation number may require a GP referral for psychological services. It can be helpful to keep your GP informed of your therapy to ensure continuity of care. I never automatically pass any information to your GP without your consent.

Each session lasts 50 minutes and usually takes place on the same day at the same time each week.

Following your initial assessment, should you wish to carry on working with me we will reserve a weekly time slot for you to ensure continuity of your sessions. I require 24-hours notice for cancellation of a session. I will always do my best to offer an alternative slot if one is available. You can end your therapy at any point by giving 48-hours notice before your next session. It is recommended to at least have one final session to wrap up any therapy processes we may have started together.

Concession rates are considered if you are an NHS worker, student, or if special circumstances apply.

Clinical Psychologists do not prescribe medication, however, we regularly work with clients who take medication. If there is a possibility that you will benefit from medication alongside talking therapy, this will be brought up in sessions. I recommend that clients make an appointment with their GP to request medication. A referral to a private psychiatrist who can carry out specialist assessments and prescribing can also be made.

If you are self-funding, the fee for each session is £110. You will be invoiced following each session. If you are using health insurance to fund your sessions I can claim directly from the insurer on your behalf. I charge within insurance rates so you will only pay an excess fee if this is an agreed part of your insurance scheme. I am registered with many major health insurers. Please see the insurance coverage section of this website for more information.

I will be able to give you an indication at the first assessment appointment, however, as a rough guideline: Mild concerns: 8-15 sessions Moderate concerns: 20-30 sessions Significant condition: 40+ sessions Each therapy process is unique and we will continue to reassess if your goals and objectives are being met. You are free to stop your therapy at any time, and are never under any obligation to continue. Some clients find that even having an initial assessment already triggers a positive change. Likewise, some may recognise they do not feel quite yet ready to explore painful experiences or memories. Following a period of regular sessions some clients find it helpful to have a periodic "booster" or "top-up sessions," for example every 3 months. As much as possible, I will aim to schedule a regular, recurrent sessions for you, for example, on the same day and time each week.

Clinical Psychologists can help when psychological symptoms meet a threshold that means they are significantly or regularly impacting on your daily life, functioning and relationships. Through therapeutic techniques we are able to support you in managing these symptoms as well as also get to the root cause to try and effect more long-term relief and change. Clinical Psychologist titles are protected in the UK. They refer to someone who has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology and a masters or doctoral degree in clinical psychology, as well as public health clinical work experience. It takes an average of 9 years to become a Clinical Psychologist. All Clinical Psychologists are registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - who are the regulator for 16 autonomous health professions. HPCP distinguishes between 7 different practitioner psychologists: Clinical, Counselling, Educational, Forensic, Health, Occupational and Sport and Exercise. HCPC can be thought of as an equivalent organisation to GMC (General Medical Council) for psychologists.