How many sessions will I need?

I will need to meet you for an assessment, which will help me begin to understand the nature of the difficulties you are experiencing before I can say how many sessions you will need. CBT is time-limited and can typically last between 5 and 20 sessions. However, if you’ve had your problem for many years, or you have multiple problems, therapy can last longer than 20 sessions. It is an individualised process and the duration will depend on the nature of your problems and on how sessions progress.

How can CBT help me deal with the past?

CBT is a therapy that is focused primarily on the here-and-now. We can certainly examine the development of your problems, and get an understanding of what may have contributed to them starting, and having an insight what happened in the past to shape your current experience often brings relief. One of the main principles of CBT is that we cannot change the past; we can only change how we think about, and understand the past, and our work together will examine what happened in the past in light of what we understand in the present.

There are two primary focuses of your CBT sessions: we will work on changing current behaviours that serve to maintain your problems, in order to help you act in ways consistent with your values and goals.

In addition, you will also learn how to pay more attention to your thoughts, and turn the more negative, unhelpful thoughts into more helpful thoughts. We will examine not only the ‘surface level’ automatic thoughts that pop into your mind on a daily basis, but we will also look into the deeply rooted core beliefs that you have about yourself, the world and others. This will enable you to move forward in life, instead of being held back by your past experiences.

How much do sessions cost and do you work online?

Sessions are 50 minutes in length and cost £75 via video or £85 if face to face. Working online enables me to see clients throughout the UK, however I do not currently work with CBT clients from outside the UK.

I accept referrals for clients covered by the following insurance companies:

Aviva, AXA PP, Bupa and Vitality

How often do we need to meet?

At the start of treatment we will meet weekly. Once you start to feel better we will can discuss reducing the frequency of our sessions - we may decide to meet fortnightly, for example. We can plan for some follow-up sessions once you feel ready to end therapy. These sessions will help you to maintain the progress you have made, and would typically occur after 3 and 6 months.

How soon can I expect to feel better?

Some people find it helpful to just come and talk to somebody about their difficulties, especially if this is the first time they are opening up. However, therapy is a process, and it can take a few sessions for you to start to benefit ftom the therapeutic strategies you will learn. Often, as people begin to understand their problems, and learn more about how they developed and are being maintained, they may have ‘lightbulb moments’, and as they begin to examine their thinking they change their perspectives and behaviours, leading to a change in the way they feel.

I’ve heard that CBT includes homework - what does this mean?

After the initial assessment stage of therapy, which can take up to 3 sessions for your therapist to get a good understanding of your current situation and problems, you will be introduced to a set of skills and techniques which will require practice on your part between sessions. This home practice for the other 6 days of the week is as important - if not more so - than the 50 minutes per week spent in the session. It’s like learning to the play the piano - if you do not practice between sessions it is unlikely your skills will improve - and the same principle applies to your new knowledge and awareness gained in sessions.