Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, that's correct. My experience is working with ages 16 and above. Currently, I am only working with clients ages 16 and above. However, I'm happy to discuss potential options.

Don't wait until you are in a crisis. If your mental health is impacting you and preventing you from achieving your goals in life, please get in touch with a trained mental health professional. It is our role to help, guide and support you to be the best version of yourself.

You are worth investing in. Looking after yourself will mean you are in a much stronger position to care for loved ones around you.

Therapy can be beneficial if you're experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or overwhelm; if you're struggling with relationships or life transitions; if you notice patterns of behaviour that aren't serving you; or if you simply want support in understanding yourself better.

If you're unsure, I offer a free 15-minute consultation where we can discuss whether therapy would be helpful for your specific situation. There's no obligation, and it's a good opportunity to ask questions.

The first session is an assessment where we'll explore what's been happening for you, what you'd like to change, and how therapy might help. I'll ask questions about your current difficulties, your history, and your goals. This helps us develop a shared understanding of your situation.

I know it can feel daunting to open up to someone new, so we'll go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My priority is to create a safe, non-judgemental space where you feel heard and understood.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It's practical and goal-focused, helping you identify and change unhelpful patterns.

TF-CBT (Trauma-Focussed CBT) is a specialised form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is specifically designed for trauma. It uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) to help your brain process difficult memories differently, reducing their emotional impact.

CFT (Compassion Focused Therapy) helps you develop a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself, particularly if you struggle with shame or self-criticism.

Often, I use an integrated approach, combining elements from different therapies based on what will work best for you.

I am very aware that I may be the first person you are opening up to about your challenges, and I appreciate how difficult that may be. My first aim is to help you feel understood.

Each session is collaborative and based on your needs. We'll review your progress, discuss what's been happening since our last session, work on specific techniques or explore particular issues, and plan what to focus on between sessions. Sessions are structured but flexible to respond to what's most important for you.

Standard CBT and CFT sessions last between 50-60 minutes. For TF-CBT and EMDR, I recommend 90-minute sessions, as recommended by the EMDR Association UK, to allow adequate time for processing difficult memories and ensuring you feel safe and grounded before ending.

Treatment typically lasts between 6 and 20 sessions, but this varies depending on your individual needs and goals. Some people find brief therapy (6-8 sessions) sufficient, while others benefit from longer-term support.

We'll regularly review your progress together and you're always in control of when therapy ends. You can stop at any time, though I'd encourage us to have a proper ending session to reflect on your progress and plan for the future.

Most people attend weekly or fortnightly sessions. Weekly sessions are particularly helpful at the beginning when we're building momentum and establishing new patterns. As you progress, we might move to fortnightly sessions.

The frequency will depend on your needs, availability, and what we agree will be most effective for you.

Life happens, and I understand that sometimes you need to reschedule. Please give me 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or rearrange. This allows me to offer the slot to someone else.

If you arrive late, we'll work with the time remaining in your session. Unfortunately, I can't extend sessions as I need to honour commitments to other clients.

Standard CBT/CFT sessions (50-60 minutes) are £70 per session online and £80 face to face. EMDR sessions (90 minutes) are £105 per session online and £120 face to face. I also offer a free 15-minute initial consultation to discuss your needs and answer any questions.

I believe in transparent pricing with no hidden costs. The price includes all assessment, formulation, therapy sessions, and any materials or resources you might need.

Payment is required at the end of each session and can be made by bank transfer. I'll provide my banking details when we arrange your first appointment.

I don't work with insurance companies

48 hours notice is required if you need to cancel an appointment. This is because I reserve that time specifically for you and turn away other clients during your session time.

Cancellations without appropriate notice (less than 48 hours) will be charged at half the cost of the session.

I understand that emergencies happen - if you have a genuine emergency, please let me know and we can discuss it.

Unfortunately at this time I do not work with insurance companies

Yes! I offer therapy remotely via Microsoft Teams, as well as in-person at my Rugeley practice in the near future. Online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy and offers greater flexibility.

You can access therapy from the comfort of your own home at times that suit you, without travel time or costs.

Yes. There is a lot of growing evidence that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy. Research shows no significant difference in outcomes between online and in-person therapy.

Many people find online therapy more convenient and comfortable, particularly if they have mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or anxiety about leaving the house.

You'll need: a laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone; a reliable internet connection; access to Microsoft Teams (free to download); and a private, quiet space where you won't be interrupted during the session.

I'll send you a link before each session - you just click it to join. We can do a brief test call during your free consultation to make sure everything works properly.

Yes, absolutely. Some clients prefer to mix online and in-person sessions depending on their schedule, circumstances, or how they're feeling. Just let me know your preference when we book each session.

EMDR is specifically designed for trauma and is recommended by NICE and WHO as a first-line treatment for PTSD. It often works faster than traditional talking therapies and doesn't require you to talk about the trauma in detail.

CBT can also be very effective for trauma, particularly when combined with other approaches. During our initial assessment, we'll discuss your specific situation and I'll recommend the approach that's likely to work best for you.

Sometimes we use both - starting with EMDR to process traumatic memories, then using CBT to address any remaining difficulties.

Yes, CFT was specifically developed for people who struggle with high levels of shame and self-criticism. If you find that even when you can change your thinking patterns, your inner voice remains harsh and critical, CFT can help.

CFT teaches you to develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself, treating yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a good friend. This is strongly linked to improved emotional wellbeing and better mental health outcomes.

I work with a wide range of mental health difficulties including: PTSD and complex PTSD, depression, anxiety (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, panic), OCD, phobias, low self-esteem, perfectionism, overthinking and excessive worry, insomnia, stress, and trauma histories.

I have particular expertise in working with trauma, PTSD, and complex presentations. If you're unsure whether I can help with your specific difficulty, please get in touch for a free consultation.

Yes. Many physical symptoms are linked to our mental and emotional state - things like tension headaches, stomach problems, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties often improve as we address the underlying psychological issues.

If you have physical symptoms, it's important to have these checked by your GP first to rule out medical causes. Once we know the symptoms are related to stress, anxiety, or other psychological factors, therapy can be very effective.

Yes, everything you share in therapy is confidential. I follow strict professional guidelines set out by the BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies).

The only exceptions to confidentiality are if you disclose something that suggests you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, or if I'm legally required to break confidentiality (which is extremely rare). If I ever needed to break confidentiality, I would discuss this with you first wherever possible.

I am a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with a background in Mental Health Nursing. I am also an NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN). I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

I have completed the IAPT Clinical Supervision Course and the Developing as a Clinical Supervisor in CFT course. I engage in regular clinical supervision myself and undertake ongoing professional development to ensure I provide the highest quality care.

I am a member of BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies) and the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).

Yes, I keep clinical notes for each session. These notes help me track your progress, remember important details, and provide continuity of care. They're stored securely and confidentially in line with GDPR and professional requirements.

You have the right to access your notes at any time - just let me know if you'd like to see them.

If you are in an urgent crisis and feel you might harm yourself or someone else, please contact emergency services (999) or go to your nearest A&E department immediately.

For mental health crisis support, you can also contact:
• Samaritans: 116 123 (available 24/7)
• NHS Mental Health Crisis Line: 111 (select the mental health option)
• Your local crisis team (contact details available through NHS 111)

Therapy is most effective when you're not in acute crisis. If you're currently in crisis, I'd recommend accessing immediate support first, then we can arrange therapy once you're more stable.

Therapy with me might not be suitable if you're experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties that require input from a multidisciplinary team (including psychiatry, mental health nursing, and other specialists).

In these cases, NHS mental health services or specialist private clinics would be more appropriate. I'm always happy to discuss your situation and help you find the right support, even if that's not with me.

The first session is usually one-to-one, as this helps build the therapeutic relationship and allows you to speak freely. However, if you'd feel more comfortable bringing someone to your first session, we can discuss this.

For ongoing therapy, sessions are typically individual. However, there might be occasions where it's helpful to bring a partner or family member - we can discuss this if it feels relevant to your therapy.

It's important that you feel therapy is helping. We'll regularly review your progress together, and I encourage you to tell me if something isn't working or if you're not finding our sessions helpful.

Sometimes we need to adjust our approach, try different techniques, or address what's getting in the way. If we can't find a way forward together, I can help you find alternative support that might be a better fit.