How to Start Therapy

Starting therapy can seem daunting. Where do you begin and what should you expect? Sometimes a brief phone chat can help answer some initial questions. Here’s what you can expect when you reach out and arrange your first session.

Your First Step – The Initial Assessment

In the initial appointment, we’ll explore what brings you here, what outcomes matter to you, how we might work together, and whether working together feels right. It is an opportunity to get to know each other without obligation to continue.

I will ask questions about you and you’ll learn about what therapy involves, including my framework. You are welcome to ask any questions about the process and my approach.

If we both feel it’s a good fit, we’ll agree on a regular meeting time and next steps. If I feel someone else might better suit your needs, I’ll help you find a suitable colleague or agency if possible.

How Long Does Therapy Last?

Time-limited work can give you a taste of how therapy works. It can also provide focus if you seek to address a specific problem. 12-16 sessions are usually a good starting point.

Open ended work allows for deeper exploration of aspects of yourself that you mightn’t have thought about before. It can last from a few months to years. Usually, we review periodically.

Sometimes brief work can lead into an open-ended framework, or therapy is ended and returned to at a later point.

The length of therapy is unique to each client and depends on a number of factors including what you’re seeking help with and what you’re hoping for from our work together. Usually, we will discuss this in your initial consultation.

Online or In-Person Therapy – Your Choice

I offer therapy sessions in person in Wimbledon (SW19) and Online, and in Hybrid-format. Usually, I suggest we arrange at least one initial in-person meeting as sitting together just feels different than meeting in the virtual space.