Question 1

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

My fee is £70 per 50-minute session (online or in-person).
I work weekly wherever possible, as consistency leads to the best outcomes.

For clients using health insurance, sessions are billed at the rate approved by the insurer.

I offer a small number of reduced-fee places for those on low incomes or in full-time study. These are limited.
If you feel you may qualify, please enquire.

Question 2

How can CBT help me?

Accepted Answer

CBT can be highly effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and many others. It provides practical tools and strategies to help you manage distressing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Question 3

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions and behaviours. It aims to identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behaviour to improve overall mental well-being.

Question 4

What can I expect during a CBT session?

Accepted Answer

In CBT sessions, we will work collaboratively to explore and understand your specific concerns. Together, we will identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to your difficulties. I will help you develop personalised coping strategies and techniques to address these challenges.

Question 5

What if I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

I completely understand that sometimes unexpected events can interfere with your appointments. I ask that you give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This will allow me to make the time slot available to another client.

If you do need to cancel or reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible via email. If you happen to miss a session without giving prior notice, please note that the session fee will still apply.

Although regular attendance and active participation at therapy sessions has been proven to predict better treatment outcomes, I acknowledge that life can be unpredictable. If you have any concerns or require changes to our schedule, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to work with you to find the most suitable solution.

Question 6

How long does CBT treatment usually last?

Accepted Answer

The duration of CBT treatment can vary depending on individual needs and the nature of the issue being addressed. Typically, CBT is a time-limited therapy that spans between 6 to 20 sessions. However, I will assess your progress regularly and discuss the estimated duration of your treatment with you.

Question 7

Are you qualified?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I am a qualified and experienced CBT therapist. I hold relevant certificates, qualifications and professional memberships in recognised psychological associations. I regularly participate in ongoing professional development to ensure I stay up-to-date with the latest approaches.

Question 8

Is CBT suitable for everyone?

Accepted Answer

CBT is considered a versatile therapy that can benefit a wide range of individuals. However, the suitability of CBT depends on your specific needs and circumstances. During the initial assessment, I will evaluate your situation to determine if CBT is the most appropriate treatment approach for you. If not, I may recommend alternative therapies or refer you to other professionals who can better address your concerns.

Question 9

How do I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can get in touch with me via email or by filling out my contact form and we'll set up a time to talk. I offer a free initial consultation to see how we can work together. I'm happy to walk you through the process and address any other inquiries you might have. If you would like to book an appointment after that, we can arrange it on a week by week basis.

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Question 10

Is my personal information kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes, client confidentiality is of utmost importance to me. I adhere to strict professional and legal guidelines regarding the privacy and protection of your personal information. I maintain confidentiality unless there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, or if required by law.

Question 11

Can I combine CBT with other forms of therapy or medication?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, CBT can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches or used in conjunction with medication. This will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. We can discuss the best approach during our sessions and collaborate with other healthcare professionals if necessary.

Question 12

What do you mean by homework?

Accepted Answer

In cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), homework refers to the assignments or tasks that you will get to complete outside of the therapy session. These assignments are designed to help you practice and apply the skills and strategies you have learned in therapy to your everyday life.
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CBT homework assignments can take various forms, such as reading a specific chapter of a self-help book, keeping a thought diary, practising relaxation techniques or gradually exposing yourself to feared situations. The aim of these tasks is to help you to develop and strengthen new cognitive and behavioural skills, which in turn can lead to improved mental health and well-being.
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Homework assignments are a crucial part of CBT, as they allow you to take an active role in your therapy and can help to reinforce the progress made during the therapy session. Completing homework assignments can also help build momentum and lead to more significant improvements in a shorter amount of time.

Question 13

What are goals of CBT ?

Accepted Answer

Some goals of CBT include:
Identify and challenge negative thinking patterns: One of the main goals of CBT is to help you recognize negative thinking patterns that contribute to your emotional distress and replace them with more positive and accurate thoughts.
Develop coping skills: Another goal of CBT is to help you develop practical coping skills to deal with stressful situations and difficult emotions.
Improve communication skills: CBT can help you to improve your communication skills and learn how to express your needs and feelings more effectively.
Change negative behaviours: CBT can help you to identify and change negative behaviours that contribute to your emotional distress, such as avoidance or substance misuse.
Reduce symptoms: Finally, the goal of CBT is to reduce symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and many other difficulties.
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Question 14

What are the benefits of CBT?

Accepted Answer

CBT can benefit you in many ways, including:
Improved mood: CBT can help you improve your mood by teaching practical coping skills and allowing you to identify and challenge negative thinking patterns.
Better relationships: CBT can improve communication skills, leading to better relationships with others.
Reduced symptoms: CBT effectively reduces symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Increased self-awareness: CBT can help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, which can help you to make positive changes in your life.
Long-term benefits: CBT is a skills-based therapy, which means that the skills you learn in treatment can be applied to other situations throughout your life, leading to long-term benefits.

Question 15

How can CBT help with OCD?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective for treating OCD. It focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts (obsessions) and gradually reducing compulsive behaviors through a method called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP helps people face their fears without performing compulsions, leading to long-term relief and better management of OCD symptoms.

Question 16

What is my role in therapy?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is a collaborative process. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where we can explore what is happening, make sense of difficulties and develop practical strategies for moving forward.
Whilst our sessions can provide insight, support and guidance, lasting change tends to happen through the small steps that take place between appointments. Together we will identify helpful ways of responding to challenges, but it is often the practice of these new skills in everyday life that leads to meaningful progress.
Everyone moves at their own pace, and there is no expectation of perfection. My role is to walk alongside you, offering support, encouragement and evidence-based tools. Your role is simply to remain open to the process and, where possible, try out what we discuss between sessions.
Many clients find that therapy becomes most effective when it is not just something that happens for fifty minutes each week, but something that gradually influences how they approach the rest of their lives.

Question 17

What Are Your Working Hours?

Accepted Answer

I offer appointments during the day, Monday to Friday, between 9:30am and 3:00pm.

Question 18

How Often Do We Meet?

Accepted Answer

I generally recommend meeting weekly to begin with, as this helps build momentum and allows us to work consistently towards your goals.
Clients who choose a regular weekly appointment are given priority. If you would prefer to attend less frequently, I offer an online diary system which allows you to book appointments as needed. However, appointments can fill quickly, so I recommend booking several sessions in advance if you would like to secure specific times.

Question 19

How Do I Arrange Payment?

Accepted Answer

I ask that payment is made at least 48 hours before our appointment. This helps ensure that we have both reserved the time and allows me to keep appointments running smoothly.
Many clients find it easiest to make payment when booking their session. If payment has not been received, the appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Question 20

What if I am late for my session?

Accepted Answer

If you arrive late, we can still use the remaining appointment time. Unfortunately, I am unable to extend sessions beyond the scheduled finish time, as I often have another client booked immediately afterwards.

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CBT Fees & Frequently Asked Questions