FAQ

If you are ready to make a change then click on 'Book Initial Assessment', alternatively please contact me if you have any questions.

Counselling is a unique journey comprising of my approach, your needs, and the specific issue you bring  That said, here’s a list of some of the key parts of talking therapy with me:

  • Initial contact: You read my website and decide to schedule an initial assessment.  During the initial assessment, I will ask questions about your background, personal history, current challenges, and goals for counselling.  This helps me to understand your unique situation and develop a suitable treatment plan.
  • Building rapport: I’ll do my best to establish trust and rapport between us.  I’ll create a supportive and non-judgmental environment to encourage open communication.
  • Exploring thoughts and feelings:  We’ll explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours related to the challenges you are facing.  I may use different techniques to help you gain insight and understanding of your emotions and behaviours.
  • Setting goals: Together, we’ll set specific and achievable therapeutic goals. These goals guide the therapeutic process and provide direction for your personal growth and development.
  • Developing coping strategies: I will help you develop healthier coping mechanisms to deal with difficult emotions and life situations.  If appropriate I may teach relaxation techniques (e.g. mindfulness), stress management strategies, or problem-solving skills.
  • Uncovering patterns:  You may discover patterns of thinking or behaviour that contribute to your challenges. Understanding these patterns can lead to personal growth and positive changes.
  • Challenging beliefs: I will help you identify and challenge negative or unhelpful beliefs you hold about yourself, others, the world, or the future.  This process can lead to a shift in perspective and increased self-awareness.
  • Support and validation:  I’ll provide emotional support and validation. Feeling understood and heard can be a significant source of comfort and healing.
  • Progress and endings: We’ll regularly assess your progress toward your goals.  When you feel you have achieved your objectives or made significant improvements, we’ll conclude the counselling process with a therapy review session.

Hopefully, this gives you an overview of what counselling with me might be like.

Whilst a successful outcome to therapy isn’t certain, I believe there is good reason to be hopeful that it will work for you.  This hopefulness is based on three reasons.  Firstly, a strong body of research supports the efficacy of CBT.  Secondly, based on this research the NHS is convinced of the efficacy and has adopted a CBT-based approach to make psychological services more widely available.  Thirdly, my experience of working successfully with a range of clients and their issues.

A strong body of research supports the efficacy of CBT

Researchers argue that CBT is the current ‘gold standard’ of psychotherapy for three main reasons.  Firstly, CBT is the most researched talking therapy.  Secondly, systematic results generally favour CBT over other talking therapies.  Thirdly, CBT mechanisms and theoretical models of change are in line with mainstream models of the human mind and behaviour.

Approach validated by the NHS

The NHS state that CBT can be effective for a range of psychological issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders – such as anorexia and bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, schizophrenia,  sleep problems – such as insomnia, problems related to alcohol misuse.  CBT is also sometimes used to treat people with long-term health conditions, such as: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.

My experience is that most clients make progress towards their goals.

I have successfully worked with clients with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, complex grief, self-limiting beliefs, OCD, and PTSD.  I have also personal experience of the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety and self-limiting beliefs.

Duration/length: I offer online and face-to-face work with men with a range of durations depending on your need.  A brief intervention might be less than 1o sessions,  longer-term work is also possible.​​ We’ll regularly review progress toward goals and plan what’s needed.  Each session lasts for 50 minutes.

Initial assessment fee: £25 (payment due when booking).

Second and subsequent session fees: £50 (payment due in advance).

Payment: I accept credit and debit cards.

Location: Online and face-to-face in Leamington.

Cancellation policy:  My policy is if you give less than 24 hours' cancellation notice, then I reserve the right to charge half of the normal session fee.

Late policy: If you arrive late then I may not be able to extend the session, as this will affect my other appointments.

No-shows policy:  If you don’t show up for a booked session without any prior communication, then I reserve the right to charge the full amount for the session, as I will be making myself available to you during this time.

The main reasons that you may want to work with me are:

  • COUNSELLING EXPERTISE.  I have been rigorously trained to Foundation Degree level (FdSc) in one of the most effective talking therapies (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).  During my thirteen years in the voluntary sector (as a listening volunteer, mentor, and facilitator) and my clinical placements (as a CBT therapist), I have worked with a wide range of clients and presenting issues including low self-esteem, grief, relationship issues, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, identity issues, and suicidal ideation.
  • ETHICAL PRACTICE.  I’m a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and adhere to their ethical framework.
  • BROAD LIFE EXPERIENCE.  I have five years experience of being a listening volunteer at the Samaritans and seven years of experience as a mentor, leader, and facilitator at ABandOfBrothers charity.  I also have twenty-five years of experience in the IT industry in various leadership and consultancy roles.  I’m a father and a husband.
  • EMPATHY.  I know what it is to suffer emotionally (e.g. self-limiting beliefs and anxiety) and what it is to grow.