STARTING THERAPY
Starting Therapy
I consider my role as a therapist is to help think creatively with you about your presenting issue.
‘I provide a variety of therapies but first sessions are the same no matter which therapy we work with. Some people like to blend therapeutic approaches while others want a specific therapy.
My original training was in Art Psychotherapy and this means I am psychodynamically trained. I have completed additional training in EMDR and Solution Focused Therapy.
‘Arts and creative therapies are treatments which involve using arts-based activities in a therapeutic environment, with the support of a trained professional. You don’t need to have done these activities before, or have any particular skills or knowledge.
Different people will have different experiences of arts and creative therapies, but they all aim to:
- give you a safe time and place with someone who won’t judge you.
- help you make sense of things and understand yourself better.
- help you resolve complicated feelings, or find ways to live with them.
- help you communicate and express yourself, which might include feelings or experiences you find hard to put into words.’
First steps
I provide therapy from my workspace and online. My therapy room is easily accessible from the M5 and from surrounding areas. It is in a peaceful rural setting and has car parking space. If you are providing support to an adult or young person you will need to wait in the car as there is no waiting room.
To get started simply call or email using the details on the Contact page so we can discuss what you are looking for. I can answer any questions you may have and we will discuss whether therapy would be suitable.
A free 15 minute phone call can be requested if you would like to discuss therapy and what you are looking for. If you decide to proceed we will arrange an appointment for assessment. This simply means we can talk in more detail about what you are looking for and how I might be able to help.
TESTIMONIAL
I'm very thankful for all your help and support and professionalism you provided. I can see many improvements and I'm very pleased and thankful.'
Book a free 15 minute call / zoom
INITIAL ASSESSMENT APPOINTMENT:
If you decide you would like to try therapy we will arrange a time to meet for an assessment. If you are looking for therapy for a child or person under 18, you will need to attend the first session without your child. This is so we can complete an assessment and talk freely to discuss what sort of support your young person needs without causing any distress to the child or young person.
FIRST THERAPY APPOINTMENT:
The first therapy session will involve thinking together about what has brought you to look for therapy at this time. We will devise an individual, highly personalised approach to your therapy that we both feel is practical and achievable.
Where the appointment is for a child or with an adult who needs support, the first meeting can involve the carer to ensure the child, or adult, feels safe and comfortable. For subsequent sessions carers will need to wait in their car.
THERAPY SESSIONS:
Session content is agreed during assessment and will be tailored to your individual needs. Sessions last for one hour but EMDR sessions can be up to 90 minutes. The number of sessions available will be agreed at assessment.
My therapy room has comfortable chairs and a table as a work area, chairs and optional art materials.
If we are using art therapy then the materials offered are (but are not limited to) paint, clay, plasticine, textiles and sewing, fabric, pastels and charcoal, drawing and collage, glue and cardboard, photography and editing apps and the use of found objects.
All art materials are provided unless we are working online. Any art work created is safely stored in the therapy space for the duration of our work together.