what to/not to expect

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Any work, conversations you and I have, and notes taken are private. That means private. 

I am not the law, I do not judge you, if you took and take drugs for instance, that's up to you.

A good example is if you turn up pissed to a session and you drove I would suggest leaving your car at the clinic and calling a cab.

Here is what the governing body (the BACP) say about when we step away from confidential; 

"...There are only a few situations when a therapist may find it necessary to pass on information about you to another person, and this will only be to another professional for a legitimate reason.

Examples of situations when this might occur are:

• when the law requires it
• when you or another person are at risk of harm
• therapists talking to their professional supervisors about their therapeutic work
• referring you to another professional for help, or sharing basic information relating to health with a health professional involved in your care"

In practice 

"when the law requires" it is really about serious crime (terrorism for example) not talking drugs 

"when another person is at risk" is a conversation with you and taking about what we do.

No judgments, no history, no consequences (ie; I do not know the people your life revolves around)

This gives you the quite unique space to be free.

This is not a chat. but it doesn't have to feel clinical or cold.

I have spent many years and hours training in this field and also keep my work up to date and relevant with CPD (Continued proofessional development) and supervision (a professional who I work with every month to look at my work and offer feedback and guidance).

It's essential that you feel relaxed and safe so I aim to make our sessions warm and informal.

Still, when we are comfortable together I would look to ask potentially difficult questions or observations to unravel potential blocks or blind spots preventing you from being the best you can be.

Therapy is full of three-letter acronyms that help me in my work and approach but aren't always helpful to you, I will try my hardest to minimize these in our work.

I am fairly open and colourful with my language (obviously I will try and be respectful to my audience!).

We all have busy lives and you have options, if you want to work the same day, the same time we can look at that but if you want to look at each work to find a slot this works to.

If you cannot make a session then as long as you can judge the reason alongside the truth of respect O can be flexible, ie;

I am really sorry but I cannot make today's session as my car has a flat - fair enough

Sorry I forget about the session we have  in 10mins - not really 

I book appointments on Google calendar, invite you to it, and send a reminder the day before.

I work wither online or in person and be flexible to alter these at your convenience.

I get asked this a lot, I normally ask people to think about if they asked a gym instructor "how long till I'm fit?", to which the response might be

- depends on how fit you are now

- how committed you are to do the work

- how regularly you work (normally once a week is sufficient)

- where you want to get to

We start with goals/expected outcomes and review regularly, you are in control and you can stop at any point. Ending can be hard and we can discuss if lowering frequency may be helpful.

For those who have never experienced it it's;

- talking with no limits

- having no consequence with what you say

- feeling safe

- being challenged with no agenda

- being heard

- having someone who can wonder and explore with you the why and what if?