If you are considering counselling or psychotherapy, it is natural to have questions about what to expect. Below you can find answers to some of the questions people commonly ask before beginning therapy.
If there is anything else you would like to know, please feel free to get in touch.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The terms counselling and psychotherapy are sometimes used interchangeably, and there can be considerable overlap between them.
Counselling may involve working with a particular problem or current difficulty over a shorter period. Psychotherapy often provides an opportunity to explore emotional difficulties, past experiences and recurring patterns in greater depth.
The most suitable approach will depend on what has brought you to therapy and what you would like help with. This is something we can begin to think about during your initial consultation.
What is psychodynamic psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy explores how your past experiences may continue to influence your present feelings, relationships and behaviour.
Our early relationships and experiences can shape the ways in which we understand ourselves, respond to other people and cope with difficult emotions. Some of these patterns may have developed as helpful ways of managing earlier situations but can cause difficulties later in life.
Therapy can help bring these patterns into awareness, allowing you to understand yourself more deeply and consider different ways of responding.
What kinds of problems can I bring to therapy?
You can bring anything that is troubling you or affecting your emotional wellbeing, relationships, work or everyday life.
This might include:
- Anxiety or depression
- Low self-esteem or self-confidence
- Bereavement and loss
- Relationship or family difficulties
- Trauma or abuse
- Intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviours
- Phobias or addictions
- Loneliness or isolation
- Questions about identity or sexuality
- Menopause, retirement or other life changes
- Feelings of anger, guilt, shame, emptiness or worthlessness
You do not need to fit your experience into a particular category. If something is troubling you, it can be talked about in therapy.
Do I need to know exactly what is wrong before contacting you?
No. Many people begin therapy with a general sense that something is not right, without being able to explain precisely what they are feeling or why.
You may feel low, anxious, overwhelmed or stuck. Perhaps similar difficulties keep appearing in your relationships, or you feel disconnected from yourself and other people.
You do not need to arrive with everything clearly understood. Part of the purpose of therapy is to explore your experience and begin making sense of it together.
What happens when I first get in touch?
We would begin with a free introductory telephone or online conversation. This gives you an opportunity to briefly explain what has brought you to therapy, ask any initial questions and decide whether you would like to arrange a full consultation.
The initial consultation allows us to explore your situation in more detail, consider what you would like from therapy and begin thinking about how we might work together.
It is also an opportunity for you to see how it feels to speak with me and whether you feel comfortable taking things forward.
Do you offer face-to-face and online therapy?
Yes. Face-to-face sessions are available at The Balham Practice in Balham, South London. Online counselling and psychotherapy are also available for people who cannot attend in person or would prefer to meet remotely.
We can discuss which arrangement would work best for you during our introductory conversation.
Where is The Balham Practice?
The practice is located at:
The Balham Practice
5a Hillgate Place
18–20 Balham Hill
London
SW12 9ER
How much do sessions cost?
Fees are offered on a sliding scale according to income and are typically between £80 and £100 per session.
Private therapy is an investment, and it is important that the arrangement is manageable for you. Fees and availability can be discussed during the introductory conversation.
How long will I need to attend therapy?
There is no single answer, as this will depend on your needs, circumstances and what you would like to explore.
Some people benefit from focused, shorter-term therapy addressing a particular difficulty. Others choose longer-term psychotherapy to explore more complex experiences or recurring emotional and relationship patterns.
We can discuss what might be most suitable during the initial consultation. Any arrangement can also be reviewed as the work progresses.
How frequently will we meet?
Psychotherapy usually works best when sessions take place regularly, providing a consistent time and space in which to think and talk.
The practical arrangements, including the frequency of sessions, will be discussed and agreed before therapy begins.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Therapy provides a private and confidential space in which you can speak openly about thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to discuss elsewhere.
As a registered member of both the British Psychoanalytic Council and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I work according to their professional and ethical standards.
There are limited circumstances in which confidentiality may need to be reconsidered, particularly if there is a serious risk of harm. I can explain this more fully during our initial consultation.
Will you tell me what to do?
Therapy is not about being told how to live your life or being given simple answers.
My role is to listen carefully and help you explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences and patterns of behaviour. This can help you understand yourself more clearly and make choices that feel right for you.
What if I find it difficult to talk?
It is very common to feel nervous, uncertain or unsure what to say, particularly when beginning therapy.
You will not be expected to talk about everything immediately. Trust develops gradually, and you can approach difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable.
You can begin with whatever feels possible, even if that is simply describing how difficult it is to find the words.
Who do you work with?
I offer confidential counselling and psychotherapy for individual adults and older adults.
Therapy is available face-to-face in Balham and online.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
You do not usually need a GP referral to arrange private counselling or psychotherapy. You can contact me directly to ask questions or arrange an introductory conversation.
However, psychotherapy is not a replacement for medical care. If you are concerned about your physical or mental health, it may also be appropriate to speak with your GP.
Is The Balham Practice an emergency or crisis service?
The Balham Practice does not provide an emergency or crisis service.
If you need urgent mental health help but it is not an emergency, contact NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
How do I get started?
You can begin by contacting me for a free introductory telephone or online conversation. You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
We can briefly discuss what has brought you to therapy, answer any initial questions and decide whether arranging a full consultation feels like the right next step.