Yes, I work from a lovely room in Berkhamsted; a comfortable, private and confidential space offering a place for you to talk freely.
Do you do on-line sessions?
Yes. Even if you opt for ecotherapy sessions, you can change your mind about a session/sessions and opt for on-line sessions instead.
What happens in an on-line session?
Like all sessions, including ecotherapy sessions, we have 50 minutes - 1 hour to talk about whatever you wish to bring. The sessions are not directive, but guided by you. There doesn’t need to be any form of flow to the session and we can address whatever it is you want to bring.
What happens in an ecotherapy session?
We will walk for 50 minutes - 1 hour at your pace and there are several places and routes to choose from, led by you. We will walk side by side where possible and move through the session with you bringing whatever thoughts, feelings and emotions and topics you need to. Where appropriate and in a very natural way, we will use nature’s shapes, paths and design to integrate metaphors, obstacles, terrain and relationships to assist you with your session. Fresh air, movement and front facing talking all goes to enhance the therapeutic process.
What kind of therapy do you provide?
I am an integrative therapist, which means I incorporate different theories into our sessions, led totally by you. These include person-centred therapy, transactional analysis (looking at relationships), attachment and psychodynamic theories (exploring childhood and other life stage influences), Gestalt (working with feelings in the here and now) and cognitive behavioural therapy (looking at alternative patterns of thinking and behaviour). I provide walk and talk (ecotherapy) and on-line sessions.
What’s the difference between counselling & psychotherapy?
In the UK, counselling and psychotherapy share similarities but also have distinct differences in their approaches and objectives.
Counselling is typically more short-term and aims to address specific issues or problems in perhaps a shorter space of time. It focuses on providing practical solutions or coping strategies to tackle immediate concerns. Common topics addressed in counselling sessions include relationship problems, grief, stress management, and career transitions. Counsellors work collaboratively with clients to enhance their overall functioning and well-being within a relatively brief timeframe.
Conversely, psychotherapy tends to be more long-term and involves a deeper exploration of psychological issues and patterns. Psychotherapeutic counselling delves into the underlying causes of emotional and behavioral difficulties, often tracing them back to childhood or past experiences. The goal of psychotherapy is to help clients gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, gaining lasting personal growth and change. It is often recommended for individuals dealing with complex or chronic mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, or trauma.
Do you carry out ecotherapy sessions all year round?
Yes, we will use the ever changing seasons as a backdrop for our sessions and our time together will go ahead unless there is heavy rain or thunder and lightening. You will also have the option to opt out of a booked ecotherapy session and have the session on Zoom instead if you prefer.
How many sessions do I have?
When we work together, we will have a better understanding and can guage this as we go. All endings are discussed between us and we bring our relationship to a gentle close safely and within the right amount of sessions for you and your situation. Through the therapeutic process and ending, we may discover that I can signpost you to other support services, helping you on your way for the future.
Can I bring my dog?
In order for us to focus on you, we’re unable to walk dogs during our sessions. Even the best behaved dogs need attention and furry friends are allowed to have their downtime, so we can focus on you, to get the best out of the session.
I am having sessions with another counsellor, can I still see you?
Research shows, that it is best to only have one counsellor, as having more than one can become confusing, especially as every therapist works differently. When you are ready to change counsellors, I will be happy to have a chat about your requirements.
How often should I come to counselling?
I can recommend you come to counselling on a weekly basis, especially to begin with. You can read here the reasons why this is a good idea. However, I am flexible and understand that life is busy, so when we have our initial meeting, we can discuss timings and frequency to suit you and if you would like to change the arrangement, that’s entirely up to you and we can discuss this at the end of a session.
I don’t want anyone knowing about what I speak about, who do you tell about our sessions?
Everything said in our sessions is completely confidential and I abide by the NCPS code of ethics, which has specific rules around confidentiality. There are some exceptions to this and these are outlined in our contract before we begin. You can ask any questions you may have around this subject, before and during our sessions together and we will go ahead when you are properly informed and ready.
I do offer low cost sessions and have a limited number that I reserve for people who are not in a position to pay the full price. Please contact me for further information. If I do not have any spaces available, I can endeavour to find a counsellor who does have low cost space or I can add you to my waiting list.
