Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ section is designed to give you clear, quick answers to the most common questions about my services, so you can find what you need and move forward with confidence.

Clinical & Professional Statement

I work with individuals experiencing both minor and complex mental health challenges, disorders, disabilities, and emotional or life-related difficulties, including PTSD, complex PTSD, attachment difficulties, addiction, trauma, foster care, adoption, adverse childhood experiences, and medical conditions including menopause.

Using a body-mind psychotherapy and psychotrauma approach, you can access experiences beyond language, including pre-verbal and early developmental wounds, and process what you may not be consciously aware of. Recent events or changes may also have impacted you. You may know you are struggling but not fully understand why.

Full commitment is expected from both parties. No initial call is required, during the first session, a personalised treatment plan is formulated and your history discussed, and structured therapeutic work can commence immediately.

For children undertaking therapies, a brief historic summary can be provided via email.

Qualifications & Approach
Clinically trained in EMDR, IOPT, Brainspotting, Hypnotherapy, DDP-informed attachment work, Play Therapy, Neurofeedback, and psychotherapy.
MSc-level qualifications in Psychology (BPS recognised), MSc Play Therapy, BA (Hons) Youth Work, and Level 5 Management.
Expertise includes trauma, attachment, neurodevelopmental assessment (ADIR/ADOS/ADHD), and complex emotional processing.

MBACP Accredited – Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, ensuring adherence to professional standards and ethics.
BPS Accredited – Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, demonstrating recognised training and professional competence in psychology.

Can I come into the therapy room with my child?

If your child is highly anxious or struggles to separate, we may begin by supporting attachment with both of you together before transitioning to individual sessions. Outside of this therapeutic need, it is not conducive to the therapeutic process for parents or carers to remain in the room during a child’s session.

My child or relative doesn’t want therapy. Should I force them to attend?

Therapy is most effective when someone is willing to engage. Forcing attendance can increase anxiety and resistance. Instead, we can explore their worries and build trust gradually. If you’re concerned about their safety or wellbeing, please book a parent consultation to discuss alternative support options. It maybe useful for you to access therapy instead to help you manage such matters.

What if I need to report a safeguarding concern and you are unavailable?

Safeguarding concerns must be reported promptly to the correct services. If a disclosure is not made directly during session time, contact the appropriate local services (e.g., Children’s Services or Adult Social Care). If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call emergency services. Please do not report disclosures to me outside of sessions, as I cannot act on them.

What if I am distressed between sessions?

I do not provide crisis support outside of booked appointments. You can book additional sessions with me to access help. If in distress, please contact urgent support services:
Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
Childline: 0800 1111 (under 19)
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Medical/non-emergencies: 111
Immediate risk/crime: 999 (or 112)

For non-urgent matters, additional sessions must be booked, including parent advice and reviews.

When do I pay for sessions?

Sessions must be paid at least 48 hours in advance to secure your booking. I will send an invoice which also acts as an appointment reminder.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Yes. Sessions cancelled with fewer than 48 hours’ notice are charged at the full session fee.

Do you share information with external agencies?

I follow UK safeguarding legislation. Safeguarding concerns may be discussed with parents/carers where appropriate and/or shared with relevant agencies when acting upon concerns or disclosures. Otherwise, sessions are confidential, and information is not shared without consent.

If I am late, do I still get the full session time?

Sessions begin at the agreed appointment time and finish at the scheduled end time. If you are 20+ minutes late, the session may be cancelled due to insufficient time to work safely. The full fee will still apply.

How can I contact you between sessions?

Administrative enquiries (e.g., scheduling or payment) are welcome via email and WhatsApp.
Therapeutic support between sessions requires booking additional time.
Reports, forms, and professional liaison (e.g., with schools) are chargeable.

How many sessions will I need?

Play Therapy: 12 sessions minimum
Hypnotherapy: 1 - 3 sessions
Neurofeedback: 20 sessions minimum
EMDR & Brainspotting: 12 sessions minimum

Psychotherapy and other modalities vary per individual; recommendations are generic guides. Therapy may uncover deeper layers benefiting from continued support. Sessions can be paused or ended at any time ideally with adequate notice.

Endings if therapy has to stop.

It is dangerous for therapy to end abruptly. For children especially and the ending must be carefully planned over several sessions. If you must stop it prematurely then please let me know ASAP.

Is there a waiting room?

No. There is no waiting room on site. However, the location is close to open green spaces, walking areas, a café, and is approximately a 7 minute drive from Cribbs Causeway.

Is there a toilet on site?

Yes. A short walk from the therapy space.

Is there parking?

Yes. Parking is available on the road outside. Please note that it can be limited during primary school pick-up times.

Can I contact you on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp and email are for administrative purposes only (e.g., scheduling, payments). Therapeutic discussions outside sessions are not offered.

How will I know how my child is progressing?

Therapy is confidential. Children require a private space to build trust. General themes may be shared, but session content is not discussed without the child’s consent. To explore themes, behaviours, parenting approaches, or request a review, please book an additional session or use your child’s allocated time.

How might emotions or behaviours change during therapy?

Therapy may revisit past experiences and cause heightened emotions or discomfort. Temporary changes in sleep, dreams, or physical sensations can occur as the brain processes information. Processing = healing. Emotional shifts vary in length and intensity. Feeling tired after sessions is common.

Do you offer free introductory calls?

No. Sessions are structured to provide value from the first meeting. Full details about approach, modalities, pricing, and expectations are provided throughout this website.

Do you provide therapy or Neurofeedback outside the main therapy space?

Yes. Travel time (round-trip) is charged by the hour in addition to the session fee.

Will sessions run on time?

Yes. Sessions start and finish on time to maintain consistency and respect for all clients.

What happens if I have paid and you become ill?

Sessions cancelled with fewer than 48 hours’ notice are charged at the full session fee.

Can I discuss my sessions with others?

Yes. You are free to share anything you choose. Your therapist remains bound by confidentiality except with consent or where safeguarding applies.

Can I have two types of therapy running simultaneously?

This is not advisable due to potential conflict of interest and overload. Gentle, support, mentoring, or the ELSA programme or similar alongside therapy is acceptable.

Will gaps affect therapy?

For IOPT therapy, 2–4 week gaps are acceptable due to processing. For other therapies, weekly sessions or no more than 2-week gaps are recommended for consistent progress. Ongoing therapy ensures optimal healing. Holidays/sickness etc cannot be helped, please do not worry if on occasion the gap is longer than recommended.

Can my therapist withdraw our work together?

Yes, for reasons such as ethical considerations, re-referral for the client’s benefit, lack of commitment, frequent cancellations, or overstepping boundaries including not following service agreement expectations. You are expected to abide by the service agreement when you engage in therapy, thus is our working contract that we both commit to. Before this happens, the therapist will discuss the concerns with you and work to overcome difficulties wherever possible.

What can I expect from a session?

The therapy space is warm, comfortable, light, and purpose-built, surrounded by greenery. Children have access to toys, games, sand, clay, puppets, and paint, including outdoor space. Adolescents and adults are invited to relax on the sofa, with water, tea, and coffee available. This is a safe space and there is never any expectations to meet, it is important to go at your pace regardless of age and need.

How should I feel during or after my first session?

There is no “right” way to feel. Many people experience neutrality, curiosity, tiredness, emotional release, or uncertainty. Therapy can activate thoughts that take time to settle. The priority is feeling safe and heard. Your first session includes a history-taking assessment to inform your treatment plan.

Should I always be honest with my therapist?

Yes. Therapy is most effective when you share openly, including discomforts, ruptures, and successes. You do not need to protect your therapist’s feelings. In turn, you will not be judged either way and I fully understand that trust takes time to grow.

Is therapy linear or straightforward?

Therapy is rarely a straight line. Progress may feel up and down, and sometimes backward before moving forward. This is normal.

Is therapy measurable?

Progress can be observed externally and internally — improved coping, communication, confidence, boundaries, and deeper insight. Meaningful change is often subtle and accumulates over time. Your therapist will regularly track progress.

Where can you find me?

Pilning, Bristol BS35 (Full address provided at time of booking).
5 to 7 minutes from motorway networks and Cribbs Causeway Shopping Mall.

Is the room easily accessible for wheelchair users?

There is a short walk from the road through the garden to reach the therapy room. This involves either a few steps or a gentle grass slope. There is a small step up into the room itself, so unfortunately it is not fully wheelchair-accessible at this time.

If visiting in person is difficult or not possible, I’m very happy to offer sessions via Zoom as an accessible alternative. Neurofeedback cannot be given online, and I will work with you to best accommodate.

If you have any specific mobility needs, please let me know and I’ll do my best to help you plan your visit comfortably.

Working hours

My working hours in private practice are Monday to Wednesday 8am until 5.30pm. (4.30pm is the last session of the day).

Fees

In Person & Zoom

Family Therapy including parent and child in one session: £90 per one hour session

Singular sessions - Adults (For IOPT, EMDR & Hypnosis 1.5 to 2 hours is recommended, for IOPT sessions can be less frequent to allow processing).

50 minutes £80

1.5-hour £140

2 hours £185

Child Therapy (up to 16 years): £75 per 50-minute session

Neurofeedback (adults & children): £120 per 1 hour session session

Reports: £120 per hour including DLA written support or medical questionnaires and assessments

Additional Administration: £60 per hour including emails and professional meetings (Charged pro-rata. Example a 20 minute email would cost £20).

Assessments: £120 per hour plus report. Full price upon request.

Coaching £85 per 50 minute session

Supervision £90 per hour

Concessions: No

Fees reflect specialist postgraduate training, evidence-based approaches, and professional accreditation.