FAQs
Psychotherapy and counselling are related but distinct. Counselling tends to focus on specific, present-day difficulties and is often shorter-term. Psychotherapy is usually a deeper, longer-term process that explores how past experiences, relationships and patterns of thinking shape the way we feel and behave today. As an integrative psychotherapist, I draw on both, tailoring my approach to what each client needs.
What is psychotherapy and how is it different from counselling?
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The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and for me to understand what has brought you to therapy. I’ll ask about what you’re experiencing, a little about your background, and what you’re hoping to get from our work together. There’s no pressure to share more than feels comfortable. By the end, I’ll share my initial thoughts on how we might work together and how long that might take. It’s also a chance for you to ask me anything and to get a sense of whether we feel like a good fit.
What can I expect from my first session?
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Yes. I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation before we begin. This gives us the chance to talk briefly about what you’re looking for and for you to ask any questions. It also helps me understand whether I’m the right therapist for you, and if not, I’m happy to suggest other options.
Do you offer a free consultation?
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How long does therapy last?
This varies from person to person. Some people find that 8–12 sessions gives them what they need; others find that longer-term work, sometimes a year or more, allows for deeper and more lasting change. I don’t believe in keeping clients in therapy longer than is useful, and we’ll discuss this openly as our work develops. After your first session I’ll share my recommendation, but ultimately the pace and duration is something we decide together.
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Sessions are usually weekly, at the same time and on the same day each week. Regular weekly sessions help build momentum and allow the therapeutic relationship to develop. We’ll find a rhythm that works for you.
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When will my sessions be and how often will we meet?
Sessions are £80 for 50 minutes. I reserve a small number of places at a reduced rate for those who would find the full fee a significant barrier.
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How much do sessions cost?
Yes. I offer therapy both in person at my practice in Summertown, Oxford, and online via secure video call. Many clients find online sessions just as effective and they offer greater flexibility, particularly for those who travel, work irregular hours, or live outside Oxford.
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Do you offer online therapy?
Confidentiality is fundamental to the therapeutic relationship. Everything you share with me remains private. There are a small number of exceptional circumstances in which I may be required to break confidentiality — primarily if I believed there was a serious risk to your life or the life of someone else — but I would always aim to discuss this with you first where possible. I will explain my confidentiality policy in full when we begin working together.
Is everything I say confidential?
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Integrative psychotherapy draws on more than one therapeutic tradition rather than working from a single fixed model. My practice blends psychoanalytic and humanistic approaches, which means I pay attention both to the deeper, often unconscious patterns that shape our lives, and to your present experience, sense of self and capacity to grow. I also work relationally — meaning the relationship between us is itself part of the therapeutic process — and I pay attention to how emotions are held in the body, since stress, anxiety and trauma often show up physically as well as psychologically.
What is integrative psychotherapy?
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Many people come to therapy at a moment of crisis; others come because something feels quietly wrong and they can’t quite name it. Both are equally valid. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself or others, or simply want to understand yourself better, therapy can help. If you’re unsure, the free 15-minute consultation is a good place to start — it costs nothing and commits you to nothing.