A single session of CBT is 50 minutes.
The length of a course of CBT depends on the type and complexity of problem you want to work on, but is usually somewhere between 8-20 weekly sessions. The average is 8-12. Some people find they feel a lot better in less than 8 sessions, some may need more: a lot depends on the nature of your issue, and how long it's been going on.
You may choose to start working with me weekly, and then reduce the frequency of your sessions to suit your progress and needs. If you ever want to return for a ‘top-up’ you will be very welcome.
Even with the best will in the world, CBT is not a quick fix nor magic cure. That said, I’ve worked with clients who have had ‘lightbulb moments’ when something just seems to drop into place. Any kind of therapy is a process that will take time, a commitment to change, and practice. CBT is not a passive therapy and whilst you may start to feel better for just having time and space to talk and share your feelings, the real change starts to happen when you commit to the process including:
We will regularly review your progress, and I will actively encourage your feedback about how you think it is going. If CBT is not helping, or I feel that another kind of therapy would be more helpful, I will be open and honest about this.
Please ask for help immediately: don't suffer alone. Try and tell someone you know and trust how you are feeling.
Is your life in danger? If you have seriously harmed yourself – for example, by taking a drug overdose – or you feel that you may be about to harm yourself, call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E.
If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:
Over 18s living in Oxfordshire
Over 18s living in Swindon
Confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.
Call 116 123 (24 hours a day)
Email jo@samaritans.org
Papyrus (Under 35s)
Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK:
Call 0800 684 141 (9am-midnight every day)
Text 07860 039967
The Anna Freud Crisis Messenger service
The AFC Crisis Messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support for young people across the UK. Text AFC to 85258. Crisis Messenger can help with urgent issues such as:
Yes, I treat all information disclosed to me as confidential.
Your confidentiality will be maintained at all times, however, as part of my own professional development, I need to discuss the clients I am actively working with in clinical supervision. My supervisor is bound by the same ethical guidelines regarding confidentiality as I am. I never disclose names or any identifying information when discussing my clients with my supervisor.
I will not disclose your details to a third party without your prior consent, except under the following circumstances:
In the event that I need to disclose information to a third party, I will always try to discuss this with you first, where appropriate. Please be assured that such circumstances are unusual, but it is important that I am honest and share this information with you upfront.
If you have any concerns about any aspect of confidentiality, please do contact me to discuss. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have to put your mind at ease.
Initial phone consultation
I offer all potential clients a free 20 minute phone or Zoom call. Sometimes, it is more appropriate to have a face-to-face chat, but we can agree on this when you message me. The aim is to better understand your current difficulties and to ensure that CBT would be the most appropriate form of help; also, that I'm the right person to help you. Similarly, it is important for you to have the chance to find out whether I'm the type of person that you'd like to work with. The nature of the therapeutic relationship is very important, and you may feel that we just don't 'click' or that you'd benefit from a different therapeutic style. That's fine and I promise I won't take it personally!
My current fees are detailed under 'Services'.
Discounts for NHS / emergency services / military
I offer a 10% discount for those who work in the NHS, emergency services, carers, military (including veterans) and teachers, upon proof of eligibility.
Funding support & financial hardship
I appreciate that times are hard, and this will prevent some people who are most at need, from being able to afford therapy. I would like to help with this, to the best of my abilities.
I have a number of supported funding spaces for people who most need them. Depending on circumstances, I will be able to offer a significant discount. Supported funding can only be offered following assessment and disclosure of proof of income, or a supporting reference. Please contact me for further information about this. Don't be embarrassed. I'd rather you ask for help.
Please note that all my fees are subject to revision.
Indeed you can! You can access CBT via the NHS, which is absolutely free.
If you are registered with an Oxfordshire GP:
If you are registered with a Swindon GP:
Both CBT and counselling are forms of talking therapy.
CBT prefers a ‘here and now’ approach so thoughts and behaviours that are maintaining the problems can be tackled, although there is some reflection on the past and how this may have started the difficulties for the client.
There are many types of counselling, e.g. person-centred, systemic or Gestalt counselling (to name just a few), all of which work in slightly different ways to support the client. These forms of counselling can also help you to develop insights which may lead to you making more helpful choices and thus improving how you feel. Clients are encouraged to find their own solutions to cope with the issues that face them. Counselling is not about giving advice, instead, it is about providing a safe space for self-reflection. It can be highly effective for helping with problems such as relationship difficulties, changing jobs, bereavement or a loss of some kind, and negative past experiences.
If you're unsure whether CBT or counselling is best for you, I can explain some of the differences in your free consultation to help you make a more informed decision.
No.
There are many titles within the psychology industry that are restricted by law in the UK. These include clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, health psychologist, occupational psychologist, practitioner psychologist, registered psychologist, sport and exercise psychologist. This means that anyone with these titles must be listed with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) by law (http://www.hpc-uk.org/check/).
Some clinical and counselling psychologists might specialise in, or offer CBT, in the course of their work.
Yes I do! I hold an Enhanced Certificate (with barred list) from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), dated 24th November 2023, for my role as Psychotherapist. An enhanced DBS check is the most detailed and in-depth criminal record and barring check that can be carried out in the United Kingdom. I subscribe to the annual update service, so my DBS is always up-to-date. I do this to give all my clients peace of mind.
I understand that life is unpredictable, and that things happen last minute: illness, traffic, childcare, work etc. I will always do my best to reschedule your appointment for the same week.
However, I do require at least 48 hours' notice if you want to change your appointment. Clients can cancel or reschedule an appointment anytime, as long as they provide 48 hours' notice.
If you cancel an appointment with less than 48 hours notice or fail to show up, you will be charged for the appointment.
This cancellation policy is really important for my therapy practice because I am limited as to how many clients I can see in a day. I usually limit this to 5. I reserve a full hour of my time for a client's session and any associated clinical notes. If a client cancels with less than a full 48-hour notice, I will not be able to fill that appointment, and I’ll lose an hour from my work schedule.
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