What to expect when we work together
What to expect when we work together starts with understanding the difficulty you want help with and considering which service is suitable. I offer couples therapy, individual counselling and support for young people and families, adapting the approach to those involved. An introductory chat is followed, where appropriate, by an initial consultation to explore your needs and questions. Before ongoing work, we agree fees, frequency, confidentiality and how progress will be reviewed. Appointments take place in Brighton or online, depending on suitability.
The free introductory chat
The free 20 minute chat is a chance to explain why you are getting in touch and ask questions. We can discuss the service you’re considering, the setting and whether an initial appointment makes sense.
You don’t need to share your whole history. A brief account of what is happening is enough to begin the conversation.
From first message to first session
Your first appointment
The first session gives us more time to understand the difficulties you want help with. I’ll listen, ask questions and explain how I might approach the work. You can ask about my experience or raise anything that concerns you about therapy. We both have a part in deciding whether to proceed. You are under no obligation to continue after the initial appointment.
Agreeing the arrangements
Before ongoing work, we’ll discuss the fee, appointment length, frequency and cancellation arrangements. We’ll also talk about confidentiality and its limits, including concerns about safety. For children and teenagers, we need to discuss the involvement of parents or carers. Young people should understand the arrangement in a way that suits their age, including how information will be shared.
What sessions involve
With an adult, sessions may include exploring a recent event, a repeated response or the effect of an earlier experience. With couples, I pay attention to the interaction between you and help you examine your part in it. With young people, talking may sit alongside creative activities. The approach depends on who is attending and what we agree to work on. You can tell me if something feels unclear or unhelpful. Those conversations are part of reviewing how we work together.
Reviewing the work
We’ll consider what is changing and what remains difficult. The length of therapy depends on your needs and the approach we agree. For couples, I generally suggest eight sessions after the initial consultation, followed by a review. When you are ready to finish, we can discuss what you want to take forward and how to bring the work to a close.
Questions before the first session
Do I need to prepare anything?
You can think about what prompted you to contact me and what you hope will become easier. There is no need to write a full account of your life.
What if I become upset or cannot explain something?
We can take time. You do not have to make a difficult experience sound orderly before we can talk about it.
Can I choose an online appointment?
Online sessions are available. We’ll consider whether they are suitable for the work and whether you can attend privately.
Welcoming people across Sussex
People in Brighton, Lewes, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Hassocks and Chichester can begin with an enquiry about working together. Local information includes couples therapy for Lewes, adult counselling for Haywards Heath and teen support for Burgess Hill. I welcome you at my Brighton practice and can discuss online appointments if coming in is difficult. A quiet place to speak and the suitability of the format are part of that discussion.
