07975 579 711

About Me

Registered Hypnotherapist, Mindfulness teacher and Psychotherapist.

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Qualifications

I am very much a down to earth person passionate about helping people. I use an integrative approach to therapy, which means that my work is informed by more than one approach and that no one approach is held above the others.

Approaches used are Ericksonian, Mindfulness Based Hypno-Psycho therapy and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I’ve also received an extensive and thorough grounding in psychopathology, psychotherapeutic ethics, psychodynamic, existential and humanistic psychotherapeutic methodology and techniques.

I have a strong belief in the ability of psychotherapy to strengthen a persons sense of well being and enable personal growth.

I hold an enhanced DBS certificate and am fully insured to practice.

FAQ

How many sessions will I need?
The amount of sessions needed differs for each person with it being dependant on the presenting problem, for example stop smoking sessions are typically between 1-3 sessions, the weight loss program is 4 sessions, whilst other issues such as depression tend to be more longer term

I work from a short term therapy perspective which usually sees the amount of sessions needed ranging from 6-10. The amount of sessions needed are specific to the presenting problem,

Sessions are once a week or twice a month depending on your requirements and your urgency to work on the problem.

Do I need psychotherapy?
Therapy is often sought for removing the obstacles that stand in the way of personal happiness, If you’re thinking about psychotherapy then you’re probably at a point in, your life where you’re ready to make some changes.

You may have been aware for some time that there are things in your life that need to change and that having made those changes you would feel a lot better.

What can I expect from psychotherapy?
Clients experience many different benefits form psychotherapy such as, an increased self confidence, greater self acceptance, improved relationships with others as well as themselves and the ability to change often long held negative patterns of thought, feelings and behaviour, whilst gaining more clarity and direction in their lives.

Psychotherapy will enable you where needed to get to the roots of problems. You can expect to be listened to non-judgmentally, in a safe environment, where you are encouraged to not just talk, but also to really experience what you are feeling, I will invest my time and expertise for your benefit, with the priority being helping you to achieve your goals.

What can I NOT expect from psychotherapy?
Judgement.

We all need to be able to live our own lives, guided by our own moral compass, learning, experience and intelligence.

The therapeutic space is a safe place to share openly.

What happens in our first session?
The first meeting initially involves a consultation, everyone is unique and has their own unique story to tell, I’ll usually discuss your history, your goals and aspirations and where you are now currently in relation to your goals and I’ll discuss with you the problems that you may be facing that are holding you back. All the work that we do together and any notes that I may take are 100% confidential (the only exception to this rule is, if you intend to cause harm to yourself or to someone else).

A case formulation is then made and a possible plan of action will be discussed with you, I’ll also endeavour to provide you with an estimate of the number of sessions required. Within the first session, where applicable you will be introduced not just to psychotherapeutic techniques but also if appropriate, get to experience hypnosis and to experience how the two modalities (psychotherapy and hypnotherapy) combined together can really benefit you.

Between our initial meeting and the next one, time is spent reflecting on your case and preparing for the next session.

What happens in subsequent sessions?
Each session usually begins with psychotherapy, the aim is to discover and build awareness of yourself, just talking through some of the issues you may be facing can bring about a sense of relief. Therapy provides a safe and supportive place to explore your issues. However as each clients needs are unique, there is no specifically set formula.

Whilst some people are clear about what they want from therapy, others whilst still motivated may only have a vague idea of what it is they want to change or achieve.
The time in therapy enables people to be able to look at their issues from different perspectives and examine the different options. Looking at any underlying negative feelings and working through them together allows them to be gradually ‘processed’ and understood as opposed as opposed to being bottled up and suppressed. Having support, makes it a safer journey and the goals therefore more achievable – than doing it on your own.

Will I have to reveal everything about myself?
Trust is an important part of the therapeutic process. It is also a big word to many people (especially if early relationships in our life have been untrustworthy). Learning to trust could then be a useful therapy goal in itself. As trust builds up in therapy people often feel more comfortable in opening up about themselves and their life story which in turn leads to more self discovery.

Therapy sessions involve collaborative effort. As they are about you, the more you can actively participate in therapy the more progress we will make. You always have a right to take things at a speed with which you can cope.

Can I lose control in hypnotherapy?
The simple and honest answer to this is no! You cannot be made to say anything or do anything that you don’t want to.

If I was to suggest anything to you that you do not agree with, you will automatically reject it or just ignore it.

Hypnosis emanates from deep within you and as such is self hypnosis. The therapy process provides an environment that safely enables you to be able to reach deep inside yourself and find the necessary resources that will allow you to achieve your goals.

Do you guarantee results?
If I could I would, but, I can’t. No responsible therapist would claim to guarantee results. Hypno-psychotherapy is a collaboration between the therapist and the client. I will do my best to ensure your success but ultimately, you control what you do. Just as a teacher can predict a students grade, they can’t however guarantee the student will achieve the predicted grade, the teacher perceives the potential and does the best to ensure the students success, but ultimately it’s the students task to utilise the information for their benefit.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
This is not usually required.
Deposit and Cancellation policy
When booking and appointment you will usually be asked to either make a payment as deposit for the booking of the session of £25.00 or you can make payment for the session in full, the payment is taken by Pay Pal and is secure a convenient way to pay.

The initial payment if made in full or as deposit, is fully refundable, up to 48 hours prior to the appointment if you need to change your appointment time or are unable to attend.
However if cancellation takes place within 48 hours of the appointment then the deposit is held until the appointment is rescheduled. It is non refundable at this point. This policy is discretionary . If a deposit has not been taken prior to the initial session, then a cancellation fee will be due, this fee will be requested through an invoice.

Cancellations have an impact on myself and other clients who could have taken the appointment and such are enforced. However, in the case of unforeseen emergencies – medical or otherwise do arise individual circumstances will be taken into consideration with compassion and on notification the cancellation fee can wavered on a discretionary basis.

Take back control

While they can feel overwhelming, many problems we face are sustained or created by our bad habits of thought and action. Extraordinary change can be achieved by breaking these habits and replacing them with positive traits.

Book an introductory appointment to see if my approach is right for you.

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info@progressivepsychotherapy.uk

07975 579 711

About Me

All you need to bring to our sessions is a determination to do the work of healing.