FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW WILL WE KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP?
You will be offered an initial consultation, a chance to tell me more about the situation so that we can decide whether or not this approach is the right one for you and your child.
CAN I BE IN THE ROOM WITH MY CHILD?
We usually ask parents to join their child in the first appointment at least, especially if separation can be an issue. Sometimes if the difficulties are about the relationships between parents and child, it might be helpful to have a number of joint sessions. For older children, teenagers and young adults, it can be important to have a space to think without parents, in which case we will think with them about how to feedback on progress while respecting their need for confidentiality.
HOW LONG WILL THE APPOINTMENTS LAST?
Your initial consultation may last up to an hour. Subsequent appointments will be for fifty minutes, or forty five minutes for very young children.
MY CHILD REFUSES TO COME TO THE APPOINTMENT- CAN I STILL MEET WITH YOU?
If a child or young person is not willing or able to attend for an initial appointment or assessment, you may wish to consider parent work as a way of gaining understanding and support for yourself in relation to your child. Sometimes this can work well in helping things change between you.
HOW LONG WILL PSYCHOTHERAPY LAST?
This depends on the complexity of the situation and the presentation of your child. However, we are usually able to treat problems which have appeared recently and which are not very entrenched within a matter of weeks or months, while offering longer term treatment for difficulties which have been around for a while or are more profound. A short assessment will usually give us a good indication of the length of treatment which may be needed.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Fees are up to £135 but if this is beyond your means you may be able to access therapy at a reduced fee through our charity The Sea Change Trust.
WILL YOU SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT US WITH ANYONE ELSE?
All appointments are confidential, which means we are not allowed to share anything you tell us without your permission, unless you indicate that someone is at risk of harm. In this case, we would seek consent from you to share our concerns before notifying the appropriate safeguarding agency. If you would like us to write a letter to your GP or to school describing our findings or views of your child, we are able to do this for a small fee.