​About Therapy

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Do I need to know exactly what's wrong before starting therapy?

No. Many people come to therapy with a sense that something doesn't feel right but struggle to put it into words. We can explore this together at your pace.

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What if I've never spoken about this before?

Many clients tell me things they have never shared with anyone else. There is no pressure to talk about anything before you feel ready. We begin wherever feels safe and comfortable for you.

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Do I have to talk about my childhood?

Not necessarily. Therapy is led by you. Some people want to explore childhood experiences in depth, whilst others prefer to focus on current difficulties and patterns. Together we can decide what feels most helpful.

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How many sessions will I need?

This varies from person to person. Some clients come for short-term support around a specific issue, whilst others choose longer-term therapy to explore deeper patterns and experiences.

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Can I cry in therapy?

Absolutely. All emotions are welcome in the therapy room. Therapy is a space where you do not need to hold everything together or protect other people from how you feel.

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Difficult Childhood Experiences

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What if I don't know whether what happened to me was abuse?

You do not need a label for your experiences to seek support.

Many people come to therapy feeling uncertain about their childhood experiences. Sometimes they know something affected them but struggle to describe it. Therapy provides space to explore your experiences and their impact without needing to fit them into a particular category.

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My childhood wasn't that bad. Can I still come to therapy?

Many people minimise their experiences because someone else had it worse.

Therapy is not about comparing suffering. It is about understanding your experiences and the impact they have had on your life.

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What if I still love my parents?

It is possible to love people and also recognise that some of your experiences were painful, confusing or harmful.

Therapy creates space for all the mixed feelings that can exist together, including love, sadness, anger, grief, compassion and disappointment.

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What if I'm angry about what happened?

Anger is a normal and understandable emotion.

For some people, anger develops after years of having their experiences minimised or ignored. Therapy provides a safe space to explore whatever feelings arise without judgement.

 

What if I don't remember everything clearly?

Many people have gaps in their memories or uncertainty about parts of their past.

Therapy does not require perfect recall to explore the impact experiences may have had on your life. We work with what you know, remember and experience in the present.

 

What if I was told to keep family secrets?

Many adults carry experiences they were discouraged from talking about.

Therapy offers a confidential space where you can explore those experiences without judgement and at a pace that feels safe for you.

 

What does 'finding your voice' mean?

For some people it means speaking about experiences they have never talked about before.

For others it means setting boundaries, expressing needs, trusting themselves more, feeling able to take up space in relationships or becoming more connected to who they really are.

 

Practical Questions

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Do you offer online therapy?

Yes. I offer online therapy across the UK via Zoom.

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Do you offer in-person sessions?

Yes. I work from my therapy room in Blackawton near Totnes and from The Devon Clinic in Paignton.

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Do you offer EMDR?

Yes. EMDR can be integrated into therapy where appropriate and where it is likely to be helpful.

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Do you offer hypnotherapy?

Yes. Hypnotherapy can be used alongside counselling where appropriate and tailored to your individual needs and goals.

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Are sessions confidential?

Therapy is confidential, although there are some exceptions relating to safeguarding and legal obligations.

These will be explained during our initial session so you understand how confidentiality works.

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What if I am involved in an active police investigation or court proceedings?

If you are currently involved in an active police investigation, criminal prosecution or court proceedings relating to allegations of abuse, it is important that you discuss this with me before beginning therapy.

In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to delay certain therapeutic interventions or seek support from a specialist service until legal proceedings have concluded.

This is to ensure that both your wellbeing and the integrity of any ongoing investigation are protected.

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How do I get started?

You are welcome to get in touch via my website to arrange an initial session.

This gives us an opportunity to discuss what is bringing you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and consider whether I am the right therapist for you.