The Consultation

Once you have made contact with me by email or phone, we can arrange one or more initial consultations. Each of these meetings is a 50 minute process which offers an opportunity to talk about the nature of your difficulties and how they affect you. We will also consider together the best way forward and whether talking therapy is best suited to your needs at this point in time; and if so what kind of therapy may be most helpful to you.

The purpose of an initial consultation is to get a feel for whether we can work together. On my side, that involves assessing whether I am able to offer you effective therapeutic input, and whether I feel my approach is going to be useful for you. On your side, it may involve getting a sense whether you feel comfortable with me, my approach and whether you will be able to bring whatever you need to our sessions.

In the initial consultation, we will also talk about lengths and frequency of sessions and other aspects such as confidentiality, fee and my policy around cancellations. It is also a good time for you to ask any questions that matter to you. At the end of the consultation, I will share my thoughts and recommendation with you which will be based on our conversation and my assessment of your psychological difficulties.

If, following the initial consultation process, my conclusion is that talking therapy is not suitable for you, I will talk with you about this and may make recommendations of what alternative support maybe better suited for your specific needs. I might point you to other services in the NHS, the voluntary or private sector.

Confidentiality

I take your privacy extremely seriously and am bound by my professional code of ethics. From the first contact, any information a client shares with me will remain strictly confidential and only shared with my respective supervisor, who is bound by the same confidentiality agreement. Regular supervision is an integral part to ethical and professional therapy practice.

The only exception to this would be if I feel there is a serious risk to your own or to another individual’s personal safety, at which point I am required to inform your G.P. or other relevant agencies. Should such an instance arise I will make every effort to discuss my concerns with you in the first instance and any action taken will be with your full knowledge. During the initial consultation, issues of confidentiality are discussed, agreed and any questions that you may have will be answered.

Services

I offer the following services:

Psychological assessment & psychological therapy with individuals

Long-term group-analytic psychotherapy

Supervision and reflective practice for professionals in the field of psychology and psychotherapy (individuals, groups and teams)

Face-to-face and Skype sessions available

I am fluent in English and German

Fees

Private Health Insurance

I am an approved provider with most private health insurance companies (BUPA, AXA etc). Please note that if you have private healthcare insurance and wish to cover the costs of treatment through your insurance, your insurance company may require a referral from your GP, or a Psychiatrist. You will need to check with the company you hold your policy with what their criteria are.