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faq
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, the training towards becoming a psychotherapist and counsellor does vary in length and content. The way that each relates to a client however may be very similar although counselling tends on the whole to be focus orientated and be time-limited. Psychotherapy on the other hand is usually open-ended and thus not limited to a certain number of sessions, and this allows the therapist to explore a wide range of issues.

What is meant by confidentiality?

Everything that a client discloses during a session is subject to the Professional Codes of Ethical Practice, to ensure client confidentiality. The only exception to this is if it became apparent that the client was in danger of seriously harming themselves and or another. In such cases it may be necessary to break the confidentiality clause.

How is open-ended therapy different to time-limited therapy?

A number of therapists will opt to work on a time-limited basis and the number of sessions chosen will depend in part on the nature of the problem and the individual therapists approach. This will tend to vary between six and twenty-four sessions.

In open ended therapy there is no finishing date. The client and psychotherapist will meet regularly until such time that it is felt that the aim of therapy has been achieved.

What is the cost of psychotherapy?

I work on a sliding scale which means that I am prepared to see some clients for low cost therapy. The fee is discussed and settled during the first session. The client will then be expected to pay that sum at the end of each subsequent session.

What is existential psychotherapy?

The existential approach to therapy aims at enabling clients to find constructive ways of coming to terms with the challenges of everyday living. The focus is on the client's concrete, individual experience of anxiety and distress leading to an exploration of their personal beliefs and value system, in order to clarify and understand these in relation to the specific physical, psychological and socio-cultural context. The experience and influences of the past, present and future are given equal emphasis. The questioning of assumptions and facing up to the possibilities and limitations of living is an important part of this interactive, dynamic and direct approach.