What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a collaborative process between a trained therapist and client that helps you understand and work through emotional difficulties, psychological challenges, and patterns of behavior that may be causing distress. Through regular sessions in a safe, confidential space, psychotherapy helps you gain insight into your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, enabling you to make positive changes in your life. It can address a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, and personal development. Unlike simply talking to a friend, psychotherapy involves evidence-based techniques and a professional therapeutic relationship designed to facilitate lasting change.
What’s the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some distinctions. Counselling typically focuses on specific issues or life challenges in the present, offering practical strategies and shorter-term support for difficulties such as bereavement, career changes, or relationship problems. Psychotherapy generally involves deeper, longer-term work that explores underlying patterns, past experiences, and how they shape current behavior and emotions. Psychotherapists usually have more extensive training and work with more complex or chronic mental health conditions. That said, both approaches can be highly effective, and the boundaries between them are increasingly blurred. What matters most is finding a qualified practitioner whose approach feels right for you.
How do I choose a psychotherapist?
Choosing the right psychotherapist is an important decision. Start by ensuring they hold relevant qualifications and are registered with a professional body such as the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) or BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). Consider their areas of specialization and whether these match your needs, whether that’s sports performance, workplace stress, anxiety, or other concerns. The therapeutic relationship is crucial to successful outcomes, so it’s worth having an initial consultation to see if you feel comfortable and understood. Practical factors such as location, availability, and whether they offer online or in-person sessions also matter. Trust your instincts — you should feel that your therapist is someone you can be open and honest with.
How long does a psychotherapy session last?
A standard psychotherapy session typically lasts 50 minutes. This timeframe has become the professional standard as it allows enough time for meaningful therapeutic work while maintaining clear boundaries that help structure the therapeutic process. Initial consultations may sometimes be slightly longer to allow for a thorough assessment of your needs and to discuss how therapy might help you. The consistency of session length is part of creating a safe, predictable therapeutic space.
How many sessions would I need?
The number of sessions varies greatly depending on your individual needs, goals, and the issues you’re working through, but as a rough rule of thumb, following the initial consultation I’d normally suggest a series of six initial meetings. Most major ‘here and now’ problems can be tackled in this period.
While short-term therapy can be helpful for specific challenges, deeper patterns or more complex difficulties may benefit from longer-term work. During your initial consultation, we can discuss what might be appropriate for your situation. Psychotherapy is a collaborative process, and we’ll regularly review your progress together. Some clients also choose to return for further sessions at different points in their lives as new challenges arise. There’s no fixed timeline—therapy continues for as long as it’s beneficial to you.
Where do therapy sessions take place?
I offer online or in person sessions to suit you. My therapy rooms are located in Farringdon, Oxfordshire, but many clients choose the convenience and flexibility of remote sessions via secure video call.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Research consistently shows1 that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and stress management. The therapeutic relationship — which is the most important factor in successful therapy — develops just as effectively through video sessions. Online therapy offers significant practical advantages including eliminating travel time, providing greater flexibility for busy schedules, and allowing you to access support from the comfort and privacy of your own home. This is particularly beneficial for athletes with demanding training schedules, business executives who travel frequently, or anyone with mobility challenges. Some clients even find it easier to open up when they’re in their own familiar environment. That said, personal preference matters, which is why I offer both online and in-person options so you can choose what feels right for you.
How do I start the process?
The first step is to get in touch, either by calling me on 07860 772023, or sending me a message. This first, informal chat is free and without obligation.
If you decide to proceed, we’ll arrange an initial consultation, which gives us the opportunity to discuss what’s brought you to therapy, explore whether my approach feels right for you, and answer any questions you might have. This first session is also a chance for you to get a sense of how we might work together—it’s important that you feel comfortable and understood.
If we both feel it’s a good fit after the initial consultation, we’ll arrange regular sessions at a time that suits your schedule. There’s no pressure or obligation after the initial consultation—taking the step to reach out is what matters, and we can take things from there at a pace that feels right for you.
How much does therapy cost?
Everybody’s journey through therapy is different, but during our initial conversation we can discuss fees and I can give you an idea of how many sessions you might be likely to need. There is no long term commitment and never any pressure to continue in therapy.