What happens at the First Meeting?

5^th September 2010

Initial Consultation

I generally suggest meeting up for an Initial Consultation before you make a decision on whether or not you wish to commit to anything more on going with me. This is very much a two way process aimed at discovering if our working together would be the right thing for you at this point in time.

During our first meeting we will have a full discussion of what has brought you to see me and discuss any concerns you may have about the process of psychotherapy. During this time we will be getting to know one another better and you will get an idea of what it is like to be in a therapeutic relationship with me.

An Initial Consultation lasts for 50 minutes and is arranged on an individual basis. A fee will be payable if we do decide to go ahead and work together, otherwise there will be no charge.

I believe very strongly that it is important to enable people to find both the right type of therapy and the right therapist for them as individuals. I am not arrogant enough to believe that this will always be me or the way that I work. I am always happy to discuss with people the various other types of professional help that are available locally and to suggest organisations or individuals that they might contact.
Open-ended Psychotherapy Sessions

If we do decide to go ahead and work together ourselves, we would then need to think about whether you would like to meet for a fixed number of sessions, or in a more open-ended way.

My approach is generally aimed at those seeking a more on-going therapeutic relationship in which they can undertake a more in-depth exploration of their problems; maybe you’ve already tried some Short-Term Counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and found that although this may have been helpful, it has not got to the root of the problem.

As our psychotherapy sessions progress over time I will invite you to talk to me about all aspects of yourself - your past experiences, current relationships, patterns of behaviour, thoughts, feelings, values and beliefs. Understanding the kind of relationship that develops between us can also become an important part of the therapy.

These sessions last for 50 minutes and can be arranged on either a once or twice weekly basis. My usual fee is £40 per session and an invoice will be given at then end of each month. Once an arrangement has been made between us, missed sessions are generally charged for.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy may last anywhere from a few months up to several years or more, depending on your individual needs. Many clients I work with who are experiencing long-standing or deep-rooted difficulties value the on-going support that a more open-ended approach can offer.

	North Oxford Psychotherapy

North Oxford Psychotherapy