How I work

Therapy works best when there’s clarity and consistency. Below you’ll find some practical information about how I work — including session structure, fees, confidentiality, and how we’ll stay in touch. If you have any questions, we can talk them through together.

Sessions

Therapy sessions last for 50 minutes and usually take place at the same time and on the same day each week. This steady rhythm helps create a reliable space where our work together can unfold.

We’ll agree on an ending date in advance so that therapy doesn’t come to a sudden or unfinished close. Typically, we’ll work with at least a month’s notice on either side. If we’ve been working together for a long time, a longer notice period may feel more appropriate. We’ll talk about that together when the time comes.

Sessions can take place either in person, at my private practice in Croydon, or online via Zoom. Even if you usually come in person, there may be times when meeting online is the more caring choice, for example if one of us is feeling unwell. If that’s the case, we’ll stay in touch and decide what’s best for that day.

Your session time is set aside just for you. If something comes up and you can’t make your usual time, I’ll do my best to offer an alternative, but this may not always be possible.

Please arrive on time. If you’re late, we’ll still need to finish at the usual time.

Fees & Payment

Therapy is a financial commitment as well as an emotional one. I’ll invoice you by email at the end of each month for the sessions you’ve attended. Payment can be made by bank transfer within seven days, or in cash if that’s your preference.

Fees are reviewed from time to time. If they are going to change, we’ll discuss this in advance.

Missed Sessions

If you cancel or miss a session, whether with notice or not, the full fee is still payable. This is because the time has been set aside specifically for you.

If I need to cancel a session for any reason, you will not be charged. I’ll let you know about any planned breaks or holidays in advance.

Contact Between Sessions

You’re welcome to get in touch between sessions if you need to cancel or rearrange. This can be by phone, email or WhatsApp — just let me know which suits you best.

Therapy itself takes place in the sessions. If you send an email outside of that, I’ll acknowledge it but we’ll wait until your next session to talk it through.

Confidentiality

What we talk about in therapy is private. I take that trust seriously and will only break confidentiality in rare and exceptional circumstances, such as when there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or if required by law. If I ever need to act outside of confidentiality, I’ll always aim to speak with you about it first.

As part of good practice, I speak from time to time with a trusted colleague for professional consultation. Your privacy is respected throughout. First names are used only, and any details are shared with care.

I also use a secure service called ClinicalWill.app. This ensures that, if I were to become seriously unwell or unable to contact you, a trusted colleague could get in touch to let you know and help you access further support if needed.

To support this, I’ll ask for the name and contact details of someone you trust — ideally someone who knows you are in therapy. I would only contact them if I were concerned about your wellbeing and unable to reach you directly.

Professional Standards

I’m a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work in line with their ethical guidelines. You can read more about these, including how to raise any concerns, at bacp.co.uk.