Question 1

Can I speak to you before booking?

Accepted Answer

Of course! I offer a free 15-minute introductory call. This is a chance for you to share a little bit about what you're looking for, get a feel for how I work, and ask any questions you have. It can help us decide whether it feels like the right fit, with absolutely no pressure either way. Contact me to book.

Question 2

I've tried therapy before but it didn't really work for me. Is this different?

Accepted Answer

I hear this a lot, and yes! You may have had therapy that helped you understand yourself better, but never quite helped you actually feel better. It might even have given you a great foundation and some good coping skills, but something still feels like it's missing. That gap between insight and real change is exactly what I work with.

IFS and somatic work reach places that talking alone doesn't always get to. Rather than analysing your patterns from a distance, I can guide you to get to know the parts of you that are involved, and actually feel and transform things at a deeper level.

I often hear from clients that this way of working leads to insight and change that they couldn't have 'figured out' by talking or logic alone.

So if previous therapy felt too surface-level, not quite the right fit, or you're ready for something deeper- this approach tends to feel genuinely different.

Question 3

What is IFS?

Accepted Answer

Internal Family Systtems (IFS) is a gentle but powerful approach to therapy developed by Dr Richard Schwartz. Rather than seeing yourself as one fixed self, IFS recognises that we're all made up of many different "parts".

Parts can be pushed into extreme roles like the inner critic, the perfectionist, the people-pleaser, or the part that shuts down when things get overwhelming. They developed for good reasons- usually to protect you from pain or help you survive difficult experiences. But over time, they can get stuck in old patterns that no longer serve you.

In IFS, we get curious about these parts rather than fighting them. We explore what they've been carrying, what they need, and how they might begin to soften and heal.

For many of the women I work with, IFS is the first approach that has helped them move from understanding their patterns to actually feeling different. It's gentle, it's deep, and it works particularly well for sensitive and neurodivergent people who have spent years analysing themselves without things really shifting.

Want to know more? Take a look at my blog posts on IFS, or feel free to get in touch with any questions.

Question 4

What happens in the first session?

Accepted Answer

When we decide to work together I will send you a therapy agreement and brief registration form to complete. This will contain some more information around what to expect and frees up time we would otherwise spend completing this during your first session!
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Your initial session lasts for 60 minutes and will simply be a chance for us to begin getting to know one another. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you're dealing with and how I can help. You'll never be under any pressure to talk about things you aren't ready to discuss. 
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There's no need to prepare or bring anything, unless you want to of course! Some people find it helpful to have a list of things they want to share, or things they don't want to forget to say or ask, but it isn't necessary to do this if that doesn't feel right or helpful to you.

There's no right way to show up. You can arrive not knowing what to say, or not knowing where to start. We'll find our way together.
 
Building trust can take time and I don't underestimate how daunting it can feel to begin therapy! I'll always do my very best to put you at ease, and I'm sure you'll be surprised at how much better you feel once you've had your first session.

Question 5

What's your availability?

Accepted Answer

I work between the hours of 9am-4pm (UK time) Monday to Thursday both online, and in person in Rugby, Warwickshire.

When I am fully booked I hold a small waiting list, or I can recommend another trusted therapist.

Get in touch to enquire about current availability.

Question 6

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

My fees are £75 per hour for both online and face to face sessions.

I do appreciate that the cost of therapy can be a barrier for some, and so I do offer a limited number of reduced fee appointments for those who need them. Please do contact me if this something you would like to discuss.

Question 7

I'm not sure if I'm highly sensitive or neurodivergent- do I need a diagnosis to work with you?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. I work with women at many different points in that journey- some have a formal diagnosis, some are self-diagnosed (I wholeheartedly support self-diagnosis!) and some are just starting to wonder, or look into whether these labels could fit them.

I also work with people who don't resonate with these labels at all, and that's OK too!

Question 8

I'm worried my problem is too big/small. What can I talk about in sessions?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely anything.

There is nothing too big, too small, or too 'weird'. You might be worried about sharing something that feels taboo, traumatic, or overwhelming. No topic is ever off limits or 'too much'. 
 
On the other hand, you might be worried that your problems aren't 'bad enough' or that they seem small or 'silly'. I hear this a lot, and it's never true. If it's bothering you, it's important to me.

You might arrive with something specific you want to work through, or you might not know where to start, or why you're stuck. It's all equally welcome.

Question 9

How long will I need to be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

This really depends on you and what you want to explore. Some people feel they make meaningful progress in a short number of sessions, while others choose to continue longer term.

I find that committing to regular, weekly sessions supports deeper and more lasting change, and so I do encourage this where possible. I work in an open-ended way, which means there is no fixed number of sessions or set end date. We can regularly reflect on how things are going, to ensure the work feels helpful and plan an ending when the time is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions