Initial Session
An initial session can take place either in person or online. We can decide together beforehand which would be most suitable. Sessions last 50 minutes.
The first session gives you an opportunity to talk about what has brought you to psychotherapy and to get some sense of what it might be like to work with me. It also allows us to consider whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy may be helpful for you.
During the initial consultation, we can think about:
- What has brought you to therapy and something of its history and context.
- Whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy seems an appropriate way of working with your difficulties.
- The practical framework of the therapy, including my terms and conditions.
- Frequency of sessions, possible length of treatment and fees.
Sometimes I suggest beginning with four or six sessions, after which we can review the work together and consider whether it would be useful to continue.
Fees and Cancellations
I invoice at the end of each month. Missed or cancelled sessions are normally charged, although there may be circumstances in which I exercise discretion.
The Therapeutic Setting
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy depends upon having a regular and protected space in which attention can be given as fully as possible to what emerges in the session. I therefore ask that phones and other distractions are put aside during both in-person and online sessions.
Sessions may also begin somewhat differently from ordinary social encounters. Rather than feeling that we need to begin with conventional conversation, there is room for you to start with whatever is in your mind. This freedom is an important part of psychoanalytic work.