Frequently Asked Questions

Finding the right therapist is a really important — if not the most important — part of the process. Research consistently shows the relationship between therapist and client is one of the key factors in effective therapy. Our initial 15-minute call is an opportunity for you to get a sense of how I work and whether you feel comfortable speaking with me. You're welcome to ask questions, share as much or as little as you like, and notice how it feels to be heard and understood.

It's ok to be unsure at first, and for some people this sense of fit develops over a few sessions. If at any point you feel I'm not the right fit, there's no obligation to continue, and I can support you in finding an alternative therapist if needed. The priority is that you receive the right support, whether that's with me or someone else.

The terms are often used interchangeably, and there's a lot of overlap, but they differ in approach.

Counselling tends to be client-led and unstructured — talking about what you're feeling in the moment, often over a longer period. It focuses on giving you space to explore your thoughts and feelings and build self-awareness.

CBT and EMDR, the approaches I use, are structured, evidence-based therapies with a clear framework guiding the work, rather than open-ended conversation. They're typically shorter-term and produce noticeable shifts relatively quickly, while still being robust enough to address complex or long-standing difficulties as well as specific issues. Rather than just talking things through, you leave the sessions with practical tools and techniques – skills you keep using and adapting long after therapy ends.

In practice, what matters most is finding an approach and a practitioner that feels right for what you're going through. That's exactly what the free consultation is for – a chance to talk through what you're facing and see whether CBT or EMDR is the right fit.

I offer one-to-one CBT and EMDR therapy for a wide range of common mental health difficulties, including (but not limited to):

• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Generalised anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Panic disorder
• Agoraphobia & specific phobias (such as spiders, heights, or vomit)
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder)
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) & Complex PTSD
• Social anxiety
• Perfectionism
• Anger
• Imposter syndrome
• Assertiveness
• Burnout
• Disordered eating

I also specialise in mental health difficulties linked to long term health conditions and medically unexplained symptoms, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I provide clinical supervision to trainee and qualified therapists.

We start with a free 15-minute introductory call to see if we're the right fit for one another. If you'd like to go ahead, we'd then have a period of assessment (usually 1–2 sessions) to build a deeper understanding of how you're feeling before moving into the treatment phase of therapy. Once your assessment session is booked, I'll send you a client agreement setting out how we'll work together, including fees, cancellations, confidentiality, and how to raise a complaint if you ever need to.

I review progress regularly with you — usually every 3 sessions — to make sure we're staying focused on your goals and continuing to work towards them. As we near the end of therapy, we'll do some relapse management work together, to help you sustain and build on what we've achieved.

CBT sessions are generally 60–90 minutes. EMDR sessions are generally 90 minutes, to allow enough time for reprocessing work, in line with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. Exact session length is agreed between us and can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Sessions are usually once a week. Once you secure a regular slot, that day and time is protected for you for the duration of your therapy.

Sessions are charged at £110 per hour, pro rata for longer sessions — for example, a 90-minute session is £165. Appointments are provisionally held at the time of booking until payment has been received. Payment is required 48 hours before a session can be confirmed, and can be made by bank transfer.

To arrange a session, get in touch via the contact form and I'll reply to arrange a time by email, starting with your free 15-minute consultation. Get in touch for my current availability.

All sessions are currently delivered via secure video call. This offers flexibility and removes the need for travel, parking, or time spent in waiting rooms — you can access CBT or EMDR from the comfort of your own home, or any private space that feels right for you. Research also shows that online CBT and EMDR can be just as effective as in-person sessions.

I currently work with clients based in the UK only.

I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice will be charged at the full session fee.

Yes — therapy is generally confidential, and being able to trust your therapist is an important part of the process. What you share in sessions is not normally passed on to anyone else.

There are some important exceptions to confidentiality, mainly where safeguarding is concerned. If there is a serious concern that you're at risk of harming yourself or someone else — and this can't be managed within our sessions together — I have a duty of care to share relevant information with other professionals. This is never done lightly, and I only ever share what's necessary. Wherever possible, this would be discussed with you first, so you understand what's being shared, why it's needed, and who it will be shared with.

I'm a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies, membership 171091) and a registered EMDR Therapist (EMDR Association UK). I have over 15 years' experience in adult mental health, including more than a decade within the NHS — spanning older adult community mental health, a specialist eating disorders inpatient unit, and, more recently, working with adults presenting with common mental health difficulties.

I specialise in trauma work, as well as treating mental health difficulties connected to long term health conditions and medically unexplained symptoms. I like to work collaboratively, drawing on CBT and EMDR alongside elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy where helpful. I hold professional indemnity insurance.

I'm a co-author of peer-reviewed research published in Research and Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences & the Law. You can read the full citations on the About page.

Keep Talking Therapy is not a crisis service and cannot provide rapid-response safety support. If you need help managing your safety, please call NHS 111 for non-urgent mental health support, or call 999 or go to A&E if you have significant concerns about your immediate safety.

Other support is available through Samaritans (116 123 — free, 24/7 listening service) or SHOUT (text 85258 — free, 24/7 text support).