Your frequently asked questions
It's common to have lots of questions before you start counselling.
Below are some of the most common questions I get asked. If you don't see your question answered, please get in touch here.
What is a psychotherapist?
Psychotherapists are trained to help people with emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.
Why do I need a therapist?
People need therapists for many reasons. Some people need therapy because they have been through traumatic experiences, like abuse or neglect.
Other people need therapy because they suffer with depression or anxiety. People who have had a difficult childhood often benefit from therapy.
Some people need therapy to help them sleep, to put a stop to overthinking or to help them deal more effectively with life's stresses.
How can a therapist help me?
As your therapist I carefully listen with empathy to your thoughts, feelings, and memories in a very safe and confidential environment. I help you deal with your emotions and problems. I help you to change the way you respond to life's difficulties by helping you to see issues more clearly and respond more calmly and thoughtfully.
I can help you to break free from depression and persistant low moods, to find the joy in life and feel motivated and inspired again.
I can help you put a stop to overthinking and procrastinating and going round and round in circles, or the opposite, of being too reactionary with tears or anger in response to life's stresses.
I can help you to tame your nervous system, stop panic attacks in their tracks and quell ongoing relentless anxiety, so that you can feel in control of your emotions, more relaxed, happy and at ease and be able to just get on with life.
I can help you realise your true self worth, increase your self esteem, confidence and self belief so that you can more easily overcome problems, set higher goals and achieve more success and happiness.
I can help you see which areas of your life you might be somewhat over focused on and help you to achieve a more ideal life balance which can leave you feeling happier, calmer, more relaxed and more inspired so that you can gain greater success in your work, enjoy better relationships and achieve more of your life goals.
How long does therapy last?
Therapy is different for everyone. It depends on the type of therapy needed and the goals that you wish to achieve. For example Panic Attacks can be greatly reduced and even prevented in as little as 2 - 3 sessions but overcoming the underlying anxiety will take a little longer.
Unlike some using only talk therapy, I provide you with a tailor made blend of science backed therapies to achieve the best person centred approach. I am very much solution focused and use the most up to date strategies and techniques to quickly get to the root cause of issues and achieve the best of lasting outcomes in a relatively short space of time.
I can clarify my expectations for the estimated length of time and number of sessions required at the end of our free discovery chat but this will also depend on your readiness and willingness to practice the techniques that I will be sharing and supporting you with.
Before we begin, roughly half way through, and again at the end of your transformation, I will get you to complete a psychological self assessment. This helps me to ensure that I am providing you with the most useful and purposeful assistance and that you are truly progressing where you need to be and have, at the end, achieved all of your desired outcomes.
What should I expect when I go to a first appointment?
I am here to make you feel comfortable. I will ask you questions about your present and your past and what you think is causing your problem. If you have taken advantage of the free discovery call (which I strongly advise) then I will also carry out a baseline assessment which will help clarify some of the issues you are struggling with and instruct our next steps.
What should I expect after my first appointment?
After your first appointment, you should be able to answer some questions about your life, your problems, and your feelings. You should also know what to expect in your next appointment.
What happens during a therapy session?
A session usually starts with me asking you questions to help you understand your problems. I will listen carefully to your answers and provide you with actionable steps to progress your transformation.
I will often teach and demonstrate useful strategies and techniques for you to practice during and between sessions which will help you to remain more calm, help with self reflection and effectively 're-wire' your brain and body to operate in much more helpful and supportive manner.
How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
The best way to know if I am the right therapist for you is to talk to me. I will be able to answer any questions you have during a free 30 minute discovery call. This can be carried out over Zoom or over the telephone if you are in the UK.
I usually refrain from our initial discovery call being in person in my therapy room because I don't want you to feel obliged to go ahead if you feel at all unsure.
I have to make you aware that I am not a psychiatrist, I cannot prescribe medication or treat complex psychological disorders. Please refer to my services to see what I can help you with.
How often should I see a therapist?
It depends on what type of therapy you need. Some people see a therapist once a week, others fortnightly.
As you are nearing the end of treatment, I like to extend our time between sessions so that you can feel more confident whilst flying solo, safe in the knowledge that I still have you on my books and therefore can slot you in quickly should an issue arise. It also allows us to see that the strategies and techniques are still working several months later in our final check-in and assessment.
What if I can't afford a therapist?
If you can't afford one to one therapy, (and believe me, I've been there too which is why I keep my prices low) there are many free resources in my free Facebook group.
You can also sign up for my group workshops, which whilst they don't provide personal therapy they do teach you some of the strategies and techniques that I use in my one to one therapy. This should mean that you will need less one to one sessions to personalise the therapies taught.
I am also in the process of creating online do-it-yourself courses where I will also offer a small number of discounted personal sessions whilst you are taking the course to help you personalize the learning.
What do I do if the therapy doesn't seem to be helping?
Therapy takes time, however I keep our progress constantly under review, please believe me when I say I won't be happy if I can't see progress being made either. I will ask you to carry out a baseline assessment within the first couple of sessions, usually the first if we have had our free discovery call already and again several weeks later to ensure progress is being made.
However, occasionally it can be better to refer you on to someone more suitable to your needs or for you to find someone you feel more comfortable with. All I ask is that you are completely open and honest with me. if you don't like a particular technique please say as I have many other options available and I will never be offended.
My prime focus is for you to achieve the outcome you desire and if that means you working with someone else then I am still happy that you will be getting the help you need even if it isn't from me.
Whereabouts is Brighter Therapy and Coaching based?
I am happy to have remote clients, however if you wish to see me in person, I am based in Comrie, Perthshire. This means I am easily accessible from Crieff, Dunblane, Locherhead and even Perth.
I help you to help yourself...
In-person
Focused one to one sessions which make you the centre of attention. It's all about you and I'm here to make you feel as comfortable as possible...
Phone or video call
Prefer not to meet in person or too far to travel?
Schedule a one to one call with me either on the phone or Zoom video call and I'll take you through the process as if you were in the room.
Virtual group
Join in with other like-minded souls on the same journey of transformation who are as hungry as you to start living their best lives...
Join my Facebook community
My mental health and wellbeing Facebook group is to encourage a balanced happy inspired life, building on the principles of a positive mindset, healthy habits, goal setting, gratitude, fun, maintaining healthy relationships and a focus on self care.
Courses and workshops - coming soon!
Coming soon in 2023 - my bespoke courses on topics including stress-busting, anxiety and how to reduce panic attacks.
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