Reaching out to a counsellor or psychotherapist for the first time can feel daunting but is the first step in the process. Once you have contacted me, I will suggest an initial, free, 30 minute phone call so we can discover if we feel we can work together. I will find out a little about why you want to see a therapist and what has ignited your desire to seek counselling at this point in your life. Our chat will also give you the chance to discover more about what I offer and to see if there is a rapport between us and if you feel I might be able to help you work through your issues and concerns. If not, then there is no obligation to continue.

The next step would be for us to meet for an initial assessment. This is about finding out factual information about your background and what has brought you to therapy. In the early sessions it may also be appropriate to talk about goals for the therapy and to formulate a plan of how to proceed. This is particularly important when therapy is time-limited, when one has to be realistic about what can be achieved in the number of sessions available so that the work can be focused appropriately. If we both feel we can work together we can negotiate how and when to do this and will agree a certain number of sessions.

A session is 50 minutes long, and takes place at the same time and on the same day and location, every week. If you arrive late for a session, unfortunately the time cannot be extended. I will commit to hold this time for you when I am available which is usually at least 42 weeks per year, unless unforeseen circumstances arise. Regular attendance is required for a successful outcome. Where clinically indicated, it is possible to have more than one session a week, either temporarily or on a regular basis.

Sessions can be arranged on a short-term, time-limited basis, if appropriate, to address a specific issue. Alternatively, a longer-term, open-ended approach for deeper work, can be arranged.

That depends on the issues you’re looking to work on. I work on an open-ended basis, so we can decide together how long you will need.

When a fixed number of sessions has been agreed, this is known in advance, and the work is carefully focused to achieve the best outcomes in the time available. Short-term work could be anything from just a couple of sessions to six, twelve, sixteen or more sessions. Six months would still be considered short-term. In open-ended psychotherapy, however, how long the work may last depends on many things and is an almost impossible question to answer. Therapy is a process, a journey if you will, that happens in its own way and in its own time. It is rarely linear but often spirals around, revisiting different aspects of our life, but each time with greater insight and forward movement.

When the therapist and/or the client feels the work is drawing to an end, this is discussed in sessions and an ending date agreed so it can be worked towards in an orderly way. Planning the ending of therapy is important because it is not only the work that is ending but also the therapeutic relationship. Although the client may continue their journey long after therapy finishes, the journey that’s been shared also is also drawing to a close.

Counselling generally tends to be solution-focused, working on coping strategies for a particular issue on a short-term basis. Psychotherapy tends to be open-ended, and works on a deeper understanding of yourself and how issues from the past are affecting your life in the present. It can also help you uncover deeper meaning in your life.

For individuals the fee is £120 per 50-minute session.

I hold clinics in:

Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

Manchester Square, London W1 - within easy reach of Oxford Circus and Bond Street tube stations.

Full fees are charged for all arranged sessions, including cancellations. I will always endeavour to reschedule by offering an alternative session the same week of the cancelled session.

Please feel free to email cat@catcallender.com or call Cat Callender on 07968 065530, or drop me a note via the Contact form.