What can I expect from my first face to face session?

 

The aim of this session will be to give you the opportunity to explain in your own words your current concerns and difficulties and any areas you would like to address. We will collaboratively develop a plan for any future therapeutic intervention. During this session, you will be asked about your current problems, as well as past difficulties,  developmental and background history and any previous therapeutic interventions undertaken. We will also start to explore any goals for therapy and hopes for the future. At the end of this session feedback, which will include an initial understanding of your presenting difficulties and consideration of treatment options felt most suited to your needs, will be provided. You may then decide to embark on further input immediately and book further sessions or you can take time to consider and explore your options.

 

Where can I be seen?

 

I work from a number of clinic rooms located in Southsea and Portsmouth. The most suitable and convenient location for you would be discussed during our initial telephone / email consultation.

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When can I be seen?

 

I am usually able to see people in the daytime, although some evenings and weekends can be arranged. This can be discussed at the initial consultation.

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How many sessions and how often?

 

The number of therapy sessions provided will depend on your presenting difficulties and will be discussed as part of your agreed treatment plan. On average, a client will be seen for approximately 8-12 sessions, however this would depend on a number of other factors such as how long the problem has been experienced and other life demands that may be occurring alongside.  This will be reviewed, in consultation with you, throughout the course of therapy. 

 

What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?

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Sometimes you may be unable to attend your appointment for a particular reason. If you cancel more than 24hours prior to your session, no fees will be incurred. However if sessions are cancelled within 24hours, the session will be charged at the full rate. 

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Will my sessions be confidential?

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What is discussed within the assessment and therapy sessions is strictly confidential. This means that I will not share any information with others without your agreement. However, there are some limits to this confidentiality. In rare, exceptional circumstances, if I am concerned about your risk to yourself or to others, or if there is sufficient evidence to raise concern of the health, welfare or safety of children or vulnerable adults, it is my professional duty to share this information.  In these circumstances, I will initially encourage you to contact the appropriate source of support/help (e.g. GP, Community Mental Health Team, Police, and Social Services). However, if I feel that you are unable to do so I would make this contact myself but would discuss this with you first before passing any information on to others and explain why I am taking this course of action.  This is standard protocol for all psychologists and health professionals. As part of my commitment to good practice, and in keeping with my professional duties as outlined by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC: registration number PYL25833), I receive regular clinical supervision. The duty of confidentiality extends to my supervisor who is also a qualified and accredited Clinical Psychologist. Names of clients or any other identifiers are not provided to the supervisor.

 

How do I know you are suitably qualified?

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From 1 July 2009 regulation of certain groups of practising psychologists was taken over by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), a regulator of health professionals, set up to protect the public. The HCPC keeps a register of health professionals who meet set standards for their training, professional skills, behaviour and health. My professional registration as a Clinical Psychologist (no: PYL25833) can be checked on the register at www.hcpc-uk-org.

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How will my privacy and information be managed?

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I comply with the requirements set out by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR, 2018). Whether you refer yourself to my service, or are referred by another, I will need to hold some information about you in order to process the referral. This is likely to include personal demographic information, such as your name and contact details, as well as some information about the difficulties that you have been referred for. You will not be contacted for any other purpose and your information will not be passed on to any third parties without your written permission.

 

I follow GDPR guidance in storing and processing clients’ information. This means that any referral information about you will be stored securely along with any other information that you give me about yourself in the process of our working together. I am the only person that will have access to this information. All information held about you, along with any notes made during our sessions together, will be stored securely in a locked cabinet for the required period of time.All electronic data is securely locked on a password protected computer only accessible to me. If you wish for me to release data to other third-party professionals, a written consent is needed from you and proof of destination of notes. Email copies are not provided for the above. You are able to request access to your information by putting your request in writing to me at any point during the time that your notes are stored. 

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