FAQ

To enable me to respond to your initial contact please provide details below:

• Call me on 07787 407 634
• E-mail: info@ontherapy.co.uk

You can find me at:

On Therapy Practice
68 Lombard Street, 

London EC3V 9LJ

Yes. I hold a degree in psychology and have completed a four-year post-graduated Gestalt psychotherapy training. (my qualification page)

• I hold a psychotherapist certification accredited by my training institute and the EAP European Association of Psychotherapy. You can have a look at it under here.
• In the UK my qualifications have been accredited by GPTI Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute.
• I’m also a registered member of UKCP United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy. Check my registration details here.
• I abide by the Code of Ethics of the UKCP. If you want to know more check UKCP website.

• Psychotherapy is not an ordinary conversation. It is a specialised form of help. Support from your family and friends is a very important and natural way of dealing with difficulties. Sometimes, however, it may not be sufficient.
• The therapist has professional knowledge and experience and can see the mechanisms underlying difficulties that impede change.
• The therapist is an impartial and neutral person and has no outside ties through family relations or friendships.
• Friends listen and advise each other. In therapy, the focus is on your difficulties and not on the therapist’s issues. The therapist will share her/his perceptions, thoughts and feelings when they it as beneficial to you.

• The session will last 50minutes.
• We will discuss your concerns, FAQ, needs and expectations.
• We explore whether therapy is what you need.
• We decide if we would like to work together.

The relationship with your therapist is the most important aspect of therapy. If I feel that I am not right therapist for you I will refer you to someone else.

I offer up to three initial consultations and then we will review if you want to continue.

If you make a decision to continue therapy we will make an agreement on the principles of our mutual cooperation. This is called the therapy contract. 

This is an agreement between you on me, in which we both have rights and responsibilities. The usual elements of the contract are:

• the time and place of therapy sessions (usually 50 minutes, once per week at the same time each week)
• duration of therapy
• the frequency of sessions
• fees
• cancellation policy
• contact between sessions
• termination of therapy
• confidentiality
• information of my supervision
• general information about Gestalt method of psychotherapeutic work

Sessions are held once a week at the same time agreed between us. Regularity is very important for productive work. Sometimes we might agree to an additional session if we both agree that it is needed and beneficial.

Yes, sessions are completely confidential.

However, I reserve the right to break it in following circumstances:

• If I believe that you are at risk of harming yourself or others. I would only do it in extreme circumstances and it is always after discussing my concerns with you first.
• From time to time I discuss my work with my clinical supervisor. This is a standard practice for all psychotherapists to help us work as well as we can. My supervisor is bound by the same code of ethics and confidentiality. While discussing my work with the supervisor I never reveal any personal details or information that would your identity.
• If I’m asked by the court of law to give evidence (e.g., in criminal proceedings)

The length of therapy varies from person to person. It depends on your individual needs and problems you want to address.

Some people find that a few sessions help them deal with the specific difficulty that brought them to therapy.

In general, there are two types of therapy:

• Short-term therapy – time-limited, focused on a particular problem type of therapy.

It is usually offered if you are facing a crisis / difficult life situation and are looking for better ways of coping or want to make specific changes in your life.

Usually between 10-12 sessions held once a week, each 50minutes long.

• Long-term therapy- gives an opportunity for in-depth work, gaining more understanding of underlying patterns of your behaviour and working through internal conflicts / unresolved past issues.

Building a trusting and safe relationship with your therapist is the most important aspect of therapy and it needs time.

Usually, long-term therapy takes between 6 months to a couple of years. Sessions are held once a week at the agreed time.

 If you are not able to attend a session please let me know 48 hours in advance. If it is possible we will try to find another convenient time to re-schedule. If not, the fee is payable in full.

If at any point you decide that you might want to end therapy, please let me know. I would encourage you to talk to me about it in the session, rather than by phone or e-mail.

If our work together extends over eight weeks I recommend that we have at least two weeks notice to allow time for a conclusion.

No, psychotherapists are not legible to prescribe medication. If you feel that you need medication it is best to discuss it with a psychiatrist or first your GP.

I offer limited spaces on concession rates for those on a low income. Contact me to discuss availability.

Complaints should be raised with me directly and if you have any I would encourage you to talk to me about it. However, if you still dissatisfied that your complaint has not been addressed you should contact my accredited body – UKCP. To be able to practise as a psychotherapist I have an indemnity insurance.

FAQ