FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THERAPY?
Therapy is a safe place you can come to learn more about the challenges you are facing. Therapy can be used to identify patterns of behaviour, thinking or coping which are not working for you. Therapy is also about learning new skills and tools to help you form new, more helpful patterns.
It is worth noting that therapy is a collaborative process. You will be working alongside the your Clinical Psychologist and will be required to put things into practice within your day to day life, in order to see change.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS IN A THERAPY SESSION?
It can be hard to imagine what therapy might be like, which can make it seem a bit daunting! Our therapy sessions are 50 minutes long. You will meet with your Clinical Psychologist in a confidential space. The process of therapy involves three stages; assessment, formulation, treatment.
1) ASSESSMENT. This is where your Clinical Psychologist will gather further information to help them build a picture of your current situation. It will involve them asking you questions and to describe the main issues from you perspective. The assessment phase is usually completed in 1-2 therapy sessions.
2) FORMULATION. A formulation is a shared understanding of the presenting issues. It involves your Clinical Psychologist applying psychological models to your situation to understand the factors which have led to the difficulties as well as the factors which are maintaining them. The formulation is used as the “map” to guide treatment - if we have a clear understanding of your individual situation, we can tailor your treatment to fit you as an individual. Formulation is usually completed in one therapy session.
3) TREATMENT. In the final stage of therapy we ask you to set your personal goals. We then use evidence based psychological therapy to help you move towards these goals. This may involve skills building. We would ask you to practice or apply what we discuss in session, into your every day life. The number of treatment sessions varies person to person. This is something you can discuss further with your Clinical Psychologist.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
We offer 50 minute therapy sessions. We usually advise people to have appointments on a fortnightly basis. We feel this gives enough time between sessions for you to digest what has been discussed and have the opportunity to put any learning, steps or strategies into practice. Some people wish to meet on a weekly basis and we can try to accommodate this if possible.
I FEEL NERVOUS ABOUT COMING TO THERAPY, IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?
This is completely understandable, and very common. Coming to therapy for the first time can be daunting. You are meeting a new person, in a new place, knowing that they are going to ask you to talk about your difficulties.
As Clinical Psychologists it is our job to make your feel safe and secure, knowing that you will be treated with respect and without judgement. We are happy to take therapy at your pace and be guided by you.
Reading the “what actually happens in therapy” FAQ might give you a bit of an idea of what to expect, but if there is anything else that would be helpful to clarify before, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
CAN I BRING SOMEONE WITH ME?
We understand that coming to therapy can be daunting and that bringing someone with you can help you feel more at ease. We are happy for you to bring someone with you to sit with you in the waiting room. However we generally find it more helpful for the therapeutic process if you come into our appointments alone. It allows you and your Clinical Psychologist to build a therapeutic relationship, as well as meaning it is a safe space where you can talk openly without concern about the impact the content may have on the other person.
DO YOU OFFER SLIDING SCALE RATES?
Unfortunately at present we are unable to offer discounted rates.
IS WHAT I TALK ABOUT IN THERAPY CONFIDENTIAL?
Confidentially is at the core of the work that we do. What you talk about in session will be treated as confidential. We will not share information without your consent.
There is however situations where legally we have to share information. These situations are mainly linked to safety. If we think you are at imminent risk of harm, or that someone else is at risk of harm (e.g. a child) then we have a duty to share enough information to keep people safe.
Before starting a piece of work with us, you will be given a copy of our privacy policy which will outline fully how confidentiality works as well as how we use and store data.
WHAT IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST?
A Clinical Psychologist is a psychological therapist who has completed both an undergraduate degree in psychology as well as a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. In order to practice a Clinical Psychologist must be registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and adhere to their guidance around ethics, professional safe practice and continuous professional development. “Clinical Psychologist” is a protected title and can be only used by those who meet the academic criteria, receive regular clinical supervision and are maintaining the criteria for registration.
Clinical Psychologists are highly trained in a number of different psychological approaches and are able to integrate these methods to deliver individually tailored therapy to meet a clients needs.
DO YOU ACCEPT HEALTH INSURANCE?
We are registered with Bupa, Cigna and WPA health insurance and can work with you through your insurance plan. Please contact your insurer prior to confirm they are happy to authorise the sessions.
WHERE DO YOU RUN YOUR CLINIC FROM?
We run a clinic in the Roseburn area of Edinburgh, EH12