Individual therapy

Individual Psychological Therapy

Therapy chosen with you, not simply for you

People begin therapy for many reasons. You may be dealing with a particular difficulty, carrying the effects of earlier experiences or feeling stuck in patterns that have become hard to change.

You might already know what you want to work on, or you may only know that life does not feel as manageable or meaningful as you would like.

Therapy begins by understanding what you are experiencing, how it affects your life and what you hope will change. We then consider which approach, or combination of approaches, is most likely to suit your needs.

You do not need to select a type of therapy before making an enquiry.

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Individual psychological therapy conversation

What therapy may help with

We provide individual psychological therapy for adults experiencing difficulties including:

  • Trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD
  • Distressing memories and triggers
  • Anxiety, worry, panic and avoidance
  • Depression and low mood
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Shame and self-criticism
  • Low self-esteem
  • Relationship and attachment difficulties
  • Stress and burnout
  • Difficult life transitions
  • Longstanding emotional patterns
  • Behaviours or coping strategies that have become difficult to manage
  • Neurodivergence-related emotional or psychological needs

This list is not exhaustive. An initial conversation can help us understand what you are looking for and whether our service is likely to be suitable.

Developing a shared understanding

Before choosing a therapy, we take time to understand the wider picture.

Together, we may consider what has contributed to your difficulties, what might be keeping them going and which strengths or resources could support change.

This shared understanding is sometimes called a formulation. It is not a label or a judgement. It is a way of joining the dots between your experiences so that therapy has a clear and individual focus.

One therapy may provide the main structure for your sessions. At other times, carefully selected elements from different approaches may be brought together.

Any approach will be discussed with you in clear language before the work begins.

Therapy approaches

Processing distressing memories

EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.

It is commonly used for trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD. It may also help with distressing memories connected to abuse, loss, accidents, frightening events or difficult relationships.

During EMDR, you briefly focus on aspects of a memory while following an alternating movement, sound or tapping exercise. This supports the brain in processing memories that may still feel immediate or as though they are happening in the present.

EMDR does not rely only on talking, and you may not need to describe every detail aloud.

You remain awake, aware and in control throughout. You are not being hypnotised, and the memory is not erased. The aim is for it to become less vivid, intense and overwhelming.

Preparation and safety are important parts of EMDR. Trauma processing will not begin until we have considered what you need to feel sufficiently supported and grounded.

Video coming soon

Understanding EMDR

A concise clinician-led explanation will be added after filming.

Understanding longstanding emotional patterns

Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy is a talking and experiential therapy that explores deep-rooted emotional patterns and unmet needs.

These patterns often develop through earlier experiences and may influence how you see yourself, relate to other people or respond when you feel rejected, criticised, unsafe or overwhelmed.

Schema Therapy may be helpful for:

  • Complex trauma
  • Longstanding emotional distress
  • Repeating relationship difficulties
  • Shame and self-criticism
  • Low self-worth
  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Identity difficulties
  • Patterns associated with complex emotional needs or personality difficulties

Together, we identify patterns that continue to affect your life, explore how they may have developed and consider what you need now.

Sessions may involve conversation, imagery, reflective exercises and practising different ways of responding. The aim is to strengthen healthier patterns and help you relate to yourself and others with greater understanding and compassion.

Video coming soon

Understanding Schema Therapy

A concise clinician-led explanation will be added after filming.

Changing your relationship with difficult experiences

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, usually called ACT, is a talking and experiential therapy.

It can support people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, low self-esteem, chronic health difficulties and a sense of being disconnected from the life they want.

Trauma-Focused ACT adapts this approach for people affected by trauma, PTSD or complex PTSD. It may help with painful memories, shame, emotional avoidance and feeling controlled by difficult internal experiences.

ACT does not ask you to approve of painful experiences or simply tolerate everything. Instead, it helps you notice thoughts and feelings without automatically becoming caught up in them or allowing them to dictate your choices.

Sessions may include conversation, mindfulness, practical exercises and reflection on your personal values. We then identify realistic actions that move you towards what matters, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present.

Video coming soon

Understanding ACT and Trauma-Focused ACT

A concise clinician-led explanation will be added after filming.

Building practical ways to respond differently

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, usually called CBT, is a structured and practical talking therapy.

It explores the connections between your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and actions. Together, we identify patterns that may be maintaining a difficulty and experiment with different ways of responding.

  • CBT may be helpful for:
  • Anxiety and persistent worry
  • Depression and low mood
  • Panic
  • Phobias and avoidance
  • Obsessive-compulsive difficulties
  • Low self-esteem
  • Stress
  • Trauma and PTSD when a trauma-focused form of CBT is used

Sessions may include practical exercises, coping strategies and trying new approaches between appointments.

CBT is not about being told to “think positively.” It is about developing a more balanced understanding of your experiences and building skills that you can use in everyday life.

Video coming soon

Understanding CBT

A concise clinician-led explanation will be added after filming.

How are the approaches different?

Each approach has a different emphasis:

EMDR

EMDR primarily supports the processing of distressing memories that continue to feel immediate or overwhelming.

Schema Therapy

Schema Therapy explores longstanding emotional and relationship patterns, often connecting present experiences with earlier unmet needs.

ACT

ACT helps you respond more flexibly to difficult thoughts and feelings while moving towards your values.

CBT

CBT examines current links between thoughts, emotions, physical responses and actions and develops practical ways to change unhelpful cycles.

These approaches can overlap, but they are not interchangeable.

The most appropriate option depends on what you are experiencing, what you want from therapy, your preferences and how ready or safe particular kinds of work feel.

Trauma-informed and affirmative care

Trauma-informed and affirmative care is not a separate therapy. It describes how we approach all our work.

In practice, this means:

  • Explaining what to expect
  • Agreeing on goals and boundaries together
  • Working at a manageable pace
  • Checking in regularly
  • Offering breaks
  • Avoiding pressure to disclose more than feels safe
  • Recognising how past experiences may shape present responses
  • Respecting your identity, culture, sexuality and neurodivergence
  • Building on the strengths and coping strategies you already have

Therapy may sometimes feel challenging, but you will not be expected to approach difficult experiences without preparation and support.

Neuroaffirmative therapy in practice

Neuroaffirmative practice recognises that people think, communicate, process information and experience the world differently.

Autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence are not automatically treated as problems that need to be fixed.

You will not be expected to make eye contact, sit still or communicate in one particular way. Movement and stimming are welcome.

Depending on your preferences, we can:

  • Provide written information
  • Use clear and direct language
  • Allow more processing time
  • Build in breaks
  • Make sessions more structured or predictable
  • Discuss sensory needs
  • Adjust the pace of therapy
  • Review how online or face-to-face sessions work for you

Adaptations are individual. We will ask what helps rather than assume that the same approach suits everyone.

What therapy involves

01

Starting therapy

Initial sessions focus on understanding what has brought you to therapy, what you would like to change and what may help the work feel safe and useful.

We will discuss the available approaches and agree on an initial plan with you.

02

Setting goals

Therapy works best when it has a purpose that feels meaningful to you.

Your goals may be specific, such as reducing panic or processing a traumatic memory. They may also be broader, such as understanding your emotional responses, improving relationships or building a life that feels more manageable.

Goals can change as therapy develops, and we will review them together.

03

Working together

Sessions may involve talking, processing memories, practising skills, completing experiential exercises or trying new approaches between appointments.

What happens will depend on the therapy being used and what you need at that point.

04

Reviewing progress

We will regularly consider what is helping, what feels difficult and whether the approach still fits your needs.

If something is not working, we can discuss whether to adapt the focus, change the pace or consider a different approach.

05

Ending therapy

There is no fixed number of sessions that suits everyone.

We do not want therapy to continue indefinitely or without a clear purpose. Our aim is to help you build understanding, confidence and practical tools that you can continue using independently, sometimes described as learning to become your own therapist.

We will work at your pace while also offering gentle encouragement when fear or avoidance may be keeping you stuck. You will never be forced, but you may be appropriately challenged when this could support meaningful progress.

Ending will be discussed rather than arriving unexpectedly. We will review what has changed, identify what you want to carry forward and consider how you can continue supporting yourself.

Appointments

Session length

50 minutes

Appointment frequency will be discussed individually. Weekly sessions may be helpful for some types of therapy, while a different arrangement may suit other work.

Appointment format

Online appointments are our primary way of providing therapy.

If face-to-face sessions are needed or preferred, we can discuss availability and any associated costs before you book.

Fees and payment

Your session fee will be confirmed before booking.

An invoice will be sent to you by email, and payment must be made by bank transfer at least 48 hours before the appointment.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Answers about choosing an approach, therapy length, online appointments and private healthcare.

No. You can tell us what you are experiencing and what you would like help with.

We will explain the relevant approaches and consider the available options with you.

The decision is based on your individual experiences, goals, preferences and the shared understanding developed with your clinician.

We also consider the evidence for different approaches, your previous experiences of therapy and whether you feel ready for a particular type of work.

You will be involved in the decision, and the approach can be reviewed if it no longer feels suitable.

Yes, where this is clinically appropriate.

One approach may provide the main structure, while selected elements from another may help address a particular need. Any integration should be thoughtful and based on a clear rationale rather than switching between methods without purpose.

Your clinician will explain how they propose to work and why.

Talking therapies use conversation to explore your thoughts, emotions, experiences, relationships or patterns of behaviour.

Processing therapies, such as EMDR, work more directly with distressing memories and the emotional or physical responses connected to them.

The distinction is not absolute. Schema Therapy, ACT and CBT may include experiential or trauma-focused work, while EMDR also involves conversation, preparation and reflection.

No. You remain in control of what you share.

Some approaches involve discussing or processing traumatic experiences more directly. Others focus on current patterns, coping or your relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings.

We will use clinical judgement alongside your preferences and sense of safety when deciding how to approach the work.

There is no standard number of sessions.

The length of therapy depends on your experiences, goals, the approach being used and how the work develops. Some people benefit from focused short-term work, while complex or longstanding difficulties may need more time.

We will review progress regularly and speak openly about the expected duration and when therapy may be ready to end.

Therapy can bring up emotions or experiences that feel challenging.

You can ask to pause, take a break or tell us when something feels overwhelming. We will consider whether to slow the pace, strengthen support or approach the work differently.

Feeling challenged does not mean therapy is going wrong, but you should feel supported and involved throughout.

Please tell us. Honest feedback is an important part of therapy.

We can review your goals, consider what may be getting in the way and discuss whether the pace, focus or approach should change.

If another professional or service appears more suitable, we will discuss this with you and offer guidance or signposting where possible.

Yes, where therapy is recommended and is something you would like to pursue.

An assessment can help clarify the focus of therapy, useful adaptations and which approach may be appropriate.

There is no obligation to begin therapy following an assessment or to receive therapy from the same clinic.

Research generally indicates that live video therapy can produce outcomes comparable to face-to-face therapy for a range of psychological difficulties.

However, suitability depends on the individual, the therapy being offered, privacy, technology, safety and personal preference. Evidence is also stronger for some online therapy approaches than for others.

We will consider whether online work is appropriate and discuss alternatives where needed.

Yes. Different providers have different requirements and may ask for a referral or prior authorisation.

Send us an enquiry with the name of your provider, and we will explain any steps you may need to take. You should also confirm your cover, excess and number of authorised sessions directly with your insurer.

If you are running late, please let us know as soon as possible. Your session will normally still finish at the agreed time.

Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange. Late cancellations and missed appointments may be charged at the full session fee.

Unexpected situations will be considered individually and with compassion.

Read our cancellation and payment policy.

Choosing therapy

Unsure which approach may suit you?

You do not need to arrive with a therapy already chosen.

Tell us what you would like help with, and we will consider whether our service is suitable and which starting point may be most useful.

Your enquiry will be treated confidentially, and there is no obligation to book.

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