Hilary Dawson MSc, UKCP, MBACP (Sen.Accred)

What happens in Therapy?

Counselling

Counselling can help you with specific issues like those listed below. We can agree to meet for a limited time of 12 sessions or to work in an open-ended contract in which a mutually agreed ending would be planned.

• Depression
• Stress
• Bereavement
• Loneliness
• Relationships
• Loss
• Anger
• Obsessions
• Anxiety

Occasionally some other service may a better choice. In this case I will try to help you find another professional person or service.

If we decide to work together, we will agree a suitable time and day for weekly sessions. These last for 50 minutes.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a talking treatment not necessarily about a particular issue, although it can be, that goes deeper into who you are and seeks to understand and make meaning of your life and what has brought you to therapy. It can bring insight to deep-rooted distress and problems, helping to alleviate suffering and enabling you to make healthier life choices.

This would be open-ended work at 1, 2, or 3 times a week. You might start at once a week and increase to 2 or 3 times for a period.

Initially we need to arrange a first appointment at a mutually convenient time. This lasts 50 minutes. This meeting gives you the opportunity to tell me about yourself and see if you will feel comfortable working with me. It gives me the opportunity to assess whether I think I can help you. We may take 2 sessions to do this if needed. Together we will decide whether to go ahead, and whether counselling or psychotherapy is the more appropriate option.

If we decided to go ahead, then as for counselling, sessions would be at the same time and day each week.