Is therapy right for me?

Everyone deserves support, but sometimes it can be difficult to ask for help when you’re struggling. Therapy is an invaluable treatment option that helps increase insights and awareness about yourself. Many of us go through life holding our emotions in, feeling more comfortable internally ruminating than risk speaking and left feeling misunderstood or wrong. Although it can feel scary taking the first step, talking to someone helps. Whatever your situation, a trained therapist will give you the space to have that conversation in a safe, non-judgemental, and supportive way, and can give you the tools you need for a happier and healthier life.

I’m afraid therapy will open ‘Pandora’s box’. Will therapy make me feel more upset or traumatised?

It is not uncommon to experience hesitancy, apprehension or anxiety before starting sessions with a new therapist: it is one of the most vulnerable steps a person can take to sit across from another person, and let yourself be known. 

This may unearth feelings that you haven’t felt in a long time, but the process is designed to support you to discover who you are underneath your struggle. At times it may feel hard, but hard in the right direction instead of hard in the wrong direction. As your therapist, I’m here to support you through those steps, and if you feel things are too hard, or aren’t working, we will talk about it, change directions and try something new as needed. 

How will I feel after my therapy sessions?

It is common to feel a range of emotions after your therapy session and this will change from week to week. When you feel heard or understood you may feel relieved, as if a weight has been lifted. Other times, if the session has brought up very painful or difficult memories, you may leave upset or overwhelmed. 

The emotional ups and downs - sometimes called the ‘therapy hangover’ - is a common reason why some people stop treatment. While the ultimate goal of therapy is to help you feel better, it’s easy to forget that it will be hard work at times. While you may get discouraged or even be tempted to jump ship at times, I’m here to support you through any discomfort and remind you that feelings are a sign that you are doing the work and making changes. 

I often recommend that clients create space and time for themselves after each therapy session instead of joining a party, another zoom call or going out straight after. This is even more important when doing online sessions where the transition time back into your life can be even shorter once you turn off your computer.

How do I find the right therapist?

Finding the right therapist is a very personal decision. While it is important to consider the different treatment methods used by a therapist, ultimately it is about fostering a relationship of trust. The quality of the relationship and the rapport you develop with your therapist is the single greatest predictor of positive therapeutic outcomes. While it may seem overwhelming researching the different therapists available, the single best step is to arrange to speak to a potential new therapist to see if their personality and approach feel like a good fit for you.  

To book a phone conversation with me, you can use the form below. I’m always happy to talk over any question or concerns you may have.

What kind of therapy do I need?

Psychotherapy is an umbrella term used to describe many types of talk therapy that help treat various mental and emotional difficulties. There are many different types of therapy available and there is no one size fits all approach. If you would like to read about different therapeutic modalities you can do so on the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy web page. 

My approach is holistic and integrative. While I use many techniques, my training is rooted in transpersonal psychotherapy, a method of counselling that values personal wholeness. In addition to talking, I will encourage you to work with your body through experiential activities, such as role-playing, guided imagery to re-experience emotional situations from the past with the intention to heal the present.

Can therapy help me regardless of my background?

Many people seeking therapy are concerned that their background or experiences won’t be understood by a therapist. On top of this, many people have had unpleasant or distressing experiences with health professionals failing to be respectful, trusting or caring, often because of their identity or perceived identity. 

Therapy cannot work without a trusting, safe and respectful space. I’m committed to creating that space for everyone regardless of your gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental health, neurotype, appearance, age, race, ethnicity, class, nationality or religion.  

Are the problems I’m dealing with too big to be dealt with by therapy?

I have supported many clients who have experienced structural discrimination or systemic abuse in their lives. While therapy may not be able to fix injustice, discrimination or exploitation, a good therapist can help you deal with the distress and trauma that arises from it. Whatever the problems and challenges that you may have faced - or may be facing - I’m committed to hearing you, without minimising any part of what you want or need support with. Together, we will develop effective tools and strategies which you can use to help improve how you experience your life.

Is it possible to heal my past traumas?

It is absolutely possible to heal trauma, but healing trauma is not always about remembering or analysing what happened in your past. It’s about learning how to ‘turn down’ the intensity of what you are feeling when triggered. While this heightened response is completely normal, it can feel overwhelming when these reactions become stuck or suspended. 

Therapy can leave you feeling more empowered and able to better regulate your own emotions. This process will integrate difficult memories and help you to connect back to a calmer and more grounded self. 

How long will I be in therapy?

Therapy can last anywhere from one session to several months or years with the length of time being determined by you. Different treatment methods, the goals of the person seeking therapy, current symptoms, and personal history all influence the length of time you may choose to be in therapy. Building trust and developing a relationship with your therapist can take time. If you are looking to address needs that run deeper than finding an immediate solution to a specific concern, you may choose to allow yourself more time to process and reflect these concerns with your therapist.

How does online therapy work?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the UK government has required all non-essential work to take place online. This means that all my therapy sessions will be exclusively online until it is deemed safe to see clients face to face. While this may be new to some, I am a big supporter of the convenience of online therapy sessions, which allow you to navigate a busy schedule with work, family, holidays and still get the support you deserve, in a private, comfortable space of your own. 

I use the professional version of  Zoom (you can download it here) which is secure, easy, and free for you to use, and I have the fastest fibre internet available to ensure the quality connection you deserve for our conversations. If you have any questions about how this can work for you, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

Confidentiality in psychotherapy: how does it work?

All therapists and counsellors are bound by a code of ethics and are required to maintain confidentiality in sessions between the client and themselves. In order for you to feel comfortable and able to share openly you need to know your information is safe from the very beginning. It is important to note that there are some limits to confidentiality when the well-being of the patient or people in the patient’s life may be at risk. This is all laid out in my working agreement and will be discussed in your first session. 

How long are the sessions?

Each session is 50min long and will take place on the same day and time each week. 

How do I get started?

The first step is to get in touch and tell me a bit about yourself and why you are considering starting sessions. If you feel we are a good fit, we will arrange your first session and go from there. You can use the contact form below or email me directly at hello@lianbluetherapy.com.