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FAQs
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
I use the term ‘counselling’ to refer to focused, often time-limited work on particular issues, and ‘psychotherapy’ to describe the open-ended journey of exploration.
A psychotherapist generally has a longer training than a counsellor and therefore is able to study the theory at greater depth and has had more clinical experience, usually, but not always, in working with more frequent sessions, usually more than once per week.
What kind of problem can I bring to psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy you can look at a variety of issues. In general, these would be things that are causing you concern about your emotional state. It might be a recent event, or something from the past that is affecting you. Sometimes people are unsure about the cause of their concern or even do not know exactly why they are unhappy.
Some of the most common things that people come to psychotherapy to address are:
emotional difficulties, perhaps arising from trouble with a partner, friend or parents.
sexual problems, as well as difficulties with sexuality
bereavement - the death of a friend or relative
difficulties with work, including loss of motivation
being away from home, loneliness
I’m not sure why I want to come to psychotherapy. Is it still Ok to come?
It is perfectly ok for you to come and explore things. I often have clients who either are unsure why they have come or who have so many reasons that they cannot pin it down specifically. Part of our work together would be to explore and help you clarify and understand, as well as to address any specific issues that arise. If at the end of the session you felt you had wasted your time, say so. Similarly, if I felt that it would be inappropriate for you to have psychotherapy with me (for whatever reason), we would say so at the end of the first session.
When should you seek psychotherapy?
From childhood through late adulthood, there are certain times when we may need help addressing problems and issues that cause us emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed. When you are experiencing these types of difficulties, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional. Professional psychotherapists offer the caring, expert assistance that we often need during these stressful times. A psychotherapist can help you identify your problems and assist you in finding the best ways to cope with the situation by changing behaviors that contribute to the problem or by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond your personal control.
Professional psychotherapists offer help in addressing many situations that cause emotional stress, including, but not limited to:
• anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders
• family and relationship issues
• substance abuse and other addictions
• sexual abuse and domestic violence
• eating disorders
• career change and job stress
• social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness
• adopting to life transitions such as retirement and parenthood
• the death of a loved one
• gender and identity issues
How is psychotherapy/counselling structured?
I offer an initial session to talk over your difficulties as quickly as possible with the option of returning for further sessions. The therapeutic process is usually a long term commitment. I generally start with an initial six session period of which we will evaluate the situation and decide whether we want to work together longer. We can either set a specific period such as three months, six months or one year, or we can leave the therapeutic contract open ended. During the period of the therapeutic relationship it is important that we review the process regularly.
When you want to stop therapy there will be a number of mutually agreed sessions in which the ending of the process can be addressed creatively. A referral can be arranged where appropriate.
Do psychotherapists work to any ethical guidelines?
Yes please refer to the website: The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
How long do I need psychotherapy for?
In one sense, you can come for as little or as long as you want to. I firmly believe that you are the adult paying customer and that you will make you own decisions about your own therapy (hopefully using discussion with me as part of that decision making process).
Behind that question is often a fear that people will get trapped in therapy and have to stay longer than they want to or need. I want to emphasise that I am a professional practioner who abides by a code of professional ethics. I will not encourage you to stay longer than I feel is necessary, and you are free to stop the process at any time. I am committed to having regular reviews with you to check that the process is working for you and to discuss with you what (if anything) still needs to be done.
Some people come for a few sessions, some for much longer. Initially I encourage clients to think in terms of committing for six sessions because it often takes that long to understand the problem, build a therapeutic relationship, and to achieve any change. You will have a sense of whether or not what you want to talk about can be helped in the short or longer term.
I also find that some people occasionally want to come back for a short period of time after a break. For example you may spend 15 sessions doing some really important work, but then find that two years on, you want to come back for one or two more, to reinforce that change and adapt it to new circumstances. I am happy to offer that facility.
You can book an appointment by phoning my Hyde Park, Central London practice on
020 7706 1997 or 07950 751352. Alternatively you can email me on: info@karendeeming.com
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