Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? Have a look at the FAQs below, or drop me an email: cosytherapy@gmail.com
What is therapy?
This depends on yourself and your therapist. I tailor therapy to your needs, so my work will look different according to what you bring. Usually, I will open the session by asking you whether you want to work on a goal, or talk about your week. This gives you an opportunity to reflect on what feels most important to you at the moment. You might choose to work on a therapeutic goal - perhaps you want to talk about romantic relationships, process trauma, or work on a habit change. Alternatively, you may find that things in your week have been bothering you, so we can make space for that to be explored.
I am trained in a few different tools to help you unpack, process or change. These include CBT - exploring thoughts, feelings and behaviours, challenging rigid thinking, and finding new ways to understand a situation. I often work in a person-centred way - exploring a topic with you, reflecting on your understanding of the situation and how your sense of self has been affected. I can also help you explore psychodynamic areas, including family systems, power dynamics, and attachment styles. You don’t need to know what these are - I will offer and explain options as we go, and it’s your choice whether to use these tools or not.
For more info on my style, have a look at my blog 'What is Therapy? 6 key features of my style'
What are your qualifications?
I have a Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, which means I am a qualified, professional counsellor. I undergo continued professional development, to enhance my practice. That includes attending training courses, seminars, and reading about therapy topics. I also practice in a drugs and alcohol counselling agency, helping people to recover from their substance use, trauma, depression and anxiety. For more info, have a look at:
Where do you practice?
I practice exclusively online, so we can work together from wherever you are.
What’s the difference between therapy, counselling and psychotherapy?
In my training, I was taught that these three terms mean the same thing. Therapists can choose whatever terms they feel happiest with. My Diploma is in ‘Counselling and Psychotherapy’, and I can use those terms. I usually use ‘therapy’ as it is a popular term, and it feels right for me.
What is trauma?
Trauma is a negative experience that has significantly impacted your life. For some, it’s a single event; for others, it’s many smaller events that have built up over time. You may have had a difficult experience that you didn’t perceive as traumatic - or you may have later realised that it was traumatic. It’s an individual perspective, and your personal idea of your history is what matters. If you want to use the word ‘trauma’ to describe your experience, you can - and if you don’t, that's okay. Some people prefer to use words like ‘difficult time’, or ‘painful experience’.
I work in a trauma-informed way, which means that I pay attention to difficult experiences and the impact they have had on you - but we will always use the language that makes sense to you, and work from your perspective.
I don’t really know what I want from therapy, is that okay?
Yes! Most clients don’t yet have a clear picture of where they want to go - they just know that they want to feel better. So if that’s you, welcome! The first appointments are for us to take stock of where you are, and what’s affecting you at the moment. From there, we might get a clearer idea of topics or directions that would be useful to try.
Do I need to prepare anything before my first appointment?
No, you don’t need to prepare anything. The first appointment is a great place to explore how you’re doing and what’s brought you to therapy. You’re welcome to write a few bullet points down in advance, if you want to. But it’s not necessary for us to do the work.
I’m nervous, is that normal?
Absolutely. It’s natural to be nervous before a new experience, and sometimes we can worry about what might happen. However, I do my best to help you settle those nerves during our work, and hopefully you’ll find that you become super comfortable during our sessions. I feel very positively towards my clients, and I always meet them with warmth and kindness. I work to make a space in which you would feel safe to be open, and I take everything at your pace - you never have to talk about things that you don’t want to.
What do we talk about in the free 15 minute session?
Whatever matters to you. If it’s low feelings, specific traumatic memories, or tricky habits, we can talk through what’s happening for you and how we might work on it together. It’s a chance for you to get to know me, start to feel confident and relaxed, and decide whether I’m the right therapist for you.
How long will I be in therapy?
It’s really up to you. You might have a clear idea of how long you want to work - you can book a block of sessions with me. You might see how it goes, and follow your instincts on when you might want to finish. You can take breaks from therapy and wait for the work to settle, and then return when it feels right. It’s all about your choice, and we can talk it through together as we go.
Phone / Whatsapp
07835986178
Connect
Address
I work exclusively online
I am based between Edinburgh and London