Tom Goss UKCP Registered

FAQ

Counselling and Psychotherapy
Many people have experienced the positive impact that psychotherapy can have on their lives, their well-being, and on their capacity to be themselves and to be more fully who they are.Therapy can not be done to you and engagement and regular committent is essential to a positive outcome. Many others are unsure about therapy and there are a number of questions that people commonly have.......…

Is therapy different from talking to a friend, doctor, social worker or colleague?
Yes! It is important to have friends to talk to, and other professionals can be a source of support. Because you are reading this information you are searching for a psychotherapist. Psychotherapists have been trained to help you develop new or different perspectives on the ways in which you relate to your self, others and life in general, in order that you might engage with life and the many challenges it brings us in a way that is preferable to you.


How often do I have to go?
The most usual arrangement is for you to have one appointment at the same time each week. Some people need and /or want to go more frequently, but this is often a matter of affordability. Meeting less frequently is not usual, as both consistency and commitment to your therapy is usually a necessary prerequisite of a successful outcome.

How long can I expect psychotherapy to last?
The proverbial – ‘how long is a piece of string’ is somewhat appropriate. It largely depends upon what you are trying to achieve from it. The shortest forms of therapy would normally be for no less than 6 sessions, and would be quite focussed on a specific issue. Other forms of therapy may be initially structured over 20 sessions, right through to long-term open-ended therapy.

What is required of me?
It is important that you are in therapy for yourself, rather than to please someone else. It is fine to be unsure of it however, and to have a ‘wait and see’ approach. You should discuss this with the therapist as you meet with them.

How do I know when to finish?
Some forms of therapy are for set periods, and so the end date is established early on. It is sometimes possible however to continue beyond this point, and this can be discussed with your therapist nearer the time. With open-ended therapy, there always comes a point, and sometimes several points when ending arises as a topic for you to discuss in your session. It is an important thing to discuss, so as to establish whether you feel you have got to where you wanted to, or don’t want to go on, or wish to take a break. Your therapist will help you explore this.

Don’t only mentally ill people need psychotherapy?
The notion of being mentally ill has many negative connotations in our society. In truth it is a subjective label, which probably isn’t very helpful. The mental health of each of us is as diverse as our physical state of health. Would you say you were unhealthy simply because you couldn’t run a marathon? Some people would, which is why it is subjective. In truth,psychotherapy is a valid activity for anyone who wishes to explore an issue or be supported with something they find difficult.