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Booking a therapy session can be daunting especially if you've never experienced it before. Even if you have been to therapy in the past, then meeting a new person in an unknown environment can be understandably nerve-wracking. That's why I offer the option of a free 20 minute "discovery phone call"- it's your chance (and mine) to check out how the relationship feels, to discuss practicalities and your initial goals for therapy.

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At our first session, we'll meet either in my quiet home office in leafy Alwoodley or over a secure online connection.

 

If you arrive early, there is beautiful countryside a 5 minute walk away and local amenities.  Our first consultation will be an opportunity to get used to the surroundings and for me to listen deeply to your story, your feelings and your difficulties. I'll be beginning to form a picture of you and your relationships and how I can be responsive and attentive to your energy and what helps to open up and feel safe. 

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Starting to work online can feel different than in the room. You may feel that we reach a place of sharing or depth quicker or it may take time to find just the right place in your own environment for our consultation to happen in. Its my role to help you be safe and grounded as we work together and even though we are not physically present together, I will still encourage you to be aware of thoughts, feelings and sensations and how they interrelate. 

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If you decide to proceed, we'll then contract together about your aims for therapy and how long you'd like to work.  I'll continue to take some of your psychological history and if we contract for longer term exploratory work this may take several sessions.  Once this section of the work is finished, we'll proceed to work together "in the moment", guided by what's coming for up you. I'll check in with you regularly about your evolving aims and awareness and how the therapeutic relationship is feeling and functioning.