Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about systemic family psychotherapy, how I work and what to expect from sessions. If you have a question not covered here, please feel free to get in touch.
What is systemic psychotherapy?
Systemic psychotherapy focuses on relationships, communication and the wider systems that shape our lives. Instead of viewing difficulties as belonging to one person, it explores how patterns within families, couples, other relationships and wider society influence wellbeing. The aim is to create new, more helpful ways of relating and supporting meaningful change.
Who is systemic therapy for?
Systemic therapy can help individuals, couples, families, and blended or chosen family systems. People come for support with:
• Relationship or family conflict
• Parenting or co-parenting difficulties
• Emotional or behavioural concerns in children or teenagers
• Anxiety, low mood or stress
• Life transitions, illness or bereavement
• Separation, divorce or communication issues
• The impact of trauma or ongoing relational stress
What happens in a therapy session?
Sessions last around 60 minutes. We explore what brings you to therapy, what you hope to change and how different perspectives contribute to patterns you want to shift. Conversations may include:
• Reflecting on relational patterns
• Exploring different viewpoints
• Strengthening communication
• Identifying strengths and resources
• Optional reflective tasks between sessions
You can attend alone, with a partner, with family members or with friends.
How many sessions will I need and how often are the sessions?
There is no set number. Some people find a few meetings helpful; others prefer longer-term support. We regularly review progress and decide together on the pace and length of therapy. Often I suggest doing 4 to 6 sessions and then a review.
There is flexibility in the frequency of sessions. Often, for family sessions I would recommend a session every two weeks. However, sessions can also run on a weekly or monthly basis and can change throughout our time working together.
Is therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is an important part of creating a safe and respectful space for everyone involved in therapy. In systemic work, we recognise that conversations often include multiple people, relationships and perspectives. Because of this, we take care to agree together how information is shared within the family or between sessions.
Anything you discuss with me is kept private unless we have agreed as a group to share something with others, or in rare situations where there is a serious concern about someone’s safety. If a situation like this arises, I would always try to discuss it with you first and think together about the best way forward. Before we start our work together, I will ask for the contact details of your GP.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Life is busy and of course there will be reasons for a session to be cancelled. If you cancel within 12 hours of the session, more often than not the session would be charged in full. Before we start our work together, we will both sign a contract of work which will outline things in more detail.
How much does therapy cost?
Individual sessions £90.
Family, Relationships & Perinatal sessions £100.
I do also offer a discretionary sliding scale in certain situations, so please contact me to discuss this further.
Where will the sessions happen?
Currently, all my sessions are running online with certain appointment slots in the week and on the weekends. Please contact me to discuss availability.
What if therapy doesn’t seem to be helping?
Therapy can often take patience and time; feelings of uncertainty and frustration are common, interweaved with moments of reflection, growth and clarity. If progress continues to feel unclear, we discuss this openly and adjust our approach. Sometimes a different style or pace of therapy is needed. If another service would be more appropriate, I will support you in finding the right option.
Ethics, safeguarding and complaints
I follow strict professional standards regarding confidentiality, safeguarding and ethical practice. If you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to raise them directly with me. You may also contact my professional body if needed.