FAQ
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Do I need a referral to Bluebird Psychology?
Do you work with children and adults?
How do I book an initial discussion?
Where do therapy sessions and consultations take place?
Is online therapy effective and suitable for me?
What can I expect to happen at the first session?
How many therapy sessions will I need?
What is the duration of each therapy appointment?
What topics do the training and workshops cover?
Is what we talk about confidential?
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Clinical Psychologists are trained in the NHS to work with people who are experiencing problems with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Clinical psychologists have specialist skills in assessing the difficulties and helping people to understand and make sense of their thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences. Clinical Psychologists are evidence-based practitioners, which means using assessments and therapy methods which are based upon research and clinical findings. We specialise in talking therapies, and do not prescribe medication.
Do I need a referral to Bluebird Psychology?
If you are self-funding you do not require another health professional or service to refer you. Some private health insurance companies ask that psychology treatment has been authorised by the GP or a psychiatrist in the first instance. If you are claiming under your health insurance, please check your individual policy.
Do you work with children and adults?
Yes, I have experience of working therapeutically and teaching and training with both children and adults. I do not currently provide early years intervention, typically seeing children aged 8 and above.
How do I book an initial discussion?
Please get in touch by email or telephone and leave a message. I will arrange an initial brief telephone discussion, which aims to answer your queries and help decide whether it would be a suitable fit to work together. Sometimes people require different specialist or more intensive services. If I am unable to help directly, I will try to signpost you to someone who can.
What is your availability?
Therapy clinics are run on Tueday, Wednesday and Thursday 09.00 to 16.30. I do not keep a waiting list, so if current availability for appointments is limited I will suggest you find another professional who can provide support promptly.
If you are enquiring about supervision and corporate training workshops please get in touch to discuss your requirements as these can be run outside of therapy clinic hours.
Where do therapy sessions and consultatons take place?
I have a welcoming, comfortable and private clinic room in Bentley (Near Farnham, Surrey) and can offer sessions either remotely or face to face.
Is online therapy effective and suitable for me?
Should you require or prefer online therapy I have been providing online CBT and EMDR therapy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and have received positive client feedback and excellent results. Whilst anecdotal evidence from clients and therapists is encouraging, the research is now catching up with us and I will update this page as findings emerge.
Online therapy may be less suitable or not preferable for some people, for example, in the context of social anxiety and autistic spectrum conditions. It is also considered a less appropriate mode of therapy where there are significant risk concerns such as suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviours for example, and if complex post-traumatic stress disorder is indicated. In these cases, face to face therapy with an appropriate service is likely to be most suitable.
What can I expect to happen at the first session?
The first meeting is an assessment session which is an opportunity for us to think together about the problem, to explore what goals you would like to achieve, and to make a plan for how best to help. I may ask for you to complete some initial questionnaires about the problem.
It is an opportunity for both client and therapist to ensure working together is a good fit. I will recommend what further assessment may be required, and discuss a therapy approach and plan to best suit your needs.
In terms of who comes along to the first appointment (for example: parent, carer, young person, family member, partner) we can discuss beforehand what feels most helpful and appropriate. Where the concern is about a younger child, I generally suggest that we meet for a parent appointment in the first instance.
How many therapy sessions will I need?
This will be different for each person depending upon the nature of the problem. Typically, 8 to 10 therapy appointments are recommended, followed by an appointment where we can review progress and agree next steps. Appointments can be on a weekly, fortnightly or review basis.
What is the duration of each therapy appointment?
Therapy sessions are usually 50 minutes to an hour long. The first time we meet we may need a little longer, so please allow up to 1.5 hours.
What topics and areas do the training and workshops cover?
I am able to draw upon a wealth of experience to deliver bespoke workshops to staff and employees on topics such as stress management, understanding trauma, preventing burnout, mental health awareness and wellbeing in schools and workplaces, building resilience and anxiety management. Please get in touch to discuss further.
What are the fees?
Fees vary depending on the nature of what is required. Please get in touch to find out more information about fees. Payment is possible via BACS or card payments, and I am registered with a number of major insurance companies.
Is what we talk about confidential?
Yes, what is discussed in therapy sessions is confidential. It is important to be aware that there are circumstances where as a health professional I would have a duty of care to share information to keep you and other people safe. For example, confidentiality would have to be broken if there were risk concerns for your safety or the safety of someone else, or if a disclosure was required by law or court order. I would always try to talk to you first about who needs to know and what would be shared. In very rare cases where it is not deemed appropriate to do so, I might not be able to tell you.
It is often helpful for me to write to your GP or another health professional involved in your care, and this is something I will discuss with you.
For remote sessions it is important you can find somewhere safe and private to talk.
What if my concern is urgent and I need immediate help?
Bluebird Psychology is not a crisis or out of hours service and is unable to deal with emergencies. If you feel that your concern is urgent please get in touch with your local GP, visit your local A & E department as appropriate or contact the NHS 111 Service.
What is your privacy policy and what happens to my data?
Bluebird Psychology takes your privacy seriously and complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679. Please refer to the website privacy policy for information about how referral information is stored or get in touch to receive the full privacy policy relevant to working together.