Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a psychologist or starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. Here you'll find information about my approach to therapy, EMDR, trauma and Complex PTSD, online appointments, fees and what to expect when we work together.
If your question isn't answered here, or you're unsure whether therapy might be right for you, you're welcome to book a free 15-minute video consultation.
Clear answers about therapy, EMDR and getting started.
My approach and what to expect
Adapting therapy to the individual
How EMDR works and what it treats
Consultations and choosing therapy
Trauma, PTSD and its effects
Costs, insurance and appointments
Therapy and My Approach
What can a Clinical Psychologist help with?
A Clinical Psychologist can help with a wide range of psychological difficulties, including trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation, attachment difficulties and the effects of difficult or overwhelming life experiences. My particular area of expertise is working with trauma and complex psychological presentations. I use evidence-based approaches including EMDR, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and parts-based / Internal Family Systems (IFS) approaches, depending on what is most appropriate for you.
How is your approach different from traditional therapy?
I take a structured, active and collaborative approach to therapy. While having space to talk and feel understood is important, I don't believe therapy should simply involve talking about problems indefinitely. We work together to understand what is happening, identify the patterns and experiences that may be maintaining your difficulties, establish clear goals and use evidence-based psychological approaches to work towards meaningful change. Lots of our work will be experiential. This involves active resourcing and processing, breathwork, body-based, somatic and nervous system approaches to healing.
How quickly can therapy work?
There is no fixed number of sessions. Everyone responds differently to therapy. However, I aim to make therapy as focused and effective as possible. Rather than continuing therapy without a clear direction, we regularly review progress and consider whether treatment is still needed. Where appropriate, we focus on the underlying experiences, beliefs and patterns contributing to your difficulties so that we can address the problem at its source. For some people, meaningful changes can occur relatively quickly. More complex or longstanding difficulties may require more time and a phased approach.
Do I need to talk about everything that has happened to me?
No. You don't need to tell me your entire life story for therapy to be helpful. You might not want to share any details at all. Part of my role is to help identify which experiences, patterns or difficulties are most relevant to what you are experiencing now. In trauma-focused therapy, we can work at an appropriate pace rather than asking you to recount every difficult experience in detail.
Do I need a diagnosis to have therapy?
No. You don't need to have a formal mental health diagnosis to seek psychological therapy. People come to therapy because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, triggered or unable to move forward, even when they don't have a specific diagnosis. I use psychological formulations to help clients make sense of their difficulties, not psychiatric labels. An initial, free consultation can help us understand what is happening and whether psychological therapy would be appropriate.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychological therapy originally developed to help people recover from traumatic experiences. EMDR aims to help the brain process distressing memories and experiences that may be influencing how you feel, think and respond in the present.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is mostly established as a treatment for PTSD and trauma-related difficulties. It can also be incorporated into therapy for people experiencing difficulties associated with childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, accidents, bereavement, relationship trauma, attachment difficulties and other distressing experiences. Whether EMDR is appropriate depends on your individual circumstances. I will assess this with you during the initial stages of therapy rather than assuming that EMDR is the right treatment for you.
Can EMDR help with Complex PTSD?
Yes. EMDR can be adapted for people who have experienced repeated or longstanding trauma, including childhood abuse, neglect, attachment wounds, interpersonal trauma and other experiences associated with Complex PTSD. Complex trauma often requires a more individualised and phased approach than a single traumatic event. We may initially focus on stabilisation, emotional regulation, understanding patterns and developing a sense of safety before beginning more intensive trauma processing.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
There is no standard number of sessions that applies to everyone. NICE guidance states that EMDR for adults with PTSD is typically delivered over 8–12 sessions, although more sessions may be appropriate where someone has experienced multiple or complex traumas. I will discuss likely timescales with you as we develop a clearer understanding of your difficulties and will regularly review whether therapy is helping.
Is EMDR available online?
Yes. I provide EMDR therapy remotely via secure video appointments, allowing you to access specialist trauma therapy without needing to travel to a clinic. Online therapy can be particularly useful if you have a busy schedule, travel frequently, or simply feel more comfortable receiving therapy from your own environment. We will discuss whether remote EMDR is suitable for you during your initial consultation and make any necessary adaptations to ensure that you feel comfortable and supported.
Is online EMDR as effective as face-to-face EMDR?
Research supports the use of remotely delivered EMDR, and many people find online therapy both effective and convenient. However, remote therapy isn't automatically appropriate for everyone. During the initial assessment I will consider your circumstances, current level of stability, privacy, access to support and the nature of the difficulties you are experiencing before recommending whether online EMDR is suitable.
Can I have therapy if I live outside Liverpool?
Yes. I offer remote psychological therapy to adults across the UK, so you don't need to live locally to work with me. Remote therapy can also make it easier to maintain continuity of treatment if your work, travel or other commitments mean that you are frequently moving between locations.
Trauma and Complex Trauma
What is trauma?
Trauma is not simply the event itself. It is the psychological and physiological impact that an experience can have on you. People can be affected by experiences such as abuse, neglect, accidents, serious illness, bereavement, violence, relationship breakdown, bullying or other experiences in which they felt overwhelmed, powerless or unsafe. Two people can experience the same event and respond very differently. What matters is how the experience has affected you and whether its effects are continuing in your life.
What is Complex PTSD?
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) can develop following repeated, prolonged or interpersonal trauma, particularly when traumatic experiences occur over a long period or during childhood. In addition to symptoms associated with PTSD, people with Complex PTSD may experience difficulties with emotional regulation, relationships, self-worth, shame, trust, identity and feeling safe. Therapy for Complex PTSD therefore often involves more than simply processing individual traumatic memories. It may also involve understanding longstanding patterns, developing emotional regulation skills and working with beliefs about yourself and other people.
Can trauma affect me even if I don't have PTSD?
Yes. You don't need to meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD for difficult experiences to have a significant psychological impact. Trauma can contribute to anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, avoidance, shame, low self-worth, difficulties trusting others and feeling constantly on edge. Therapy can focus on the difficulties you are experiencing rather than requiring you to fit neatly into a diagnosis.
ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence
Do you work with people with ADHD?
Yes. I work with adults with ADHD and understand that neurodivergence can influence how people experience emotions, relationships, attention, overwhelm and psychological therapy. Where appropriate, I adapt the structure and delivery of therapy to take account of attention, executive functioning, sensory needs, communication style and other individual differences.
Do you work with autistic adults?
Yes. I work with autistic adults and can adapt psychological therapy to make it more accessible and useful. This may include adapting communication, session structure, pacing, sensory considerations, use of written information and the way psychological concepts are explored. I take a neurodiversity-informed approach rather than assuming that there is one way therapy should be delivered.
Can EMDR be adapted for ADHD or autism?
Yes. EMDR does not need to be delivered in exactly the same way to every person. For clients with ADHD, autism or other neurodivergent presentations, I may adapt the pacing, communication, session structure and use of bilateral stimulation according to individual needs. The aim is to maintain the therapeutic principles while making the process accessible and tolerable for you.
Starting Therapy
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes. I offer a free 15-minute initial consultation by videocall. This gives you an opportunity to explain what you are looking for, ask any questions, and decide whether I might be the right psychologist for you. It also gives me an opportunity to consider whether I can offer an appropriate service and whether EMDR or another therapeutic approach is likely to be suitable.
How much does therapy cost?
Private therapy sessions are £120 per session. I will discuss the recommended frequency and likely approach to therapy with you before we begin, so that you have a clear understanding of what you are committing to.
Do you accept private medical insurance?
Yes. I accept referrals funded through several private health insurance providers, including: •BUPA •AXA Health •Vitality Insurance policies vary, so I recommend checking your individual policy and obtaining authorisation from your insurer before beginning treatment. If you are using private medical insurance, I can provide the information required to help arrange your treatment.
Can I pay privately if I don't have health insurance?
Yes. You do not need private medical insurance to work with me. You can self-fund your therapy at £120 per session, and you are welcome to book a free initial consultation first to discuss whether working together would be appropriate.
How often will I need therapy?
This depends on your goals, difficulties and the type of therapy we are using. Some people benefit from weekly sessions, while others may require a different frequency. Often clients have busy lives and a schedule that changes each week. We can be flexible with the frequency and intensity, with a trauma-focused approach that works best for you. We will agree a treatment plan together and regularly review whether the frequency and approach remain appropriate.
How do I know whether EMDR or another type of therapy is right for me?
You don't need to work this out before contacting me. During the initial consultation and assessment, we can explore what you are experiencing, what you would like to change and what may be contributing to your difficulties. I can then recommend an approach based on your individual needs rather than simply applying the same therapy to everyone.
Practical Questions
Can I have therapy while travelling?
Remote therapy can offer greater flexibility for people who travel regularly. However, psychological therapy is subject to professional and legal requirements regarding where you are physically located when a session takes place. If you expect to be travelling outside the UK during therapy, please discuss this with me in advance so that I can confirm whether sessions can continue while you are abroad.
Where are you based?
I am a UK-based Clinical Psychologist and provide psychological therapy remotely to adults across the UK. On occasion, I also offer in-person appointments where available.
How do I know if you're the right psychologist for me?
Choosing a psychologist is a personal decision, particularly when you are considering talking about difficult or traumatic experiences. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so that you can briefly explain what you are looking for, ask questions and get a sense of whether my approach feels like a good fit. There is no obligation to continue after the consultation.
How do I start therapy?
The easiest way to get started is to book a free 15-minute consultation. This gives us an opportunity to discuss what you are looking for and whether I am the appropriate psychologist to help. If we decide that working together is suitable, we can then arrange an initial assessment and develop a focused plan for therapy.