How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Therapy can provide a safe, confidential and secure environment for clients to explore aspects of their lived experience that they are struggling or unhappy with. Anxiety, hopelessness, sorrow, loneliness, isolation and ill-being are all dimensions of the human experience; therapy provides the space to reflect, grapple with and come to terms with these universal concerns.

Clients sometimes seek therapy when they are dissatisfied with how they are living their lives. They may be frustrated with their work situation, or coming to terms with a bereavement.  Their personal relationships may be negatively impacting them.  Therapy can be a very useful process for clients to gain more insight into how they respond to their lives.  It can also provide space to explore feelings of being stuck, overwhelmed or confused with the situation they find themselves in.

What is the process for starting therapy?

In the first instance I offer an initial, free 15 minute consultation over the telephone or Zoom to find out a bit more about what you are looking for and to get a sense of whether I am the right therapist for you.  There is also an opportunity for you to ask me anything about how I work, and what kind of therapy I offer.  

What determines successful therapy?

Generally, the best predictor of success in therapy is rapport.  This means that feelings of trust and respect between the client and therapist create a therapeutic alliance. This therapeutic alliance, coupled with both the client and therapists willingness to speak honestly and freely within a safe environment lays the solid foundations for the therapy to manifest.

Do you give advice?

My role is to provide a space which facilitates you to make your own choices. I do not direct you on a courses of action that are not of your choosing.  I will however challenge you to explore different ways of making sense of your experience and thus bring new possibilities to light.

Is there a time limit to therapy?

Therapy is generally open-ended which means that the client makes the decision when to stop the therapy.  However, if you would like short-term therapy, we can discuss together the number of sessions that would be beneficial to you and come to an agreement on this.

How do online sessions work?

Online sessions can take place over Zoom, Skype or FaceTime.  If you have another platform you would like to use I am happy to discuss this with you.  To get the most out of online therapy, I can offer a few helpful tips:

• Find a quiet place without any distractions so that our sessions can proceed in a safe, secure and confidential environment.
• Ensure that your broadband connection is adequate for our fifty minute video call sessions.
• Close down any programs which are running in the background and turn off notifications if you can as these can be distracting.
• Give yourself a few minutes either side of the session to collect your thoughts, ‘come into the space’, and transition from any activities or tasks you have previously been engaged with.

What is the best way of contacting you?

I am contactable at soniashah.psychotherapy@gmail.com and I will endeavour to reply to you via email within 24 hours.

What is the cancellation policy?

Please give 48 hours’ notice if you cannot attend a session. Missed sessions with less than 48 hours’ notice are charged at the full rate.

Although I do charge for cancelled sessions with less than 48 hours’ notice I attempt to offer some flexibility by offering another session time within the same week.  If I am not able to offer you an alternative time, the session will need to be paid for in full.

I am bound by the professional codes of conduct as defined by BACP.  This includes the responsibility to manage your information confidentially and in line with GDPR.

Confidentiality means I will treat your personal information and what you share with me with utmost respect, and in line with the BACP ethical guidelines.