Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect from Psychological Therapy | FAQs
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It's completely normal to feel unsure about what to expect from therapy and the early sessions are designed with that in mind.
The first two to three sessions are an assessment & formulation period. Rather than diving straight into a set agenda, these sessions are an opportunity to slow down and explore what's been weighing on you, the patterns you've noticed, and what you'd most like to take away from therapy. I'll ask questions, and you're also welcome to ask questions of me.
By the end of this phase we'll have a clearer shared understanding of what's been happening for you and a sense of the direction our work might take. We'll also check in honestly about whether working together feels like a good fit and if a different clinician or specialist approach might serve you better, I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.
There's no pressure to have everything figured out before we begin. Therapy is a collaborative process, where slowing down to work things out together matters.
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Sessions are offered on a weekly basis, at the same time and day each week, consistency is an important part of the therapeutic process. All sessions are 50 minutes.
How long will therapy last? This is one of the questions I'm asked most often, and the honest answer is that it varies. The length of therapy depends on what you're bringing to the work, your goals, and how the process unfolds for you personally.
Some people find that a shorter piece of work e.g. around 6 to 12 sessions gives them what they need. Others are working with longer-standing patterns, attachment trauma or more complex difficulties, will benefit from a longer, more in-depth therapy. There's no fixed timeline, and I won't keep you in therapy longer than is useful.
We review our work together regularly, checking in on how things are feeling, what's shifting, and what might come next. Decisions about when to end are made collaboratively and with enough time for a healthy ending.
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I believe in being transparent about fees so you can make an informed decision before getting in touch.
Free initial consultation — 20-minute initial phone call, no charge.
Individual therapy session — £120 per session (50 minutes)
Single standalone appointment — £120 (50 minutes, no ongoing commitment required)
Comprehensive mental health assessment — £300 (includes two 50-minute assessment appointments and a 30-minute feedback session)
Organisational consultation — price on request, depending on scope and needs
Reports and letters — price on request
Sessions are typically held weekly. Payment is accepted by bank transfer (BACS).
If you hold a private health insurance policy with BUPA, WPA, or Cigna, you may be able to use this to fund your sessions, see the insurance question below for details.
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Yes, I am a registered provider with BUPA, BUPA Global, Cigna, and WPA.
If you hold a health insurance policy with one of these providers, you may be able to use your policy to fund psychological therapy sessions, sometimes at little or no cost depending on your level of cover.
How to use your insurance: Contact your insurer before booking and ask whether your policy includes mental health or psychological therapy cover. If it does, request a pre-authorisation number - you'll need this before your first appointment. Once confirmed, I'll invoice your insurer directly for each session. Any policy excess is payable directly to me by bank transfer (BACS).
What if my insurer isn't listed? If your insurer is not listed above, it's still worth contacting them directly. Many UK health insurance policies allow you to reclaim the cost of sessions with a registered Clinical Psychologist, even where I am not a listed provider. Your insurer can confirm whether this applies to your policy.
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If you feel that I may be able to help you and you’d like to book an appointment, please head over to my CONTACT page to arrange an initial 20 minute telephone consultation.
Alternatively, you may contact me directly via email at hello@kspsychotherapy.co.uk
I aim to respond to all enquires within 2-working days. Please do keep an eye on your Junk Folder, as sometimes my replies arrive here.
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Yes to both. I offer in-person psychological therapy at my private practice in central Hertford, Hertfordshire. The practice is easy to reach by train or car from Hertford and the surrounding areas, including Ware, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, St Albans, and Broxbourne. Full location details and directions are on the Location page.
I also offer online therapy sessions via a secure video platform, available to adults across the UK. Many clients find online sessions work well alongside a busy schedule, or where travelling to Hertford isn't practical.
If you're unsure which format would suit you, this is a good thing to discuss during the free initial phone consultation.
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Yes, what you share in therapy is private and confidential. However, in rare cases it is my duty of care and legal obligation to inform appropriate agencies if I have concerns about your safety or the safety of other, including children or vulnerable adults.
Information may be shared if required to do so under a court order or by law for the prevention, detection or prosecution of a crime. These situations happen very rarely, and normally I will inform you of the fact that I have disclosed information in this way.
As part of my registration with the HCPC, I receive regular clinical supervision. This means I may discuss aspects of my clinical work with my supervisor, always without using identifying details. Supervision is a professional requirement designed to protect clients and maintain high quality of care, it is not a breach of confidentiality.
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Private psychological therapy is not a crisis service, and I'm afraid I’m not able to offer urgent support outside of our scheduled sessions. If you are in immediate danger or feel at serious risk, please contact emergency services on 999, call NHS 111, or go to your nearest A&E.
For non-emergency support between sessions, your GP is a good first point of contact during working hours. The Samaritans are available around the clock on 116 123 - free to call, any time.
If you find that difficult feelings are arising between sessions, it can be helpful to note them down and bring them to your next appointment. Strong emotions between sessions are often some of the most important material we can work with together.
Further support resources are listed on the Resources page.
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If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let me know as soon as possible by emailing hello@kspsychotherapy.co.uk.
Cancellation policy: Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or not attended, will be charged at the full session rate. This applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including holidays, work commitments, and illness.
I know this can feel strict, but the reserved time is held exclusively for you, cancellation policies are standard practice across private therapy and help ensure the work remains consistent and protected.
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Let’s Arrange a Free Call
If you still have a questions, or you’d like to talk things through before deciding on which service you might need, feel free to get in touch. A brief 20-minute conversation often helps clarify any uncertainty.
