You can refer yourself to the service. Professionals can also get in touch to introduce you, the presenting issues and I can contact you to set up the initial assessment session.

It depends on the complexity of the issue and on the individual’s needs. I work in a focused way to achieve specific goals. Once we’ve achieved what we set out to do, we could discuss further goals and other issues you might want to work on. However, my main goal is for us to achieve your specific goals rather than long-term therapy.

Yes. Please contact me to check if your insurance provider is covered.

Talking about memories that you have buried for a long time can increase distress and trauma symptoms in the short term. This is a normal response, which is why we make sure you have the coping skills and support systems in place before we start processing any trauma memories.

The therapy goes at a pace that you feel comfortable with, there is no pressure to move to the next phase if you don’t feel ready. You have coped this long without professional support, you are more resilient than you think.

You don’t have to disclose anything that you aren’t ready to share. It takes time to trust someone with your story, especially if you’ve been let down by people and services. You can start with whatever you feel comfortable with sharing.

I work with a small number of private clients, so there might be a waiting list. Get in touch and I will let you know if there is a waiting list and how long the wait might be. I can also recommend other services and psychologists.

Beyond Trauma is based at Bond Street Health. There are a few steps leading into the building itself. There is a lift and the rest of the building is accessible.

There is on-street parking (3-5 minute walk) and a multi-storey car park (5-10 minute walk) nearby.

Yes. Meeting a new person for the first time can be nerve-wracking, so bringing someone along can reduce that anxiety. Let me know if you feel nervous about the first session and we can discuss how we can make that less daunting for you. I could explain beforehand what to expect in the first session or we could do the first assessment session online or as a phone call first.

Your confidentiality is important to me. In the section GDPR, you can find more information about how I protect your confidentiality, as well as limitations to confidentiality.

Yes, I work with children from the age of 12 with their parent’s consent.

Weekly sessions are recommended to treat trauma symptoms as effectively and quickly as possible. Holidays, sickness, and life happens, so we can work around that.

Please cancel 48 hours before the session, otherwise the full session price will still be charged. The notice period gives enough time for someone else to be booked into that slot.

You can pay with cash or bank card in the session, or by bank transfer beforehand. I send out an invoice on the day of the session and ask for it to be paid by bank transfer within 48 hours before the session.

No. We will cover your trauma symptoms, incl. frequency, severity, impact on your life, in the assessment sessions. We will treat any trauma symptoms that affect your life negatively, whether or not they meet a diagnostic threshold.

Yes. I have recently been trained in the The Crown Prosecution Service’s new guidelines on pre-trial therapy and am able to offer therapy, including EMDR, in a way that won’t jeopardise your case.

Yes! I frequently work with people who self-harm, anything from cutting, burning, self-neglect, misusing substances, to taking risks with their health or general safety.

I see self-harm as a coping strategy that has proven itself as an effective and available method to change the way you feel. Trying to understand its function helps us find safer, more sustainable alternatives. And no, I don’t see self-harm as “attention seeking”.

Yes and no.

Beyond Trauma is not a crisis service and won’t be able to respond to emergencies.

If you are immediate risk to yourself, please go to the Emergency Department at the General Hospital. If aren’t at immediate risk but want to speak to someone urgently, please call Samaritans (116 123 - free from any phone, 0330 094 5717 - local charges).

If you want to discuss non-urgent suicidal thoughts, e.g. “I’m better of dead, I’m a burden to my family”, we can discuss that in our therapy sessions. I do NOT have the powers to section you. However, if I think you are a high risk to yourself or others, I will have to share that information with the relevant people to keep you safe. Depending on how immediate the risk is, that could mean your GP or the police. I will do my best to discuss these concerns and plans to share this kind of information with you first. This is to make sure you have a say with HOW the information is shared but not IF it is shared due to the risk level involved.