If you are not as happy as you would like to be then you have a real opportunity to take measures to give yourself a happy life. Therapy can be vital in helping you achieve this. You may wish to embark on a series of sessions for several reasons: to gain clarity on an issue, change old patterns, untangle complex personal issues or for self-development. You may seek therapy because of a crisis or may be encouraged to seek help by family members, friends or colleagues.
There is no typical session. The session is time set aside for you and what you talk about will vary according to your goals and needs. You are free to discuss what you wish to, from everyday events, dilemmas, feelings, thoughts, memories and dreams. Your counsellor will provide a safe environment in which to explore your issues and work towards self-improvement. If you prefer to approach your issue in a more practical way and structured way, then cognitive behavioural therapy may be a good choice.
The number of sessions depends on you as an individual and your unique presenting issue. A first consultation will enable both you and the therapist to get a rough idea about the presenting problem and an estimate of how many sessions you will require. Usually you will start with 6 sessions and review after that. Cognitive behavioural therapy is designed to be short term and typically lasts from 6-20 sessions. Counselling and traditional psychotherapy tends to be longer term and many last for many months or even years.
Therapy sessions are completely confidential, and it is one of the most important priorities for Yaakov Barr & Associates. It is illegal for any therapist to break any confidentiality unless the person they are working with pose a danger to themselves or others, in which case the relevant parties will need to be notified.
In the UK, therapists are not eligible to prescribe medication. If a therapist recommends medication, they will will discuss it with you and write to your GP and/or refer you to a psychiatrist.
Outside your scheduled appointment time, a therapist will not be able to be relied on in case of an emergency or crisis. You may need to seek other resources for help, such as contact your GP, the Samaritans (08457 909090 www.samaritans.org) or if necessary, emergency services.
Whether your health insurance covers appointments depends on your policy. You should contact your provider to find out if therapy sessions are included, how many sessions are covered, and if there are any limitations. Please note that we cannot communicate directly with insurance companies for assessments, updates, invoices, or payments. You'll need to fund the appointments yourself, and then it's up to you to claim reimbursement from your insurer.
We require 48 hours notice for any cancellations (for adolescents 24 hours notice). Any missed sessions or cancellations will be charged at the full fee and is at the discretion of the therapist. The cancellation policy applies to holidays, work commitments and illness.
Payment is taken in full at the end of each appointment/session by bank transfer, card or cash.
My Standards
Our practice adheres to the rigorous standards set forth by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). We are committed to providing evidence-based, effective therapy to our clients. Our therapists undergo extensive training and adhere to strict ethical guidelines to ensure the highest quality of care. We continuously engage in professional development and adhere to ongoing supervision and monitoring processes to maintain our standards of excellence in therapeutic practice.
