Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If you're noticing patterns in your relationships that cause you distress, struggling with trust or intimacy, finding it difficult to be vulnerable with others, or feeling stuck in how you connect with people, therapy can provide a space to explore these concerns. Many people also seek therapy when they're single and keep choosing similar types of partners, or when they're in a relationship but something feels fundamentally not right. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy—sometimes the most transformative work happens when you're simply ready to understand yourself and your patterns more deeply.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and see if we're a good fit. I'll ask you about what's brought you to therapy now—this 'why now?' question often helps focus what you're hoping to work on. We'll also discuss practicalities like frequency of sessions and what you can expect from the therapeutic process. You're welcome to ask me any questions about my approach, experience, or how I work. There's no pressure to commit after the first session; it's as much about you getting a sense of whether you feel comfortable working with me.
What does 'existential therapy' actually mean?
Existential therapy focuses on your lived experience and the meaning you make of your life and relationships, rather than diagnosing symptoms or applying standard techniques. It's a philosophical approach that explores fundamental questions about how you exist in the world, how you relate to others, and the choices you make—including the choice of how much to reveal of yourself in relationships, how to deal with the inevitable uncertainties in intimacy, and how to live authentically rather than according to others' expectations. In practical terms, this means we'll focus on your unique experience and what matters most to you, rather than following a prescribed treatment plan.
Will you give me advice or tell me what to do?
I won't tell you whether to stay in or leave a relationship, who to date, or what choices to make. What I can do is help you explore your feelings, understand your patterns, and examine what you truly want versus what you think you 'should' want. The goal is to support you in making your own informed choices based on a clearer understanding of yourself, rather than prescribing solutions.
Do you offer online/video sessions?
Yes, I offer both in-person sessions in Central London (W1W) and online sessions via secure video platform. Many clients find online sessions just as effective as in-person work, particularly for ongoing therapy. We can discuss which format works best for your circumstances and preferences.
What's the difference between individual therapy and couples therapy for relationship issues?
Individual therapy focuses on your own patterns, attachment style, history, and internal experiences around relationships. It's often the right choice when you want to understand why you keep repeating certain relationship dynamics, struggle with trust or vulnerability, or need space to explore your own feelings without a partner present. Couples therapy brings both partners together to work on communication, shared patterns, and the dynamics between you. Some people do both—individual work to understand their own patterns alongside couples work to address the relationship itself.
How often would we meet?
Most clients find weekly sessions most effective, particularly in the beginning. Some people transition to fortnightly sessions over time. We'll discuss what frequency makes sense for you based on what you're working on and what's practical for your circumstances.
How long are sessions?
Standard sessions are 50 minutes. This gives us meaningful time to work while also maintaining clear boundaries and structure.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Everything you discuss in therapy remains confidential, with very limited exceptions required by professional guidelines—primarily situations involving risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or legal requirements such as court orders. Please rest assured that I will always talk to you about any of those exceptions first. Professionally, I am bound by the ethical codes of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). We'll discuss confidentiality fully in our first session.
How do I book an initial session?
You can contact me through the contact form on my website or by email. I'll respond in an email exchange where we can discuss what you're looking for and whether my approach might be a good fit. From there, we can schedule a first session.
How active are you in sessions?
I take a fairly active approach—I reflect, ask questions, and engage in dialogue with you rather than simply listening in silence. My aim is to help you explore your experience from different angles, gently challenge assumptions when it might be helpful, and support you in seeing patterns you might not recognise on your own. That said, the content and pace are always led by you.
I find it really difficult to be vulnerable, even with people I'm close to. Is this something therapy addresses?
This is one of the core issues I work with. Difficulty with vulnerability often stems from earlier experiences where opening up felt unsafe or led to hurt. This might manifest as keeping conversations surface-level, withdrawing when things get emotionally close, or even ending relationships before you get 'too' attached. In therapy, we'll explore what vulnerability means to you, what makes it feel risky, and gradually work on building capacity for authentic emotional connection. The therapeutic relationship itself can be a space to practice this.
My partner and I have different desires around sex and intimacy. Can you help with this?
Yes. Sexual intimacy concerns often connect to broader relational dynamics—trust, vulnerability, communication, and how safe each person feels in the relationship. I work from a sex-positive perspective, which means I approach sexuality as a normal, healthy part of relationships and create a non-judgmental space to discuss concerns around desire, mismatched libidos, or the connection between emotional and physical intimacy. Sometimes individual therapy is most helpful for this work; other times couples therapy might be appropriate.
I keep choosing the same type of person and it never works out. Why does this happen?
Repetitive relationship patterns often reflect underlying attachment styles, unresolved experiences, or unconscious beliefs about yourself and relationships. You might be drawn to what feels familiar—even when familiar is painful—or trying to 'fix' something from your past through your current choices. In therapy, we can examine what draws you to certain types of people, what you're hoping to get from these relationships, and what might be keeping you from choosing partners who could offer the kind of connection you actually want.
I struggle with trust in relationships. Can therapy help?
Yes. Difficulty trusting others often has roots in earlier experiences—perhaps relationships where trust was broken, inconsistent caregiving, or situations where being vulnerable wasn't safe. In therapy, we can explore where this difficulty comes from, how it shows up in your current relationships, and gradually work on building capacity for trust where it's warranted. This doesn't mean learning to trust everyone; it means understanding what makes trust difficult for you and developing the ability to assess when someone is trustworthy.
How long does therapy take?
This varies significantly depending on what you're working on and your goals. Some people find a few months of focused work helpful for a specific issue, while others engage in longer-term therapy to explore deeper patterns and make lasting changes in how they relate to others. We'll discuss what feels right for you, and therapy is always at your pace—you're in control of how long you continue.
I'm not currently in a relationship. Can therapy still help with relationship issues?
Absolutely. In fact, some of the most effective relationship work happens when you're single and able to examine your patterns without the immediate pressure of a current relationship. If you find yourself repeatedly attracted to unavailable people, sabotaging promising connections, or struggling to find the kind of partnership you desire, individual therapy can help you understand what draws you to certain dynamics and what might be keeping you from the intimacy you're seeking.
What are your fees?
Please see my 'Sessions and Fees' page for current pricing information. I occasionally have a limited number of reduced-fee spaces available for clients experiencing financial difficulty—please enquire if this would be helpful.
I'm interested in or currently practicing consensual non-monogamy. Do you work with this?
Yes, I work with individuals and couples exploring or practicing consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and polyamory. This might include navigating the transition from monogamy to CNM, working through jealousy or unexpected emotional responses, improving communication across multiple relationships, or examining whether non-monogamy genuinely aligns with your values and needs. I approach relationship structures without judgment—what matters is finding what authentically works for you, not conforming to any particular model.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ clients?
Yes, I'm committed to providing LGBTQ+ affirming therapy. I work with individuals across the spectrum of gender and sexual diversity, and I understand that relationship concerns for LGBTQ+ people often intersect with issues of identity, coming out, minority stress, and navigating relationships in contexts that may not fully accept or understand them. My practice is a space where your identity and relationships are respected and affirmed.
What's your cancellation policy?
I require 48 hours' notice for cancellations. Sessions cancelled with less notice are charged in full. This policy helps maintain the regular space we've set aside for your work and is standard practice in private therapy.
What if I want to stop therapy?
You're always free to end therapy whenever you choose. Ideally, we'd have a conversation about it so we can reflect on the work you've done and what you're taking forward, but ultimately the decision is yours. Some people also find it helpful to take breaks and return to therapy later when needed.
What if I don't feel we're a good fit?
The relationship between therapist and client is crucial to effective therapy, and fit matters. If after our first session or even after working together for a while, you feel we're not the right match, that's completely okay and something we can discuss openly. I can help you think about what might work better and provide recommendations for other therapists if that would be helpful.