Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | GPS Therapy™

Therapy and coaching with me are reflective, exploratory and grounded in psychological depth — rather than quick fixes or performance techniques. We spend time understanding the patterns, experiences and internal dynamics that shape how you live, relate and respond to the world.

Some people come to heal from trauma or long-standing difficulties; others come to gain clarity, navigate transitions or make decisions from a more grounded and authentic place. My role is not just to help you cope, but to support meaningful and lasting change through deeper self-understanding.

We work at a pace that feels steady, safe and genuinely transformative. This is not a prescriptive process — it is a collaborative and relational one.

Counsellors and psychologists both offer valuable support, but the level and scope of training are different. Counsellors typically complete two to three years of training focused on providing emotional support using a single therapeutic approach.

Psychologists undertake seven to ten years of doctoral-level training, working across NHS and specialist services with a wide range of psychological presentations. Psychological therapy is based on assessment, formulation and the integration of multiple evidence-based approaches, tailored to the individual rather than a single model.

Psychological work is particularly suited to those seeking deeper understanding or long-term change — including people who have not found counselling sufficient, or who wish to explore complex patterns, identity, relationships or longstanding difficulties. This may include high-achieving individuals, those experiencing burnout, or people navigating complex inner experiences.

With over 20 years of clinical experience, I draw on advanced psychological training to support meaningful, lasting transformation, rather than short-term support alone.

Psychiatrists and psychologists play different roles in mental healthcare. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. Their training is based on the medical model, and many focus primarily on diagnosis and pharmacological treatment.

Psychologists are trained in psychological assessment, formulation and therapy. Rather than prescribing medication, we work through evidence-based psychological approaches to understand patterns, past experiences and emotional processes that contribute to a person’s difficulties. Some people choose to work with both — using medication support from a psychiatrist alongside therapy with a psychologist to facilitate deeper and more lasting change.

While psychiatrists focus on treating symptoms medically, psychological therapy focuses on understanding the whole person — promoting insight, resilience and long-term transformation.

Medication can be a helpful support for some people, but psychological therapy is often essential for creating meaningful and lasting change.

Yes. Psychologists are trained to assess and formulate psychological difficulties, which may include offering a diagnosis when appropriate. However, in therapy, diagnosis is only one part of understanding a person’s experience. The focus is less on labels and more on making sense of patterns, emotions and underlying causes, in order to support meaningful and lasting change. 

Diagnosis can be useful for some people, but it is not required to begin therapy. 

 Yes. I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist and Chartered with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I am fully insured and hold enhanced DBS. I also complete regular CPD and specialist training as part of my ongoing clinical practice.

Not everyone using titles such as “therapist”, “counsellor”, “psychotherapist” or “psychologist” is formally regulated. For safety and accountability, I strongly recommend checking that any practitioner is registered with a body overseen by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

For psychologists, this means HCPC registration. Other accredited registers for therapists include organisations such as BACP or UKCP. Choosing a regulated professional ensures your clinician meets nationally recognised standards of training, ethics and accountability.

Yes. I provide supervision for psychologists, therapists and other mental health professionals, including those working with complex trauma, personality difficulties or forensic presentations. Supervision offers a reflective space to explore clinical decision-making, risk, therapeutic process and professional development. 

GPS Therapy provides psychological therapy, coaching and clinical supervision for adults. Therapy is offered for those experiencing emotional difficulties such as trauma, anxiety, low self-worth or relational patterns that feel hard to change. My approach is suited to individuals seeking deeper understanding, long-term growth or support when previous therapy has not been enough.

Coaching is available for those navigating identity, purpose, performance pressure or personal development, particularly when life feels successful on the surface but unsettled underneath.
Clinical supervision and consultation are provided for psychologists, therapists and other professionals working with complex presentations, risk or therapeutic impact.

In addition to clinical work, I also provide specialist consultation, lecturing and contributions to professional development upon request.

Yes. All sessions are held securely online via Zoom. At the start of therapy, coaching or supervision, I will provide you with a private meeting link that belongs to you and is used each time we meet. Many people prefer online sessions because of the flexibility, privacy and consistency they offer. You can attend from home, work or any confidential space, without the time and stress of travelling. 

You don’t need any special equipment — many people simply use a laptop, tablet or phone. However, for the best experience, I recommend using a larger screen (such as a laptop or iPad) where you can see and engage more easily.

Using headphones can also help protect your privacy and create a more focused, personal experience, as it allows us to hear each other clearly without distraction. As long as you are in a quiet, confidential space, online sessions can feel just as connected and meaningful as meeting in person. 

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Longer consultations or review sessions may be available by arrangement if clinically appropriate. 

Therapy and coaching usually begin on a weekly basis, as consistency is important for building trust and maintaining progress. Sessions are typically held at the same time each week.
In certain circumstances — such as during periods of increased difficulty — existing clients may request additional sessions, which can be considered if availability allows. These are always agreed in advance.

Some clients move to fortnightly or monthly sessions later in their therapy, depending on their needs and stage of work. 

For clinical supervision, sessions are most commonly monthly, although they can be arranged fortnightly, bi-monthly or on an ad-hoc consultation basis. 

Yes, I work with adults aged 18 and over. I do not offer therapy for children or young people. 

Yes. Sessions are confidential and follow HCPC and professional ethical standards. I will only break confidentiality if there is a serious and immediate risk of harm, or if I am legally required to share information.

If you are using private health insurance, please note that insurers may request a diagnosis or basic treatment information. Many clients prefer to self-fund therapy to maintain full privacy. 

No. I do not offer crisis or emergency support outside of scheduled therapy sessions. I work within a planned, weekly therapeutic structure and I am not available between sessions for urgent contact, advice or emergency response.

If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please contact your GP, call NHS 111, or use emergency services such as 999 or A&E. You can also contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (free 24-hour support).

I am not able to respond to texts or emails between sessions that require urgent advice or support. 

Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged in full, as the time is reserved specifically for you. This applies to all clients and circumstances, to ensure consistency and fairness.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know as early as possible so the time can be offered to someone else. Cancellations must be made via email or text message only. 

Please note that refunds cannot be offered for missed sessions. 

Fees for therapy, coaching and supervision start from £110 per 50-minute session. This reflects the level of clinical training, preparation and specialist responsibility involved.

For complex, high-liability or highly specialist work — such as forensic therapy, court-involved cases, local authority referrals or professional consultation — fees are higher to reflect the additional preparation, documentation and legal responsibility required. These rates are always discussed and agreed in advance.

Further information on specialist service rates can be provided on request.

I am recognised by insurers such as Bupa and WPA, and for these providers I am required to invoice them directly. However, I run an independent practice and I have limited availability for insurance referrals, so I may not always be able to accept new clients via insurance.

I am not registered with other insurance panels. Some clients choose to pay for sessions themselves and then seek reimbursement from their insurer if their policy allows out-of-network claims. I do not complete insurer paperwork or liaise with providers on behalf of clients, so it is important to check your policy in advance.

Some insurers may request basic clinical information to approve or reimburse sessions. If full confidentiality is important to you, self-funding can offer greater privacy and control. 

Payment is made by bank transfer, at least 48 hours in advance of each session. Some long-term clients choose to pay for sessions monthly in advance by invoice, which can be arranged if preferred. 

Fees are reviewed annually to ensure my practice remains sustainable, and any changes are considered carefully. They do not always increase, and I aim to keep adjustments minimal for existing clients wherever possible. Any changes are discussed well in advance.

I recognise the commitment people make to therapy, and I aim to approach fees with fairness and transparency. 

At this time, I do not offer reduced fees. My fees reflect over 20 years of clinical experience and the level of responsibility involved in this work. I appreciate that therapy is a financial commitment, and I encourage people to invest only when the timing feels right for them.

Some clients choose to plan or save in advance, or reduce session frequency later in therapy once a foundation has been established. In most cases, however, I recommend weekly sessions at the start, as consistency is important for meaningful progress.

If I am able to offer alternative options in the future, such as group programmes or reduced-fee places, I will share this openly on my website.

You can get in touch via the Contact page or by email. I will let you know whether I currently have space, or if your enquiry is suited to my service. If it seems appropriate to proceed, I will send you a brief referral form to gather some initial information.

As I run a full clinic, I respond to enquiries as soon as I am able. This may take up to a week or so, depending on availability, but I will always do my best to reply. I do not operate a formal waiting list, but in some cases I may let you know if a space is likely to become available soon.

If you do not receive a reply, please check your junk or spam folder, as emails can sometimes be filtered.

If, after reviewing your referral form, I believe we may be a good fit, I will offer a short introductory phone call. This usually lasts around 15–20 minutes and allows us to discuss your needs, ask any initial questions and establish whether I have suitable appointment times available.

If we feel it is appropriate to proceed, I will send an electronic therapy, coaching or supervision agreement to complete before confirming a start date. Once a session time and date are agreed, you will receive your secure Zoom link, which will remain the same for each appointment.

You don’t need to prepare anything specific. Some people like to make a few notes or think about what they want to focus on, but it isn’t required. Our first session is a chance to talk through what brings you here, explore what you might need, and decide together whether it feels like the right fit. All you need is a quiet, private space where you can speak freely. 

I do not offer one-off sessions for new therapy or coaching clients, as meaningful psychological work requires a consistent therapeutic relationship. However, I do occasionally offer single consultation sessions for former clients or for professionals seeking supervision or input on a specific issue.

If you are unsure what kind of support you need, you are welcome to enquire, and I can advise whether a consultation, supervision or ongoing sessions would be most appropriate. 

Please note that one-off consultations, particularly for professional or complex matters, may be charged at a different rate and are agreed in advance. 

I primarily offer daytime appointments and I do not offer late evening sessions after 6pm. A limited number of early morning or end-of-day sessions may occasionally be available, but these are rare.

Sessions are normally held at the same time each week to support continuity and progress. In certain circumstances, such as during periods of increased need or work-related travel, additional or varied sessions may be discussed if availability allows.

Many clients arrange sessions around their working day — for example, during a lunch break, on a work-from-home day or planned time off. 

No. I do not offer appointments on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. My practice runs during weekday daytime hours only.