Frequently Asked Questions
Discover You
Adults
We like to think of therapy as a very personal experience that is different for each person. It is a mutual endeavour between you and your Psychologist to seek to understand the mind better. Using a gentle curiosity we can:
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Explore why and how you make certain choices or get caught repeating
certain patterns of behaviour; -
Gain a broader awareness of your mental states (emotions,
thoughts, beliefs, memories, wishes, dreams, impulses, etc.) and
their connection to the reactions you might have; -
Explore the nature of how your relationships begin, maintain and end;
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Make “blindspots” more conscious;
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Understand what your body communicates to yourself and others;
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Reflect on how the relationship with your therapist can actually bring up
certain feelings around past relationships.
Opening up can be hard, and it may take time for you to trust your psychologist. It is OK to say that you do not feel ready to talk about something difficult right now. Your thoughts and feelings will help your psychologist understand you and how to help. Any change in life involves time and effort. Your commitment to attend sessions regularly, courage to look at yourself honestly, and willingness to make some difficult changes in your life will help you make progress.
Seeing a psychologist for the first time can be anxiety provoking for some people. We understand that you may already feel anxious, depressed, and/or in a crisis and that’s why you are coming in the first place.
You can expect to be offered a cuppa as we want our clients to feel as “at home” as possible. You can decide in the first few sessions whether the person you see is a good fit for you.
What to expect in Therapy
Sessions usually last 50 minutes and the length between sessions is decided after completion of the initial session. Sessions are conducted in a relaxed and friendly environment, where you will have the opportunity to discuss your problems/life difficulties with your psychologist.
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You can be assured of being treated non-judgmentally and with warmth, respect and acceptance. We will regularly review your progress to make sure we’re heading in the direction you want to be.
How the Counselling Sessions work
Our first priority is to create a therapeutic environment in which you feel safe and supported to express and explore your concerns. The initial session provides an opportunity for you and your therapist to develop a good rapport and strong working alliance.
We will then work together to identify and clarify your goals and priorities, and determine the best ways for you to move forwards. All psychology treatment techniques used at iPsychology are evidence-based and tailored to your needs, drawing on our expertise in:
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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
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Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
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Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
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Motivational Interviewing (MI)
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Psychodynamic Therapy
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Mindfulness-based Therapy
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Schema & Narrative Therapies
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The first session is a ‘get to know you’ session. We know from neuroscience that often when people attend counselling for the first time, their brains go into fight/flight/freeze or fragment mode. At iPsychology we approach therapy by connecting with you in a way which aims to interrupt this protective nervous system response, so that you can engage in therapy more effectively. When you feel a sense of safety in the process, you can achieve a more sustainable and meaningful counselling outcome.
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It may take a few sessions for your psychologist to have a comprehensive understanding of your situation and concerns and to determine the best approach or course of action. Your psychologist may ask what brings you to therapy, your concerns, and any symptoms you experience. They may want to learn about your childhood, education, work history, current relationships, short and long-term goals.