07791084860
FAQS
WHAT HAPPENS DURING OUR FIRST CONTACT?
Please complete my brief online contact form or email me on ridding.anna@gmail.com where we will initially organise a free no-obligation telephone consultation, convenient to you, to talk about your challenges. If I am able to offer support, an appointment will be arranged either face-to-face or online.
WHY SHOULD I COME AND SEE A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, RATHER THAN ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL?
Finding a therapist can be daunting and sometimes feel like a minefield. You have to find the right therapist for you and therefore only you can decide whether I as a Clinical Psychologist feel like the right match.
I have undergone a doctorate and further training in several evidence-based psychological therapies, working with those of all ages, to be able to offer you tailored therapeutic support. Clinical Psychologists are skilled in offering 'formulations' which are visual maps highlighting your current difficulties and ways in which therapy might support you to achieve your goals.
I am accredited and therefore regulated with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and recommend that even if you find support elsewhere, you choose somebody you can trust who is also regulated by the HCPC.
For more information about Clinical Psychologists, click here.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
Sessions usually last 50 minutes, however sometimes, if therapy dictates, sessions may be pre-arranged to last 80 minutes. This will be discussed with you in advance.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST SESSION?
The first few sessions form an initial assessment whereby an understanding of your difficulties is developed. I will ask a number of questions about the challenges you're experiencing and be able to answer any questions or concerns you have. At the end of these sessions, I will be able to share with you the support options available.
HOW LONG IS YOUR WAITING LIST?
At present I will aim to see you within 4 weeks of our initial telephone consultation.
ARE SESSIONS CONFIDENTIAL?
Therapy sessions remain mostly confidential, which means the information you share during our sessions remains private. There are however exceptions to this and if I am concerned about your safety or the safety of others, I am duty-bound to pass on this information. This will be discussed prior to our initial sessions and remains the same for any other helping professional e.g. counsellor, therapist.
WHERE AND WHEN DOES THERAPY TAKE PLACE?
Therapy sessions can take place face-to-face at either Garstang (Preston) or Lancaster. I also offer sessions remotely via Skype and Google Meet.
Research tells us that therapy is most effective when conducted weekly or fortnightly. As treatment progresses, it may be indicated that sessions can become less frequent, however this is dependent on a number of factors that will be discussed with you in advance.
HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO SEE YOU FOR?
The number of therapy sessions you require is dependent on your current challenges and previous experiences. We will come to a shared agreement on the type of support you require and likely duration, although in the early days this can sometimes be hard to predict and a rough estimate may be provided.