What do you charge?
For healing and psychotherapy my standard charge is £50 per hour. In case of difficulty this is negotiable, down to a minimum of £40 per hour. I also keep a small number of low-cost places for those in genuine need, and if necessary you are welcome to apply, although you may have to wait some time for one to become available.
For astrology, I charge £85 for a natal chart reading, and £65 for a follow-up. Charges for other work are by arrangement.
Do you charge for the first therapy session?
Yes, because this is a working session. You and I will be exploring what you are looking for and what I can offer, getting a sense of each other and deciding whether to work together. In the course of this you will begin to get an experience of what working with me would be like. I am not trying to sell you something, I am trying to support you in getting what you need, and whether you continue to see me or not, my intention is that this session will be helpful to you.
If I come for therapy, how long will our work take?
This is a very reasonable question, but difficult to answer. We can take one of several approaches: we can agree to work open-endedly, while monitoring how we are doing and reviewing our work from time to time; we can agree to work for a certain time and then review whether you want to continue; or we can agree to focus on one issue and work to a fixed number of sessions. When we meet we can discuss which approach will best meet your needs.
Do you work within a code of ethics?
Yes, I work within the codes of ethics of the professional bodies I belong to: the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP); the National Federation of Spiritual Healers (NFSH); the Faculty of Astrological Studies (FAS).
You say you are both a counsellor and a psychotherapist. What’s the difference?
This is a vexed topic among professionals. There is an overlap between the work of counsellors and psychotherapists, but generally, a psychotherapist will have undergone a longer and more in-depth training (a minimum of four years, and often much longer). She/he will also be required to have more client experience before qualifying. Also, a psychotherapist is obliged to be in personal therapy throughout her/his training, as he/she is expected to have reached a high level of self-awareness. Many qualified counsellors subsequently go on to train as psychotherapists. However, there are excellent and poor examples in both groups, and the most important thing is to find the person who you feel is right for you.
I want healing for a physical complaint, without any introspective stuff. Can you do that?
I can give you healing for a physical problem without you having to talk about your feelings and thoughts, if this is what you need. But the healing I give you will be addressing other levels of your being as well as your physical body, so you may experience changes emotionally, cognitively and spiritually. You may, in fact, experience these changes before feeling an improvement on the physical level.
I’m interested in having my chart done, but I’m afraid you’ll tell me something I don’t want to hear.
If you’re afraid I will predict some dire event, that isn’t the way I work. I will, however, be specific about the kinds of planetary energy that are operating in your life, and the kinds of experiences associated with them. We will discuss how you can learn from these influences and how you can work with them to create the best outcomes. On the other hand, perhaps you’re afraid that I’ll tell you something unpleasant about yourself. Again, I will not be describing you in fixed terms, but in terms of energies that can express themselves both positively and negatively. Certain planetary configurations are particularly challenging to live with, and understanding these can help you to see yourself more fully and clearly, with a more empowered sense of your potential.
Do your premises have wheelchair access?
There is a wheelchair ramp to the door of the building, and inside the building is a wheelchair lift down the four steps to the level of my room. The doorway to my room measures 30”. I hope this is wide enough to take your wheelchair. If not, I will try to find another room for us to meet.