Your first session
Nervous? Good. That is human.
Almost everyone is nervous before a first session. Here is exactly what happens, so there is one less unknown.
Four steps, at your pace
A free call
Fifteen minutes on the phone or video. Say as much or as little as you like, and ask anything.
A first session
Usually within seven days. We get to know what brings you and what you hope will change.
A way forward
Together we agree how often to meet, in which format, and what we will look at first.
Regular check-ins
Every six weeks we pause and ask whether it is helping. You can change therapist at any time.
Inside the room
You will be met at the door on the second floor. The room has two armchairs, a small table with water, and a window onto the trees at the back of the yard. Sessions last 50 minutes, and your therapist keeps an eye on the time so you do not have to.
The first session is mostly us listening: what has brought you, what you hope might change, a little of your background. You set the pace. If something is not for today, say so, and we leave it.
Eight minutes on foot from Brighton station. Step-free entrance and a lift to the second floor.
Questions before a first session
What should I bring?
Nothing. Some people bring a note on their phone of things they want to mention; most bring nothing at all.
Will I have to talk about my childhood?
Only if you want to. We start with what is happening now. The past comes in when it is useful, at your pace.
What if I cry, or cannot speak?
Both happen, and both are fine. There are tissues, water and silence, and none of them need an apology.
Do I have to decide on more sessions there and then?
No. You can go away and think about it. We will hold the time slot for 48 hours.
When you are ready
Book the free call first. If it does not feel right, you have lost fifteen minutes and nothing else.