Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know if Counselling/Therapy is for Me?

Therapy can be beneficial is you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or struggling with challenges like anxiety, stress, relationship issues or life transitions. It’s also helpful if you’re seeking personal growth, clarity or a deeper understanding of yourself. If you are uncertain reaching out for an initial consultation can be a great way to explore whether therapy is the right path for you. 

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What happens in a Therapy session?

Your therapist creates a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and challenges. The process can vary depending on the approach but the common elements are:

 

Typically, your initial session will focus on assessment and consultation rather than treatment. This provides an opportunity for you to share your concerns and for your therapist to begin understanding your needs. As a result, a single session is unlikely to provide lasting benefits. In this initial session there will be a lot of information gathering and establishing a foundation upon which to build your future therapy. The therapist may ask you about your personal history, family, and significant life events. 

 

In subsequent sessions there will be an initial check-in to see how you are and to keep sessions person-centered. Person-centered therapy means you the Client are in control of the direction and content of the sessions.  Once you feel comfortable and ready to share, significant time is spent in exploration and this may include a discussion around managing day-to-day life, emotional regulation, social interactions and physical health. Your therapist and you will work collaboratively allowing you to take the lead in sharing what is important to you. In some cases, assessment tools may be used which are standardised questionnaires to gather information about your mental health. 

 

Depending on the therapeutic approach, the therapist may introduce tools or techniques to help with specific issues. The therapist may provide you with insights and new perspectives to help you explore your situation in a different way. Therapists use their professional training to help you understand your patterns of behaviour or thought processes. 

 

In many types of therapy, you are free to discuss whatever feels important to you—whether it’s everyday experiences, dilemmas, emotions, thoughts, regrets and aspirations. Some shorter-term approaches, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), tend to be more structured and include practical exercises designed to help you better understand your thoughts and behaviours.

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What issues can Therapy help with?

• Mental Health Disorders: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder can be effectively managed through therapeutic interventions. 

• Emotional Challenges: Therapy provides support for individuals dealing with grief, stress, low self-esteem, anger management, and emotional regulation. 

• Behavioural Issues: Problems like eating disorders, substance use disorders, and insomnia can be addressed through various therapeutic approaches. 

• Life Transitions and Relationship Problems: Therapy can help individuals navigate significant life changes: such as divorce, career shifts, or relocation. Therapy looks toimprove interpersonal relationships, including family dynamics and marital issues. 

• Personal Development: Individuals seeking personal growth, self-awareness, and clarity on life goals or values may find therapy beneficial. 

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Lifestyle Challenges: A goal-focused therapy that helps people make healthier choices in their daily lives. It can help with chronic pain, mental health, and emotional well-being. It involves a comprehensive evaluation of a person's habits and behaviours, such as diet, sleep, and stress management.

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Are Therapists qualified?

At Taskeen Therapy all therapists are qualified and registered with their chosen governing body in the UK. These include the following:

 

BACP-British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy 

 

UKCP- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy

 

BPS- British Psychological Society 

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Will my Therapy sessions be confidential?

At Taskeen Therapy we take your privacy seriously, all session content is confidential, please refer to our privacy policy for further information. 

 

All registered therapists are ethically obliged to be in supervision with a supervisor who oversees their work. This is necessary for both the protection of the Client and the Therapist. In Supervision client casework is shared but due diligence is exercised to ensure confidentiality is protected and no identifiable information will be shared. 

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What if my therapist does not feel like a good match for me?

If you feel your Therapist is not a good match please email on contact@taskeentherapy.org.uk and we will allocate you one further therapist availability permitting. 

 

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What are the costs?

Session prices vary depending on the type of therapy but are in the range of £70-£85. 

 

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What if I have to cancel my appointment?

In order to secure your appointment time each week there is a cancellation policy in place. The therapist will share this policy with you prior to your first session. Any missed sessions outside of the terms agreed in this policy will be charged at the full fee including holidays, sickness, work commitments and emergencies. 

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How many sessions do I need?

Short-term therapy is considered 6-12 weeks; at the initial assessment session you will decide how many sessions you would like to commit to. This will form part of your contractual agreement. We recommend six sessions followed by a review to discuss your needs. 

 

It also depends on the type of therapy you choose to try. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is designed to be short-term and lasts six to 20 sessions. Psychodynamic, humanistic, and existential therapies tend to be longer term, and many last for many months, or even years.  

 

It is important to keep in mind once you begin sessions new issues may arise as you start exploring new perspectives. This is part of progress seen in therapy and is known as increasing self-awareness, this knowledge can change what you want to focus on in sessions. It is possible therapy progresses quicker than planned and your sessions are cut shorter. The best approach is to have regular check-ins and be open and honest with your therapist, if you have any concerns around length of therapy this can be addressed in session. 

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What do I do in a crisis? 

Therapists will be available for your weekly planned session however there may be times in between when your mental health deteriorates. Here are some ways you can get help in the UK. 

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If you are in Immediate Danger:

If you are in immediate danger call 111 and select the mental health option. 

If you are considering ending your life call 999 or go to A and E in hospital or text SHOUT to 8528 or call the Samaritans on 116123 

 

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If you are not in Immediate Danger?

Contact a friend or family member to help you talk through your crisis. 

Call Samaritans on 116 223 or visit Samaritans website 

Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit Shout Crisis Text Line