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What will therapy be like?
Feeling nervous about starting therapy is normal It is quite common to feel somewhat nervous about coming to therapy for the first time; opening up about the things that are the most personal is not easy. In sessions, every effort will be made to help you feel safe so that you can feel able to share what you need to to facilitate change in your life. No matter how painful or difficult the issue is for you, you will not be judged. You can be reassured that everything you say will be handled respectfully, carefully and confidentiality. Working toward your goals Sessions are oriented toward your goals that are guided by what is most meaningful to you. This gives us a focus and can help provide a means of measuring whether therapy is moving you in the right direction. We will likely practice things in sessions and I may give you things to work on between sessions to put these into action in your life. In this way your therapy is not confined to the 50 minutes we meet each week. My goal is to guide you toward learning to become your own therapist, so that you can know how to access your own resources of wisdom, compassion, courage and commitment at times in your life when you need it. You are always in the driving seat You will be in the driving seat, and we will work together to address the things that are important to you. I will ask questions and give you feedback, but I will also invite you to ask me questions and give me feedback on the process as well. We will always review how things are going and assess if we are heading in the right direction. Together we can come to a shared understanding of what your difficulties are, and what keeps them going. This will drive the work for you to make the changes you want in your life.
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Is online therapy effective?
It's been shown to be as effective as traditional therapy. Evidence shows that working online does not hinder people’s experience or progress at all, and many people prefer it. The Clinical Psychologists in our team all have extensive training and experience in providing specialist therapy online.
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How long will I be in therapy?
How long you spend in therapy will depend on the problems we are working with, and the goals you are working towards. We offer brief, short-term therapy, or longer-term deep psychotherapy.
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What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours’ notice for all cancellations. No-shows or cancellations made outside of this window will incur the full session fee. For more information, please read our terms and conditions of therapy service page.
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Will you keep the information I share confidential?
Absolutely. Every interaction is bound by strict ethical codes and laws of confidentiality and data privacy. Unmanageable risk to yourself or others is an exception to the confidentiality agreement but these circumstances are very rare. You can opt-in to details being released with certain people, such as your GP, but only the information you consent to will be shared. See the the terms and conditions of our service for further information.
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Do you offer crisis support?
No. We do not offer a crisis service, as such our psychologists cannot guarantee availability between sessions. If you are in need of urgent support you can visit your GP, OR local Accident and Emergency Department. If you reside in the UK you can call 111 or use the following support services: Samaritans (0845 7909090) Shout (85258), Papyrus (0800 068 41 41). See resources section for other crisis support including international crisis support hotlines.
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What is a 'therapy cooperative', and how does it work?"
TNP operates on a transparent business model that balances quality service, accessibility, and sustainable growth. We strive to offer competitive rates for specialist psychological services while working towards increased accessibility for underserved communities. How it works: We currently dedicate 8% of our therapy slots to providing services at reduced rates for people from low-income and disadvantaged communities. As we grow, we aim to increase this percentage and expand our impact on mental health accessibility. Our Values At True North Psychology, we are passionate about helping people and communities thrive. Our mission is to bring compassion and understanding to mental healthcare and improve its accessibility. We are committed to providing care that is ethical, evidence-based, and upholds high international standards. See our 'About' page to learn more.
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With so many different terms for mental health professionals, how can I tell the difference?"
Psychologists are skilled in assessing, diagnosing, formulating and treating the full range of psychological presentations. They’ve undertaken years of training in multiple therapeutic approaches, working with people across the lifespan in various settings. Having conducted their own research they have a sophisticated understanding of the science of therapy. Psychotherapist is a general term for professionals treating mental health issues through psychological therapy. However some psychotherapists may have received in-depth training in one or more therapeutic approach. Counsellor can describe individuals with a really broad range of qualifications, from basic training in counselling techniques to extensive study and experience as a psychotherapist. Psychoanalysts & Psychodynamic Psychotherapists provide psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies, employing specific approaches with origins in Freud’s work. Psychiatrists have trained as medical doctors prior to specialising in psychiatry. They have expertise in diagnosis, prescribe medications for mental health problems and may also practise psychotherapy.
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Do you offer supervision to therapists?
Yes. Our Clinical Director, Dr Sara Tookey offers supervision and reflective practice to various different professionals (e.g. clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, psychotherapists, healthcare staff, researchers) in individual and groups contexts, to qualified professionals and trainees. Please contact us to discuss.