Fees and FAQs

How do I know if therapy is for me?

If you’ve thought about it more than once, it’s probably worth at least a 20-minute call. The call itself isn’t therapy — it’s a chance to ask anything, get a sense of what therapy with me might be like, and decide whether to take the next step. There’s no commitment.

What happens on the free 20-minute call?

We’ll ask what’s brought you here in broad terms — you don’t need to your whole story. You can ask anything you like about how we work, the fees, the logistics. By the end you’ll have a clearer sense of whether to book a first session. No pressure either way.

What if I get on the call and realise it’s not for me?

That’s completely fine, and useful for both of us. I’d rather you find the right therapist than push to keep you. If we’re not a fit I can often have a suggest someone who might be.

What happens in a first session?

Mostly a longer version of the conversation we had on the call. You don’t need to come prepared. I’ll take some more history and do some risk assessment to check this is the right kind of therapy for you. I’ll listen carefully, get a fuller picture of what you’re bringing, and towards the end we’ll talk about whether to continue and what that might look like.

How do I prepare for my first session?

You don’t need to. Some clients jot down a few sentences about what’s brought them here so they don’t blank when asked. Others prefer to come in and see what surfaces. Both work. Wear what’s comfortable. Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle. There isn’t a formal waiting room here, but there is a beautiful, peaceful courtyard garden.

How long does therapy take?

It depends on what you’re bringing. Some people work with us for a few months around a specific issue. Others stay for a year or more on something deeper. We review the work openly so you always know roughly where you are.

Do I have to talk about my childhood?

No. We are very likely to end up there, because the patterns we live by are often laid down early, and i will ask about your early experiences — but we go at your pace and only where it’s useful. Some people find their childhood barely comes up; for others it turns out to be the heart of the work. There’s no template.

What if I cry, or what if I can’t cry?

Both are welcome. Tears here aren’t a sign you’re falling apart — often they’re a sign something important is moving. And if tears don’t come, that isn’t a failure either; some emotions take time to find a safe enough place to land.

What if therapy makes me feel worse before it feels better?

Sometimes it does, briefly. Looking at things you’ve kept at arm’s length can stir them up before they settle. We watch for this and slow down when it’s getting too much. Feeling worse for years on end is not how therapy is meant to go — if that’s happening we’ll talk about it openly.

What if I don’t know what I want from therapy?

That’s a very common starting point. Not knowing what you want is often itself something worth understanding — it can mean you’ve been so busy meeting other people’s needs that you’ve lost track of your own. Working out what you want is part of the work.

What’s the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

The line is blurry and both can be excellent. Broadly, counselling tends to be shorter and focused on a specific issue; psychotherapy goes longer and looks at the patterns underneath. I can offer either and honestly I consider them the same thing really. I work in a way that is likely to suit what you’re bringing, and in collaboration with you.

What’s different about Transactional Analysis?

TA pays particular attention to the relational patterns we learn growing up and how they show up later — in our partnerships, our work, our inner self-talk. It’s structured but not clinical. Most clients find it gives them a framework for understanding themselves they can carry into the rest of life.

Online or in person?

Both work. In person tends to suit people who want a clear separation between therapy and the rest of life, and people working with body-based or trauma material. Online tends to suit people with demanding diaries, parents of young children, or anyone outside easy travelling distance of King’s Lynn. We’ll talk about what suits you on the first call.

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

We have a small number of evening slots, particularly for clients who can’t easily attend during the working day. We don’t currently work weekends, although Saturday morning first assessments may occasionally be available.

Will you tell my GP or anyone else?

No — not without your written consent. The exceptions are the standard limits of therapeutic confidentiality, which we’ll explain on first session: serious risk to you or someone else, certain legal obligations, and disclosure of acts of terrorism or child protection concerns. These are rare and we’ll always try to talk to you before any disclosure is made.

What if I’m already seeing another professional — a GP, psychiatrist, NHS therapist?

That’s fine, and usually helpful. We’ll ask about other support you have so we can work alongside it rather than at cross-purposes. With your consent we can liaise with your GP or psychiatrist where that would help.

What if I’m on medication for anxiety or depression?

Many of our clients are, and it doesn’t get in the way of the work. Decisions about medication stay between you and your prescribing clinician — we don’t advise on doses — but we’ll think with you about how it’s working for you.

What if I’m in crisis?

We’re not a crisis service. If you’re at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, please contact your GP, NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health), or the Samaritans on 116 123. We can be part of your longer-term recovery, but we’re not the right place when something urgent is happening tonight.

Are you registered with a professional body?

Yes. Ruth is registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and works to their ethical framework. You can verify the registration directly on their website.

Can I claim through health insurance?

I don’t currently accept insurance I’m afraid.