© 2023 Select Healthy Mind Ltd

How do I know if I need psychotherapy / counselling?


Therapy/Counselling sessions can help you to gain clarity on an issue, change old patterns, untangle complex personal issues, or embark on a journey of self-development. You may seek treatment as a result of a crisis, or you may be encouraged to seek help by family members, friends or colleagues.

What happens in a session?


There is no typical session as such. Your therapist is trained in listening and reflecting, and provides a safe environment in which to explore your issues. With most types of therapy you are free to discuss what you wish, from everyday events, dilemmas, feelings, and thoughts, to regrets, aspirations, memories and dreams.

Other, shorter-term forms of therapy like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be more structured and provide practical exercises to help you understand your thoughts and actions.

What issues can therapy help with?


Clients come to us with wide-ranging problems, including:


What kinds of people seek therapy?


There is no barrier or restrictions to therapy; we welcome you, regardless of your culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or employment group. Our service is not just for adult individuals, but also for teenagers and children.

How do I start with a counsellor / psychotherapist?

How do I know which therapeutic approach is most suited to me?


There are many kinds of established therapeutic approaches nowadays, including Humanistic Counselling (also called 'person-centered'), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. You can read more about each type under '’Therapy Services'.  

Don't worry if you are simply not sure what particular approach would be suited to you. Your first appointment will be an assessment where you can discuss your issues and the different types of therapy that might help. Some therapists are also what is known as 'integrative', meaning they are trained in several types of therapy they can adjust to best match your issues.

How do I know which therapist is best for me?


You can learn about each therapist and their approach by reading the individual profiles under 'Therapists’ You can also talk to our admin team who can provide you with further guidance.

For your therapy to be effective, it's important you work with a counsellor or psychotherapist you feel you can eventually trust. At your first meeting both you and the therapist will have an opportunity to honestly decide if you will benefit from working together.

What if I want to try more than one kind of therapy?


Many therapists nowadays are what is known as 'Integrative', meaning they are trained in and combine a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches to best help their clients. If this is of interest we can discuss it further.

How long should I expect to have to continue counselling?


The length of your treatment will very much depend on your unique circumstances and needs, with 6-10 sessions often recommended with a review after that.

It also depends on the type of therapy you choose to try. Cognitive behavioural therapy is designed to be short-term and lasts six to 20 sessions. Psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, and existential therapies can be longer term, and many last for many months or even years.

Keep in mind that once you start sessions, new issues and angles can arise you were not aware existed that you then want to explore. It is of course possible to also see improvement faster than you expected.

Will my sessions be confidential?


Yes, all treatment sessions are confidential. The  exception would be if you were to pose a danger to yourself or others, in which case the relevant parties would be notified.

Is my therapist qualified?

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we’ve tried to answer some common questions about therapy and how we work at Select Healthy Mind.


At Select Healthy Mind our therapists have at minimum a postgraduate diploma and all have graduated from educational institutions that are accredited by the professional governing bodies of the psychotherapy industry here in the UK.

Out therapists are also all registered, and accredited (or eligible for accreditation) with at least one of the following:


BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

BABCP - British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy

BPS - British Psychological Society

EMDR UK & Ireland

How experienced is my therapist?


Our therapists all have years of clinical experience that includes time spent working for the NHS.

What happens if I don't think the therapist is a good match for me?


If you do not feel the therapist is a good match, we may be able to offer you a consultation with another therapist.

I only want one session, will the therapist be able to help?


Generally your first session will be used as an assessment and consultation, rather than for treatment. This allows you to identify your issues as you see them, and for your therapist to start to gain an idea of what your needs are. So unfortunately, having just one session is unlikely to have any lasting benefit for you.

Why do I need to attend weekly sessions?


Attending  weekly sessions helps you make gradual and steady progress that means you see real results. In some cases, a therapist will agree fortnight sessions.

Can I have more than one session a week?


Yes. If you require more than one session a week, therapists may be able to accommodate this, and offer you multiple weekly sessions.

Can I speak to a therapist before my appointment?


Therapists are in sessions with other clients during the day and simply can't make time to talk to every potential client. Your consultation appointment is the time to ask any questions you might have, find out about the therapist will work with and your potential therapy.

Remember that after initial consultations you are under no obligation to continue with therapy.

Does my G.P. need to refer me for an appointment?


No. You are free to refer yourself to any of the therapists at Select Healthy Mind. The only exception is if your insurers require you to have a G.P. referral in order to use your policy for treatment.

If you are a private practice, why do I have to provide my G.P. details?


Therapists request G.P. details for the unlikely event you had a medical emergency while attending therapy. In the case of a psychological or emotional emergency, your therapist would seek your permission to contact your G.P. in the interests of your safety and/or well being.

Can a counsellor/psychotherapist prescribe medication if I need it?


Therapists & counsellors are not eligible to prescribe medication.

Will my therapist be available for me in a crisis?


Your therapist will be available to you at your scheduled appointment time only. In the case of an emergency you will need to seek other resources. Contact your G.P., the Samaritans (call 116 123, www.samaritans.org), or, if necessary, emergency services.

Can I use my health insurance to pay for counselling sessions?


This depends on the nature of your policy. Check with your provider to see if therapy sessions are covered, how many sessions can be included if so, and if there are any other restrictions. Then please do ask us before booking to see which therapists are registered with the major health insurance providers that include AXA, Vitality, Cigna, Aviva, BUPA International, etc. You will be responsible for any charges otherwise, so do follow these steps carefully.

Do I have to contact my insurance first, or book an appointment first?


If you are familiar with the terms of your policy and are aware that therapy is covered, you are welcome to make an appointment with a therapist. You can then speak to your insurers to obtain an authorisation code before your session.  

If you are uncertain of the terms of your policy, your excess, etc., it is advisable to speak to your insurers before booking to ensure you are not personally invoiced for any charges.

What hours are therapists available?


Sessions are usually available on an hourly basis from 8:00 a.m. through until 8pm on Mondays to Saturdays.

Demand is always high for sessions outside of normal working hours (after 5pm).

If these are the times that suit you best but there is no slot available, it's advised you take another slot for the short-term. Therapists may be able to move you into a more convenient time when something becomes available.

Can I change my appointment slot after my assessment?


Of course - if the time you require appointments is not available, and you take another time slot while making it clear from the start this only works for you in the short-term, we will do our best to change you to a more appropriate slot when one becomes available.

I need to change my time slot for next week, is this possible?


Once you have agreed your session with your therapist, in the case of an occasional emergency where you will be able to change  it if therapists have a session available, but it is not a guarantee.

Why do I have to pay for missed/cancelled therapy sessions?


In order to reserve each weekly session there will be a cancellation policy that applies. Your therapist will share this cancellation policy with you prior to your first appointment.

An individual therapy session can be cancelled without charge no later than 48 hours before that session is scheduled for, however cancellation within 48 hours of said scheduled session will be charge full fee.


Full price will be charged for non-attended and non- cancelled sessions.

How can I pay for a therapy session?


The therapist will take payment in full prior to or at the end of each session via a cash transaction, bank transfer or credit/debit card payment.


You will be sent an invoice for any missed or cancelled sessions that do not abide by the cancellation agreement you have with your therapist, and invoices must be paid upon receipt. Do note that any unpaid bills may be passed on to a debt collection agency.

Will any of my information be shared?


Therapists are committed to your privacy, so sharing your personal information is a rare occurrence.


There are two exceptions. The first is if your therapist were to become aware that you are an imminent danger to yourself or others, or that someone else is a danger to you. You would first be encouraged to seek necessary support, and if you were unable or unwilling to do so your therapist has a duty of care to seek this support on your behalf.


The second exception is if your therapist were to become aware that you intended to commit a major crime of any sort. In such a case they have a legal obligation to disclose such information to the relevant authorities.


*Note that for the purposes of therapy, personal drug use or addictions are not considered to be criminal activities (unless they involve anyone underage). They are seen only as areas to be addressed in therapy.

Is there any parking nearby?


Parking can be found on Eton High St. And in Meadow Lane/Eton Court Car Parks

Are there any disabled facilities?


Yes, Our clinic offers disabled access on the Ground floor.


If you require extra assistance please let us know when you are booking your initial appointment and we can advise you further.

My partner, friend, or family member really needs therapy. Can I refer someone for counselling?


You may be very concerned about someone's well being and would like to see them have therapy. But it really is best if the person in question can reach out for support themselves. We are able to take enquiries from you on behalf of someone else, but you should have their full consent.

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To book a general consultation please contact us using our online form, email us direct at selecthealthymind@gmail.com, or phone the clinic on 01753863179 to leave a voicemail with return contact details. Barbara can be reached on 07514071824 or Joanna on 07702581165