FAQ

I have never had therapy before and feel nervous! Can I do anything to prepare myself?
It is OK to be nervous. Sometimes I feel nervous too about meeting my new clients! There is a wonderful book called ‘Therapy is…..magic’ by Jo Love that might help you prepare for therapy. It is a lovely book that guides you through the talking therapy process and gives you practical tips on how to go about it.

Can I have a telephone chat before booking an Initial consultation session?
I would be happy to have a brief chat with you over the phone if this is important to you. However, please note, my call to you or your call to me will only be a very brief chat and not a full-fledged counselling session. If you have a lot to talk about, I would encourage you to book an Initial consultation session.

How can I book an Initial consultation session?
You can book an Initial consultation session online by clicking on – https://Book-a-session-with-Nina-Guha.as.me/

How long does the Initial consultation session last?
Your Initial consultation session can last up to 50 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged on request, for an additional cost.

What happens at the Initial consultation session?
Your Initial consultation session is a chance for you to meet your Therapist and talk about what you are looking for help with. This is also a chance for your Therapist to explain more about how they can help. The initial session is also used to discuss and agree logistics e.g. how often your sessions will be and other related topics. If you decide to continue with ongoing sessions, you will be asked to fill in a ‘Client detail form’ and send it back by e-mail or bring it along to your next session.

What day of the week will I have my Ongoing sessions?
Usually, you will have your Ongoing sessions on the same day and time every week. There is some flexibility to accommodate clients who work shifts which can be discussed and agreed at the Initial consultation session.

How often will I have my sessions?
Most clients have weekly sessions. However, there is some flexibility with regards to the frequency to suit your needs. We can discuss this at your Initial consultation session.

Can I have an one-off session instead of regular, weekly sessions?
Yes, you can. I offer Single Session Therapy (SST) which is popular with clients looking for occasional therapeutic support. SST offers a flexible, pragmatic space which is both empathetic and strategy driven. SST allows clients a space for reflection and a chance to gain new perspective from a reliable, curious and experienced Therapist.

How do I book Single Session Therapy (SST)?
The booking process is exactly the same for SST. You can book an Initial session by clicking here. The Initial session will effectively become your one-off SST slot.

How does Couples therapy work?
In Couples therapy, the sessions are more directive and structured, unlike individual Counselling. The Therapist is impartial and does not take sides – a bit like a referee. The Therapist holds the balance and observes patterns being played out in each session. They act as a mirror and reflect back what they observe, to raise awareness of the impact of their responses and behaviour on each other. The work entails managing conflict, enhancing mutual understanding and empathy, naming dynamics and how these affect each Couple, focussing on feelings and communication, identifying needs of all parties concerned, working on negotiation, compromise and acceptance. The work is growth focussed rather than simply addressing the pathology of the relationship.

What is Relationship / Family Counselling and how is it different to Couples Counselling?
Relationship / Family Counselling is therapy for all relationships that are either from within or outside a family. The size of the Relationship group can be more than two. Unlike Individual counselling, the sessions are more directive and are usually structured towards improved communication, conflict resolution or effective functioning of the relationship system using a Systemic therapeutic model. The work focuses on the interactions and relationships between the system, to help everyone address problems and explore their feelings and opinions in a safe and non-judgmental environment. The Therapist tries to identify deeply entrenched patterns to uncover the ways in which members communicate and behave with each other based on personal beliefs about their respective roles. The therapist tries to help individuals understand their differences and will honestly reflect back their opinion about what may be causing those problems. The Therapist works fairly with every member of the group, so that no one feels isolated or picked upon unfairly. The work is growth focussed rather than blaming any one person in the family or non-family system.

Do you offer ‘Walk & Talk’ therapy sessions?
Yes, I do. ‘Walk & Talk’ therapy sessions are only offered between April – October annually, and even during those months, they are likely to be weather dependant. Before we can start ‘Walk & Talk’ therapy sessions, it is important for us to get to know each other and for me to assess whether the ‘Walk & Talk’ model is likely to be suitable for you and your needs. For example, a Client who is highly distressed might find ‘Walk & Talk’ therapy sessions unsuitable, due to the lack of privacy in parks. For your Initial session, I always recommend that you book either a Face-to-face or an Online session (on Zoom). After the Initial session, ongoing ‘Walk & Talk’ therapy sessions can be agreed by both parties.

How much will my session cost?
Please refer to my Fees page.

When do I have to pay for my Initial consultation session?
You have to pay for your session in advance by clicking here. Sessions not paid for in advance are considered cancelled.

How do I pay for my Ongoing sessions?
If you want to book a regular slot on the same day and time every week, you will be asked to pay for a block of 4 sessions in advance, payable by BACS. Payment details will be sent to you by email after your Initial consultation session. Once payment has been received, you will receive a booking confirmation email confirming the agreed dates and timing of your ongoing session.

How many sessions will I need?
This will depend on your personal circumstances. Most clients tend to have between 6 and 12 sessions; others with complex and multiple presenting issues tend to opt for long term sessions. The total number of sessions can be discussed at your Initial consultation session. There is no obligation to commit to further ongoing sessions after your Initial consultation session.

Can I re-schedule and/or cancel my session?
Yes, you can re-schedule and/or cancel your session with 24 hours notice. You will be charged full session fees, (at the pre-agreed hourly rate), if you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice. Exceptional circumstances will be taken into consideration provided they are not a repetitive pattern.

Is parking available on site?
Yes, free parking is available on site.

Can I bring someone along to my session?
If you have booked an Individual session, you cannot bring anyone else with you unless this has been agreed in advance between your Therapist and yourself to accommodate exceptional circumstances e.g. if you need an interpreter. If you have booked a Couple, Family or Relationship Counselling session, then all parties involved can attend the session together.

What type of therapy will I be having?
I use Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy which is a combined approach to psychotherapy bringing together different elements of specific therapies. Therapy techniques are predominantly client-led; they are also tailored to meet individual needs and personal circumstances.

What is Integrative Counselling?
Essentially, Integrative Therapists are not only concerned with what works, but why it works – tailoring therapy to their clients and not the client to the therapy.

Are you a member of any recognised regulatory body in the UK for Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Yes! I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) which is a recognised and esteemed regulatory body in the UK for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. To be an accredited member of BACP, all Counsellors and Psychotherapists have to undergo extensive training and stringent checks. I abide by the BACP’s ethical framework for good practice.

How do you keep your clinical knowledge and skills as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist up-to-date?
I attend regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops, seminars and events every year (a minimum of 30 hours annually to comply with the BACP’s mandatory membership requirements) to maintain, enhance, develop and keep my personal clinical knowledge and skills up-to-date. In addition, my clinical work is regularly supervised by an experienced BACP & UKCP registered supervisor.

If I need a letter to confirm that I am having therapy or had therapy in the past, can you help?
Yes, a letter confirming dates and timings of your attended sessions can be offered to active Clients free of charge. If you require a more detailed letter, you will be charged a full session rate payable in advance. If you have ended Therapy with me and need a letter confirming the dates and timings of your previously attended sessions, there will be a £40 charge payable in advance. If you have ended Therapy with me and need a more detailed letter retrospectively, there will be a £75 charge payable in advance i.e. a full session rate.

How does online video session work?
Online video session involves providing sessions over the internet via your mobile, laptop or PC using Apps like WhatsApp and Zoom. Online video therapy has limitations and might not be suitable for every client and/or certain presenting issues. However, this is becoming increasingly popular and appealing to clients looking for affordable and convenient therapy options and also to those who might feel uncomfortable attending traditional face-to-face sessions. You will need to find a suitable, quiet place where you can sit down comfortably and won’t be disturbed during your sessions for privacy and confidentiality reasons. When agreeing a mutually convenient day/time for your session, please consider practicalities i.e. when is it likely to be a good and quiet time for you to have your session without being disturbed by others?

How does telephone session work?
Telephone session involves providing sessions over the internet via your mobile, laptop or PC using Apps like WhatsApp and Zoom. You will need to find a suitable, quiet place where you can sit down comfortably and won’t be disturbed or overheard during your sessions for privacy and confidentiality reasons. When agreeing a mutually convenient day/time for your session, please consider practicalities i.e. when is it likely to be a good and quiet time for you to have your session without being disturbed by others? It is also helpful to keep a drink handy for your telephone session.

How can I access video and telephone sessions?
Please see links below for WhatsApp and Zoom. If you click on these links, it will direct you to instructions on how to install WhatsApp and Zoom either on your laptop or on your mobile phone.