What To Expect

You can expect to meet with a therapist who will want to learn more about you and support you to learn more about yourself

Working with a trained psychotherapist offers an opportunity to grow and change in ways which are difficult to achieve on your own or with friends and family. The personal growth that may take place in therapy can free you from the limitations of old patterns. This allows more realistic and effective ways for improving the quality of your life, your relationships and how you feel about yourself.

Things to consider about psychotherapy

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Therapy is not a quick fix

Therapy is about change – remember the therapist cannot ‘do’ it for you.
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Therapy requires commitment

Psychotherapy often requires commitment and a preparedness to be open to new possibilities.
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Therapy can really help

Many clients find therapy of enormous benefit.
What to expect with psychotherapy

How we work with you

First Meeting

What usually happens is that you will come along for a first meeting to discuss your needs and together with your therapist you will decide about your aims. You will decide about future appointments and an approximate idea of how often and for how long you want to come. This will be reviewed as you go along. Our experience is that some difficulties resolve quickly others can require a long term commitment.

Appointments

Appointments can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly and frequency will vary dependent on your needs and the therapy approach. Booking an appointment carries with it a commitment to attend and we politely request at least 24 hours notice of cancellation in line with other organisations.

Explore Your Thoughts

We offer to support people in their own processes and development and in making their own decisions.

What you need to bring is your willingness to explore your thoughts and feelings and the preparedness for change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment?

Simply fill in the online form or telephone us and leave your contact details with our answering service if we are not available at the time, we will get back to you.

If you specify a particular therapist the person getting back to you will be the therapist concerned wherever possible, if your enquiry is generic, or your preferred therapist can’t respond, then an appropriate clinician will respond to advise you of the options and costs.

What can I expect when I book a session?

You can expect to meet with a therapist who will want to learn more about you and to gain an understanding of your needs.

Following the initial appointment, where further therapy is agreed, appointments may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly and session last 50 or 60 minutes.

Working with a trained psychotherapist offers an opportunity to understand and change in ways which are often difficult to achieve on your own or with friends and family.

Therapy is about change and requires commitment and a preparedness to be open to new possibilities and change. It is about a client and therapist working collaboratively and while some progress can happen relatively quickly, in other cases it may also take some time

What is the cost of therapy?

Our fees range from £70 to £120 per therapy session with appointments generally being 50 or 60 minutes long. The variation in cost is dependent upon the therapist and the approach being taken in therapy. Please enquire and we will be happy to discuss your particular requirements and advice on the costs involved

Written assessment reports are available on request and start from £195.00 for an assessment appointment and brief written feedback.

Clinical Supervision for therapists, health professionals and care workers is available from £90 per hour.

Do I need a psychological assessment or diagnosis before having psychotherapy?

No, you don’t need a diagnosis before starting therapy, the initial session with a psychotherapist will include time to understand the difficulties you face and work out a plan that suits your needs.

Do you diagnose mental health conditions and provide medication?

Clinical Psychologists and Psychotherapists working in mental health are qualified to provide a diagnosis of mental health conditions, however many people find a formulation of the difficulties they face is more helpful in understanding the issues and finding solutions.

Neither Psychologists or Psychotherapists are routinely qualified to prescribe medication. For prescriptions please contact your GP or NHS mental health service.

What is the difference between Psychology, Psychotherapy and Psychiatry?

Psychology is the study of human thoughts & cognitions, emotions and behaviours. Clinical Psychologists study psychological distress and wellbeing, this includes studying mental health conditions but extends to any emotions, behaviours or any thoughts or beliefs that causes distress as well as studying how to reduce that distress. Training in clinical psychology is a doctorate and is of a similar length to becoming a medical doctor but it is not focused on medicine and does not qualify psychologists to prescribe medication. Clinical Psychologists are qualified and have experience in providing psychotherapy and psychological therapies, though some may focus on academic work, training or developing health services.

Psychiatry is the medical discipline that deals with mental health. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in the diagnose of mental illness and they advise and prescribe medication. They occasionally provide psychotherapy following additional training.

Psychotherapy is the process of working with someone to reduce distress and promote wellbeing. There are several different evidence based approaches to psychotherapy. Psychotherapists are health and care professionals, often nurses, social workers or occupational therapists as well as psychologists and psychiatrists, who have done additional training in psychotherapy. When looking for a psychotherapist we recommend that the psychotherapy training should be at a post-graduate degree level and that the therapist should be experienced in working with the issues you face.

Contact Us

Our main offices are in Carlisle at:

13 Earl Street
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA1 1DP

Email: enquiries@psychologycumbria.co.uk

We also have clinicians who see clients in Penrith, Wigton & Ivegill in Cumbria