DENISE ELA MALEY
online Psychotherapy & counselling in high wycombe
therapy online in the uk
Some Frequently Asked Questions...
I’m nervous about starting therapy, is that normal?
When starting therapy, it's very common to feel nervous. It can be difficult to imagine sitting with someone new and feeling comfortable enough to share your thoughts and feelings out loud - the fear around that can feel overwhelming. It takes courage to realise that we can't face our issues alone. Taking steps to seek help for the challenges we face is a huge step in the right direction.
Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and come just as you are, including feeling nervous. I’m committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.
I’m here if you want to talk about it during a free phone consultation.
How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
Take your time to read through my website. If you sense that I may be a good fit based on what you are reading, you can email me.
During a free phone consultation, you can ask me questions about my approach, what a typical session with me is like, or any other questions you may have that are specific-to-you.
During an initial session following this call, you’ll be able to gauge how comfortable you feel in sessions as we start to explore the issues at hand. My approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important to me is that you find someone who you feel is the right fit for you. We can explore that together.
What if I don't want to talk about something?
If something feels overwhelming or even terrifying to discuss, that's actually very normal. It can often feel difficult to talk about some things.
During our sessions, it will always be up to you if you feel ready to talk about something or not. It’s my job to give you space to slowly start to work through the tough stuff. Gradually and at a pace that feels comfortable to you, you can share what you feel ready to share.
You can also share with me that you are nervous to open up about something and we can talk about that too. Your feelings are welcome as are your feelings about how you feel. I'm here to help you with whatever is going on for you.
I’m scared that if I open up, you will think I’m too sensitive.
If you open up to me, I will not think you are too sensitive, I will think you are courageous and human. Many of my clients have had the same fear (that people would think they are too sensitive).It is likely that what you are experiencing is quite common and your responses in some ways understandable.
You're not being dramatic or "too much." Nothing you can say will cause me to judge you.
I know nobody's perfect, many of us are overwhelmed, we all suffer in different ways.
Whatever it is you're going through, I provide a calming space where I respect you and and listen with focus and compassion
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
It can be concerning feeling like things you say or do in therapy could "get out." So, I want you to know that unless there is an imminent danger to yourself or someone else, everything you share with me is completely confidential.
I highly respect your privacy and value your trust.
You can rest assured that you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.
If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works, you can ask during your during a free phone consultation or anytime during our work together.
How long will therapy take?
You might be asking about how long therapy will take because you are seeking relief as soon as possible or you have pressures of time or money to consider.
If this is true for you, I want you to know that on average, my new clients start seeing positive effects after the first It can vary from the initial session to 3-4 sessions depending on your presenting issue(s).
By that point, they feel a little more calm and hopeful that healing is possible.
The total duration of therapy varies from client to client. Some of my clients find on average about 26 weeks for most clients ranging from 12 to ongoing long term therapeutic relationships to be enough to resolve immediate challenges. While other clients feel more supported by longer term therapy.
We will work together to find the length of time that works for you.
What can I expect during the first session?
Overall, you can think of the first session as a little structured to understand your goals, more about the issues you are experiencing and some history taking. I’ll invite you to share more about yourself and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.
Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include:
- What’s present for you in your life right now?
- Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?
- What goals would you like to reach by going to therapy?
You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about my expertise or how future sessions work.
The most important part of a first session is that you see if you feel I’m a good fit for you. If you feel welcomed, heard and at-ease with me, we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.