Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychodynamic counselling?
Psychodynamic counselling is a talking treatment in which you will be encouraged to find words for your thoughts and feelings. It means being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for change. This form of treatment requires a commitment and willingness to get in touch with what may be painful feelings. It is a change based therapy, not just exploration. The therapists role is to listen carefully then help you make links between your current situation, your past experiences and your interaction with the therapist in the counselling setting. Elucidation of unconscious patterns of behaviour and defences which profoundly influence current relationships and behaviour enable you to reflect on your experiences, increase your self-awareness, and move forward. Clients discuss their emotional problems and make links with past experience and its impact on current relationships with others. The aim is to help you to find a way through your difficulties, providing emotional support and a safe place to explore and reflect.

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?
CBT works with present day distress and focuses on how the client’s thoughts affect the way they feel. CBT helps the client identify and understand their emotional problems in terms of the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The approach focuses on difficult or unpleasant thoughts and feelings in the here and now. The client and therapist set goals and methods to manage their current symptoms and overcome the problem in the present. Clients are expected to work between sessions trying out new methods of doing things. CBT focuses on the present and is a ‘doing’ and ‘talking’ therapy. Typically what happens in a CBT therapy session is that the therapist discusses with the client what they want to achieve. CBT helps to manage your symptoms using specific techniques. The therapy focuses on a particular aspect of the client’s thoughts, feelings or behaviours, or their beliefs about themselves and the world that they they feel are less than helpful and would like to change. We look at how to change those using formulation in CBT which is a diagrammatic representation of how the clients perceive themselves, the way they operate, their rules, and what is happening in their present day. We then look at how those constructions of their life from past to present actually informs their problem and then collaboratively look at what areas we can intervene on. This involves sitting and talking for 50 mins sessions once weekly, the NHS recommendation is anything up to 18 or 20 although frequently clients have fewer sessions than that, they may have 6 sessions. Once we teach the client how to be their own therapist we might extend that to meet less frequently. So technically 6, 10 sessions although it can go up to 18 20 or on to longer term work.

Why should I choose a counsellor?
You could seek psychotherapy for many different reasons. You may be aware of feelings or aspects of your behaviour which interfere with your capacity to live a satisfying life. You may be severely affected by a personal crisis, such as divorce, redundancy or bereavement. Whatever the source of your unhappiness, psychotherapy implies a wish to think about and understand painful feelings in order for you to achieve a more satisfying resolution.

How can counselling help me?
Psychotherapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of your problems and the experiences that gave rise to them. Psychotherapy takes place in the context of a relationship with a therapist. The aim is for new and better resolution of understanding problems, leading to a greater capacity for satisfaction in relationships, work and social life. The aim is to help and support you discover what is going on in your life and to unravel any repeated patterns of behaviour in relationships. This helps to gain insight and clarity into who you are and gain greater control of your life.

What can I expect?
On receipt of your enquiry you will be given an appointment for an assessment. There is a minimum of one assessment. When you arrive for an assessment, you will be asked to complete some paperwork and a questionnaire. This will greatly help in assessing your needs. The Evaluation process may take longer up to a maximum of six weeks. During the evaluation period you may be referred to a more suitable organisation that better suits your needs. During the evaluation process you will have the opportunity to discuss the day time of your weekly sessions and length of your Counselling Agreement. You need to be able to make a commitment to attend once weekly sessions at a regular time and day. I offer individual therapy once a week for 6, 12, 24 weeks and ongoing.

Is counselling confidential?
The therapy will take place in confidential surroundings in my private practice. Your sessions are confidential and your privacy will be respected. However in accordance with the BACP code of ethics and statutory obligations to protect the safety of others and yourself the counsellor reserves the right to share information with other health professionals involved in your care or the relevant authority. I will discuss confidentiality with you in the first session. If you have any other questions or concerns about confidentiality, please ask your therapist.

What happens if I cannot attend a session?
I will offer you a regular appointment, once a week at a set time and day. The regularity of the sessions is an important part if the psychotherapy process. If you are unable to attend your appointment, it is important to let the therapist know in advance. Two weeks notice must be given for non attendance otherwise all sessions must be paid for regardless of reason for absence.

What are the Fees?
Individual adults £65-£85 (50 mins) weekly sessions
Supervision £70 (50 mins) fortnightly sessions

Groups - MINDFULNESS GROUP WORK (TBC)

Concessions are offered subject to availability.

How can I book an appointment?

For counselling please see contact page...

To book an initial consultation call or email:

Anthea Hollingworth MBACP
Tel: 07933 093 197
Email: info@counsellingclinic.co.uk
Location: Putney LONDON SW15 & Hedge End HAMPSHIRE SO30



For counselling or mindfulness in Putney or Wimbledon, Hedge End, Southampton,SO30, Hampshire please see contact page...

Counselling Putney w/n easy range of Fulham. Yoga & Mindfulness Wimbledon, Putney, London, Hedge End, Botley, Southampton, SO30, Hampshire

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