counselling psychology/ psychotherapy
provided by...dr. victoria galbraith
therapeutic contract
Psychology is a combination of science and practice. Psychologists are interested in how people act, react and interact as individuals and in groups. Many of the problems faced by the modern world are rooted in human behaviour, so psychological knowledge can help us to find solutions. Counselling Psychology is the application of psychological knowledge to counselling practice and it can offer individuals a place to explore difficulties they are having in their personal life. A Counselling Psychologist is trained neither to judge nor advise you, but to explore and unlock your feelings, which may have been hidden for years. Past and present relationships will be talked about as well as your relationship with the Psychologist. It may well be upsetting but it should help you to understand more about yourself.
People can find psychological therapy helpful for a host of different reasons, from a need for personal growth and development to assistance with personal problems. Some find that psychological therapy is useful when they are faced with difficult stages or transitions in their normal life cycle. Transitions may include career changes, relationship breakdown, children flying the nest, or retirement. Other people pursue psychological therapy to help alleviate distress, whether from pressures of living or through long-standing problems that have proved resistant to change. Indeed, individuals may choose psychological therapy for difficulties such as sexuality issues, fertility issues, identity issues, trauma (either recent or from the past), eating disorders, phobias, and many more. Others may choose psychological therapy because their life lacks direction or because their life makes no sense. Counselling Psychologists are trained in modern psychological methods to help individuals resolve fears, panics and anxieties, and to help them break through depression or other forms of sadness.
Personal
problems can have a way of
taking over your life.
You might find yourself repeating the same old pattern, or you might
feel stuck
and uncertain about whether it will be possible for you to change the
way that
you feel. Sometimes having a professional psychologist to talk to is
the first
step along the road to helping yourself.
The following
information outlines important agreements regarding entering into
therapy:
Appointments:
Clients are given a specific appointment time and will be seen within 5 minutes of that time. Initial Consultation appointments last approx 90-minutes and ongoing therapy sessions last 1-hour. The frequency of sessions will be agreed between the client as is appropriate to the client’s requirements but is normally weekly for a minimum period of six weeks. evening and weekend appointments are available.
Confidentiality: All information is held strictly confidential unless prior written approval is obtained. The only exceptions to this are circumstances where I believe that you might harm yourself, or where actual harm could come to a person or place, which can include a communicable disease that can be life-threatening to others. In these cases, I have an ethical and legal obligation to report relevant information to the appropriate authorities. I also undertake clinical supervision which means that I will discuss your case with a colleague. However, within these discussions, your information, e.g. name and address, will be anonymised so that you are not identifiable.
Ethics: I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist which means that I abide by the Professional Code of Conduct of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Therefore, you have every right to expect that I will conduct myself professionally, responsibly and according to the ethical laws, regulations, and code of conduct of the BPS, of which I am a full professional member.
A Final Thought:
Therapy is an investment in you. For it to be most effective it requires a 100% commitment, personal integrity and responsibility. Remember that the first step is actually attempting to seek psychological assistance in the first place and if you are reading this leaflet it sounds as though you are already beginning that process, so Well Done!
If
you have any questions or concerns
regarding these
statements, I will be glad to discuss them with you.
