What is
psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a talking therapy that provides a safe, collaborative space to explore thoughts, emotions and experiences. By bringing unconscious patterns into awareness, it helps reduce distress, transform unhelpful behaviours, and support emotional growth. At its core, it fosters reflection, insight and skills to enhance wellbeing and relationships.
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How can psychotherapy help me?
Psychotherapy goes beyond conversation, helping you make sense of painful experiences, break unhelpful patterns and uncover your inner strengths. It offers a path toward growth and healing, supporting self-acceptance, improved relationships and lasting positive change.
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How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?
A strong therapeutic relationship - feeling understood, supported and able to be yourself - is key to effective therapy. An initial consultation lets you ask questions, experience my approach, and see if it feels like the right fit. Choosing a therapist is about finding someone whose style and values align with your needs.
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Is it normal to feel nervous before starting therapy?
It’s normal to feel anxious about beginning therapy. We will move at a pace that feels safe for you. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting - simply taking the first step is enough.
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Do I need to prepare for sessions?
It is not necessary and depends really how you like to approach things. Some people like to reflect or make notes beforehand, while others prefer to arrive and see what comes up in the moment. There is no right or wrong way.
What can I talk about in psychotherapy?
Anything. The therapy room is a safe, non-judgmental and non-shaming space. You may bring more than one concern, and together we can prioritise what feels most important.​​
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Will you give me
advice?
No. The role of psychotherapy is to enable you to explore your experiences, gain new perspectives and find explanations or solutions yourself. I will support you to make your own choices and changes.​
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Have you been in therapy yourself?
Yes. I have used therapy at various times in my life for both personal support and professional development. I continue to do so, as I believe it is essential for my growth and to ensure I can offer the best to my clients.
How will I know if therapy is working?
You may start to have greater clarity about your thoughts and feelings, experience shifts in your mood, or begin responding to situations differently. We will check in regularly about how things are going.
How long will therapy
last?
It depends entirely on your needs and goals. Some people find short-term therapy useful for working through a particular concern, while others value longer-term therapy for deeper exploration and lasting change. You will never be obliged to continue beyond what feels right for you.
How is therapy different from talking to friends or family?
A therapist is trained to provide a confidential, unbiased space focused entirely on you, using proven tools to help you work through challenges. Friends and family offer care and support but therapy adds structure, objectivity and guidance.
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What if I need urgent
support?
Alma Psychotherapy does not operate an out of hours service. In an emergency, please call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department. You can also contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time of the day or night.
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