Starting Online Therapy - What to Expect

Online therapy is therapy delivered over the internet using a video platform. In my practice, all sessions take place via Google Meet, which is free to use and does not require you to download any software. You access the session through a link I send you by email. The therapy itself is the same as what you would receive in a consulting room. The difference is the medium. You are in your own space, I am in mine, and we connect through a screen. The relationship, the depth, the process - none of that changes because we are online. I work exclusively online because it removes barriers to access. You do not need to live near me, travel to appointments, take extra time off work, or worry about being seen entering a therapy practice. You can attend from anywhere in the UK - your living room, your car, a quiet room at work, wherever feels safe and private enough. Online therapy is not a lesser version of therapy. It is therapy delivered in a way that works for how people live now. For many of the people I work with - particularly those who have experienced abuse, control, or institutional harm - the ability to access support from a private, controlled environment is not just convenient. It is essential.

Sessions are 50 minutes long, held weekly at an agreed time. Consistency matters in therapy - it creates a reliable space that you can depend on, which is particularly important if your experiences have involved unpredictability or instability. Here is what a typical session looks like: Before the session, I send a Google Meet link to your email. At the agreed time, you click the link and we connect by video. There is no waiting room, no receptionist, and no travel time. You simply open the link and we begin. During the session, we talk. What we talk about depends on where you are in your process. In early sessions, we may be getting to know each other, building trust, and understanding what brings you to therapy. In later sessions, we may be working with deeper material - patterns, relationships, emotions, memories. Some sessions feel intense. Some feel quieter. Both are part of the work. At the end of the session, we close together. I am mindful that you are returning immediately to your own environment, so I make sure we do not leave difficult material uncontained. If something significant has come up, we will acknowledge it and find a way to hold it before we end. Between sessions, contact is limited to scheduling and logistics. This is a professional boundary that protects the therapeutic space. It means that when we are in session together, that time is fully yours.

The first session is different from ongoing sessions. It is an initial assessment, which lasts up to 90 minutes and costs GBP 90. The purpose of the assessment is for us to get to know each other and to explore what is bringing you to therapy. I will ask about your personal history, your family background, your current situation, and what you are hoping to get from the work. I will also carry out a risk assessment, which is a standard part of ethical therapeutic practice. This is not an interrogation. You share what you are comfortable sharing. If there are things you are not ready to talk about yet, that is completely fine. The assessment is a conversation, not a checklist. By the end of the assessment, we should both have a clearer picture of whether we are a good fit and what the therapy might focus on. There is no obligation to continue. If you decide it is not right for you, or if I feel that a different therapist or type of support would be more appropriate, we will discuss that openly. If we agree to work together, we move to weekly sessions of 50 minutes at GBP 70 per session, paid by bank transfer.

Before the assessment, I offer a free introductory call of approximately 15 minutes. This is a chance for you to ask any questions, get a sense of who I am, and decide whether you want to take the next step. It is not therapy - it is a conversation. Many people find this call helpful because starting therapy feels like a big commitment, and speaking to someone briefly beforehand can reduce some of the anxiety. You do not need to prepare anything specific. You do not need to know exactly what you want to work on. You just need to be willing to have a conversation. You can book an introductory call through my contact page.

There is no perfect way to prepare, but a few practical things can help: Find a private space where you will not be overheard or interrupted. This does not need to be an entire room to yourself - a pair of headphones and a closed door can be enough. What matters is that you feel safe enough to speak honestly. Check your internet connection beforehand. Google Meet works on most devices and browsers, but a stable connection makes a difference. If your internet drops during a session, do not panic - we reconnect or, as a backup, switch to a phone call. Try to give yourself a few minutes either side of the session. Arriving flustered from something else makes it harder to settle in, and jumping straight into another activity afterwards does not give you space to process what came up. Beyond the practical, the most important preparation is simply being willing to show up. You do not need to have your thoughts organised, your story rehearsed, or your emotions under control. Therapy is the place where you get to be exactly as you are.

Research consistently shows that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy for a wide range of issues. Studies have found comparable outcomes for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and relational difficulties. The therapeutic relationship - which is the strongest predictor of positive outcomes in therapy - develops just as well online as it does in person. There are also specific advantages. Online therapy is more accessible, reduces practical barriers, and allows people to attend from environments where they feel safe. For people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or control, being in a familiar space can actually support the therapeutic process rather than hinder it. That said, online therapy is not for everyone. If you do not have access to a private space, if you find screens draining or disconnecting, or if you have a strong preference for being in the same room as your therapist, it may not be the best fit. These are not failures - they are preferences, and they matter. If you are unsure, the free introductory call is a good opportunity to experience what it feels like to connect with me online before committing to anything.

I work with adults (18+) across the UK. My areas of specialism include coercive control, stalking, gender-based violence, institutional betrayal, workplace harm, trauma, stress, and burnout. Online therapy can work well for you if you have a private space to attend from, a stable internet connection, and the ability to engage in conversation by video. It is also well suited to people who travel frequently, live in areas with limited local therapist availability, have caring responsibilities that make travel difficult, or simply prefer the flexibility of attending from home. I work with both men and women. I work in English only. While I speak five languages, which gives me a broader cultural awareness, all therapy sessions are conducted in English.

Online therapy may not be the right fit if you are in active crisis and need immediate intervention - in that case, please contact emergency services or the Samaritans (116 123). It is also not suitable if you are looking for couples therapy, family therapy, or work with children, as I offer individual therapy only. I do not work with active addiction or substance misuse as a primary presenting issue, active psychosis, or severe mental illness requiring psychiatric input. I do not provide diagnosis, prescribe medication, or carry out forensic assessments. These are boundaries of my practice, not judgments about your situation. If I feel that a different type of support would be more appropriate for you, I will tell you honestly and, where possible, point you in the right direction. This is part of working ethically and responsibly.

My fees are straightforward: - Free introductory call: approximately 15 minutes

• Initial assessment: GBP 90 (up to 90 minutes)
• Ongoing sessions: GBP 70 (50 minutes) Payment is by bank transfer. I do not currently accept insurance. Sessions are available Wednesday to Friday mornings and Monday to Friday evenings. Once we agree a regular time, that slot is held for you each week. To get started, book a free introductory call through my contact page. From there, we can arrange your initial assessment and, if we are a good fit, begin working together.