Online therapy offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to access professional support from anywhere. It can be an effective way to manage personal challenges and improve mental health, tailored to fit your schedule and lifestyle.

However, I can offer face to face therapy which many clients prefer.

Finding the right therapist is a key step towards successful therapy. At Chalk Stream Psychotherapy, we focus on matching your specific needs with our therapist’s expertise, ensuring a supportive and understanding environment to foster your personal growth.

Yes absolutely it is.  Please see below.

1. BACP Registration

As a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) I abide by their ethical framework:

https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/our-commitment-to-clients/

Everything you say is kept confidential and you will be given a signed Counselling agreement when commencing therapy; outlining the boundaries we maintain

For more information visit: https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/confidentiality/

    2. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

CSP is a registered member of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). For more information visit: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/

CSP abides by GDPR regulations for client information:

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/

As such CSP has a Client Privacy Notice (which is available on request)

    3. CSP Therapy room

The Therapy room used for all face-to-face sessions is a private, stand-alone dedicated room providing a safe uninterrupted place to share your thoughts and concerns.  It is wheel chair accessible, with private parking for wheel chair users.

There is a toilet facility and provision for refreshments (see photos on “where is the Therapy room”

Absolutely you can. I have undergone the following checks:

1. DBS Clearance

I have an Enhanced Certificate which is suitable for people working with children or adults in certain circumstances such as those in receipt of healthcare or personal care. 

For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about

2.   National Security Vetting

In addition I have SC (Security Check) Clearance vetting and also DV Level Clearance vetting. Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is the highest level of security clearance in the UK and is required for jobs that involve unsupervised access to sensitive government information.

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Although such clearance is not required for my role as a psychotherapist, it demonstrates the high levels of trust and integrity you can have in me. 

Yes I am registered with the BACP

Registered membership is the main category for practising members, who have demonstrated high standards of proficiency, professionalism and ethical practice. To become a registered member you must have graduated from a BACP accredited course or passed our Certificate of Proficiency. Members need to agree to the Register terms and conditions, demonstrating continued commitment to working professionally and ethically.

For more information visit: https://www.bacp.co.uk/membership/home/

To check whether a Therapist is a member of the BACP follow the link:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Register

Yes. The BACP Ethical Framework commits all BACP members to being “covered by adequate insurance when providing services directly or indirectly to the public” See:

https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

It’s also a requirement of joining the BACP register that you have “adequate, current and ongoing professional indemnity insurance”. Registered members are selected for audit to provide proof that they have this insurance in place.

My fee is £60 per session. However, dependent upon your circumstances, I do provide concessionary rates to some clients. I will ensure that I will cater for your payments methods and their frequency. I accept insurance.

You will receive a document prior to you first session which outlines our counselling agreement e.g. payment terms etc. providing you complete clarity.

Therapy typically involves talking through your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to gain insight and promote psychological wellbeing. Psychiatry might include these therapeutic conversations, but also often involves a medical assessment and the management of mental health with medications. At Chalk Stream Psychotherapy, we specialise in therapeutic conversations that empower you to navigate and overcome your challenges.

There are so many analogies which reflect how the natural progression of a chalk stream can mirror the therapeutic journey, with each feature representing different aspects of the healing process.

1. Stepping Stones and Progress: Just as stepping stones in a chalk stream allow you to cross carefully, one step at a time, therapy helps you navigate challenges gradually. Each stone represents a new insight or coping strategy that supports you in moving forward without becoming overwhelmed by the current of emotions.
2. Different Water Flows and Life Stages: The varying water flows in a chalk stream symbolize different stages of life or levels of trauma. In some parts, the water may be calm and gentle, much like periods of stability in life. In others, it may be turbulent, reflecting times of intense emotional turmoil. Therapy helps you understand and manage these different flows, guiding you safely through the rough waters.
3. Walking in the Water vs. Along the Bank: Choosing to walk directly in the water represents engaging deeply with emotions and experiences in therapy, feeling everything fully. Walking along the bank symbolizes a more observational approach, where you may reflect on your experiences from a distance before diving deeper. Both paths are valid and can be part of the therapeutic process, depending on what feels right for the individual at the time.
4. The Bridge and Therapy Modalities: A bridge over the stream represents different therapeutic modalities, offering a way to quickly and effectively cross difficult emotional terrain. Whether it’s CBT, EMDR, or another method, each modality provides a structured approach to help you move from one side of your journey to the other, bypassing some of the more treacherous waters below.  Or as a child coping with trauma, these bridges can represent the initial coping mechanisms they develop to “bridge” themselves over the traumatic experiences and emotions they are not yet ready to face. 

However, while bridges can provide temporary passage, they are not meant to be permanent destinations. In therapy, the role of the therapist is to help the child cross these bridges safely and then move beyond them, encouraging them to explore the emotions and experiences on the other side.

1. The Clear, Refreshing Nature of Pure Water: The pure, clear water of a chalk stream represents the clarity and renewal that therapy can bring. Just as the stream refreshes the landscape, psychotherapy can cleanse the mind and spirit, helping you see things more clearly and feel rejuvenated.
2. Stream Merging into River and Sea: As the chalk stream flows into a larger river and eventually the sea, this symbolizes personal growth through therapy. Your experiences and understanding expand, allowing you to connect with broader life experiences and potentials. Just as the stream merges into larger bodies of water, your personal insights and healing can lead to deeper connections with others and a greater sense of purpose.
3. Waterfalls: The metaphor of a river waterfall represents significant emotional breakthroughs or moments of deep insight during therapy. Waterfalls are powerful and can seem overwhelming, much like the experience of facing repressed emotions or traumatic memories. When a client allows themselves to “fall” into these experiences, it can feel frightening, as if they are losing control. However, just as a waterfall eventually leads to a calmer river below, these moments of emotional release can lead to clarity, relief, and a deeper sense of self-awareness. In the context of integrating the shadow self, the waterfall symbolises the release of long-held, unconscious coping mechanisms and the acceptance of those shadow aspects into the conscious self. 

By working through these stages, with Chalk Stream Psychotherapy clients are able to transform their relationship with their shadow self, gaining a more integrated and holistic understanding of who they are. The process allows them to move from a place of fragmented coping to a place of coherent healing and self-acceptance.