FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS….

WHAT IS THE COST?

My session rate is £80 with some concessionary spaces available in daytime slots (see below).

DO YOU offer CONCESSIONARY PLACES?

Yes. I have a limited number of concessionary places available for students or those on low incomes, usually in off-peak hours. These are presently all full, but do get in touch to ask for any updates.

DO YOU TAKE CLIENTS WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?

Yes. I am presently recognised by Aviva, AXA Health and Vitality Health.

CAN I COME FOR A ONE-OFF SESSION TO ‘TRY IT OUT’?

You certainly can, and some people benefit from ‘trying out’ several therapists to find who may be the most suitable for them. Subject to availability I offer a 25% discount on introductory sessions, at £60.

 I’m nervous about having counselling for the first time.

That’s natural. Most people come to therapy with a mixture of nerves and excitement: nervous about what it’s (and I’m) going to be like, but often a bit excited to have the opportunity to talk about things in a different way, perhaps for the first time.

Around half of all the people who come to me have never been to a therapist before.

I’ll do my best to make your first visit as comfortable as possible. But however you feel is welcome.

I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF THERAPY MEAN.

Few people do - that’s fine. It doesn’t matter very much: you’ll either sense that a therapist is right for you or they’re not.

I’m an integrative therapist which means that I’m interested in helping you integrate all the different aspects of your experience (your thoughts, body, emotions and behaviour) so that they can be working in harmony with you rather than against each other.

WHEre DO YOU SEE PEOPLE?

I have availability in Finsbury Park (12 mins walk from Finsbury Park and 2 mins from Crouch Hill). See map on Location page.

I DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH THERAPY I’LL NEED.

That’s absolutely fine: how much you need or want will likely depend on how you feel our work is progressing. What I normally suggest, once we’ve agreed to work together following an initial session, is that we book a set number of sessions (perhaps 6), and then a couple of weeks before these end we can discuss whether you’ll wish to carry on for a more extended time.

DOES THERAPY HAVE TO BE WEEKLY?

I strongly recommend it being so, as doing occasional sessions or working to a fortnightly routine can make it harder for the work to find a momentum that will best facilitate change. I can, however, occasionally offer a fortnightly arrangement, subject to availability.

HOW DO I ARRANGE TO SEE YOU?

If you’d like to arrange an initial session, then you can email me on benetcattytherapy@gmail.com or phone me on 07801 099 305. I shall reply within 24 hours, usually much quicker. We will then try to fix a time for a 50-minute session in which we can discuss why you are seeking therapy, I can tell you a bit about how I work, and we can consider whether or not we’re a good match. If not, I can sometimes suggest other avenues to explore.

I’M NERVOUS ABOUT GETTING UPSET OR ANGRY IN THERAPY.

Many people who consider coming to therapy have experience of some emotions being overwhelming or embarrassing, perhaps with people close to them finding these emotions unacceptable. Therapy is a different experience. Being distressed or angry, confused or ashamed, embarrassed or uncomfortable is completely allowed and entirely welcome. There are no bad emotions; there are just your emotions. I will never try to make you feel anything you don’t feel, but if and when you do, I’ll be there with you.

DO YOU offer ONLINE THERAPY as an alternative to face-to-face?

Yes. The decision to attend therapy face-to-face is an individual decision, and I try to be as flexible as I can for those who want to see me in person but are aware that there may be the need, for instance, to self-isolate at times. I also see a number of clients who live a distance away from my consulting rooms (or don’t live in London) but who wish to have therapy with me entirely online. I am happy to discuss this option with you if this feels the most suitable for your situation.

DO YOU OFFER COUNSELLING FOR COUPLES OR UNDER-18S?

No, I’m afraid not. But many specialists in those fields can be found via www.psychotherapy.org.uk, www.bacp.co.uk, www.counselling-directory.org.uk, www.psychologytoday.com and other popular search engines.