It’s important to take time to find the right private psychotherapist for you. I hope these FAQs will answer some of your questions you are likely to have about working with me. If you’d like to ask anything else, please do contact me.
Psychotherapy FAQs
Can you do online psychotherapy sessions via video?
Yes, all my session are currently online. This a very popular and flexible option for many of my clients who are based in the UK, Europe and globally. I do have occasional use of consulting rooms in Manchester and Cheshire, though please note currently all my sessions are online.
How do I know if you’re the right private psychotherapist for me?
The initial session is for us to discuss the main issues you are facing, ask me any further questions and establish whether I am the right private psychotherapist for you. You can read on to find out more about how I work and read about me and my therapeutic approach here.
How do I arrange an initial session?
You can email me on zoe@zoeross.com to set up a time. Please include brief details and some suitable times you are free for sessions. Please note, I have a fairly full clinic and do usually have a waiting list of at least a couple of weeks for a first session.
Who do you work with and how can you support me?
I specialise in working with busy, successful professionals who are struggling with anxiety, the impact of trauma, and recovery from sexual abuse and narcissistic abuse. Though I also work with adults and young people who are experiencing a wide range of psychological issues.
How long is each psychotherapy session?
Each session lasts for an hour, rather than the usual 50 minutes offered by some counsellors. This gives us greater flexibility and ensures you are getting the support you need. The sessions usually take place at a regular, agreed time slot each week. By agreement, sometimes sessions may last for a longer time depending on what we are working on and some clients may choose to have twice-weekly sessions, especially at the start of therapy or if addressing very difficult and distressing issues.
How many psychotherapy sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you need depends on many factors, including the difficulties you are experiencing, the intensity and severity of those and how long you have had them for, your motivation to change and whether you are able and willing to carry out practice between sessions. Usually, clients have between 8 and 20 counselling sessions, though some clients choose to continue working with me for longer, especially if they are seeking long-term, lasting change.
I do understand and respect that psychotherapy comes at a financial and time cost and I pride myself on ensuring my clients find our sessions very good value for money and consider our sessions a very good use of time. Please be assured that it is not in my interests, nor would it be ethical, for me to advise you to continue therapy longer than helpful. I will always be honest with you and review things regularly with you to enable you to make the right decisions for you.
What happens in psychotherapy sessions?
Initial assessment consultation
I offer a reduced cost initial assessment consultation to explore your issues, discuss important background information, my recommended initial approach and suggested number of sessions to start. This allows us to ensure I am the right psychotherapist for you and there is no obligation to continue if you decide not to. If you do wish to begin, we decide a day and time for our sessions that works for us both and we can start working together.
Counselling sessions
Our sessions are usually weekly, hour long sessions at the same time each week. Currently, all my sessions take place online. I do work with some clients on a twice-weekly basis, particularly at the beginning of our work together if they are struggling with acute symptoms. We review our work together regularly to ensure it is meeting your needs and adjusting the approach and session commitment as needed.
Do I have to attend weekly?
It is relatively important, especially initially, that you attend therapy each week to ensure you get the most out of it and make the progress you want in the shortest time possible. Some people do prefer fortnightly, however in this case you need to accept it will take longer to make progress.
Fee FAQs
What are your private psychotherapy session fees?
Each psychotherapy session costs £95, other than the initial consultation session which is £85. Payment is made in advance of each session by bank transfer. You may wish to take advantage of the discounted block booking fee of 8 sessions for £680 (£85 per session).
Can my employer pay for my sessions?
If your employer wishes to pay for your sessions, they can contact me to arrange this. I will require confirmation from the HR department, and will need payment to be made prior to your first appointment.
What happens if I miss a session?
As the agreed time slot is reserved for you each week, unfortunately any missed sessions without 48 hours’ notice are payable in full.
What if I have to rearrange a session?
As the agreed time slot is reserved for you each week, it is not usually possible to rearrange a session for you at a different time in the same week. However, as long as you give 48 hours’ (1 days’) notice you can cancel your weekly session and gain a credit for the following week. Unfortunately, if you do not give 48 hours’ notice, it will not be possible to offer you a credit and this will be classed as a missed session. If you cancel twice in a row, it will be assumed that you wish to stop therapy and your time slot will be allocated to someone else.
Other FAQs
What type of psychotherapy will we be doing?
Each client I work with is a unique person and I carefully tailor the most suitable therapeutic approaches to each client to ensure I support you in the best way possible way. This is no ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ and I am trained in a number of different evidence-based psychological approaches. I draw on these to address each of my client’s individual needs. You may like to read more about me, my qualifications and my therapeutic approach.
Are there issues you don’t offer psychotherapy for?
As a private psychotherapist, I work with people who have a wide range of mental health concerns and illnesses. However, as I specialise in working with people recovering from sexual abuse, narcissistic abuse and other types of significant relational trauma, I don’t work with people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder or those who have abused others in any way.
I also tend not to work with people who have been diagnosed with psychotic mental disorders such as schizophrenia. This is simply because it is not my area of expertise and it is important you work with specially trained clinicians to get the correct treatment to support you.
