Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment?

Please feel free to click our contact button, call us directly at 07944 112333 or send an email to admin@harrisonpsychologygroup.com to schedule an appointment and/or ask any questions you might have. Appointments can also be arranged directly with your GP, consultant psychiatrist, health care professional or employer. If you have private health insurance, authorisation will be obtained from your provider. 

Can I speak to my therapist prior to our first meeting?

Yes, you are welcome to speak to the therapist before your initial consultation and ask any questions you might have. You are also welcome to email for information. 

What can I expect in the first session?

Sessions for individual therapy are typically 50 minutes long while those for couples therapy tend to be 90 minutes in length. The first session gives you the opportunity to freely express your concerns and struggles as well as the things you would like to achieve by coming to therapy. Working in collaboration, you will receive feedback from the therapist that helps makes sense of your difficult experiences. You may also be informed about the practical steps that can be taken in order to help you recover from your difficulties.

In this session you will also get a general feel for how you and your therapist fit together and whether or not you like their approach. If you find it helpful and the match feels right you can come up with a plan together with your therapist and schedule further appointments at your discretion.

What kind of therapy will I be getting?

In clinical work, our clinicians combine multiple types of evidenced based practices, third wave therapies as well as psychodynamic therapies accordingly. The specific type of therapy you will receive will depend on what works best for you as a person and what type of therapy is clinically indicated for your particular issue. You can read more about the types of therapies we use by clicking on the button below.

What does ‘Evidence Based Practice’ mean?

There are many different types of therapies out there. Our therapists provide therapies that are ‘evidenced based,’ meaning that sound clinical research has demonstrated that our therapies are an effective way to treat a given problem. Certain types of evidence based therapies are shown to be particularly good for certain types of struggles. For example, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is very effective therapy for the treatment of panic disorder while CFT (Compassion Focussed Therapy) is very effective for low confidence. We always try to be mindful of which treatments work best for the given situation and we work to stay on top of the newest research.

What are ‘Third Wave Therapies’?

Third Wave Therapies describe the newest therapeutic approaches which are intended to expand and build on older, more traditional forms of therapy. While Third Wave Therapies address cognitions, behaviours and symptom reduction they additionally propose a more holistic approach by addressing all aspects of a person’s life struggles. Healing is viewed as an ongoing process rather than the search for a cure to a dysfunction. As such, acceptance, compassion, mindfulness, personal values, meaning and spirituality are often incorporated into therapy. Third Wave Therapies are also supported by research as being effective for the treatment of multiple issues.

How many sessions will it take to get better?

This varies from person to person depending on your specific struggles, the type of therapy that you receive and what you're looking to get out of therapy altogether. Most clients typically achieve their therapeutic goals within 12-22 sessions while others may require longer term, ongoing therapy. Clients who have a very specific issue to focus on may finish in 3-5 sessions. Your specific needs will be addressed in the first session and throughout therapy as needed.   

Is my session confidential? 

In accordance with the ethical codes of conduct of the HCPC, all sessions are entirely confidential and nothing goes beyond the walls of the consultation office. You may provide informed consent for your clinical information to be shared with your GP, Consultant Psychiatrist, health care provider, friends or family members but this is entirely up to you. 

The only time that your confidentiality would potentially be breached is if you were seen to pose an immediate threat to yourself or others (e.g., actively suicidal) or if your clinical notes were subpoenaed by a court of law. Even in such circumstances, however, initial attempts to secure help for you with your permission will be definitely be made.  

Are your therapists qualified?

Our clinicians are fully qualified Clinical and Counselling Psychologists, recognised in the United Kingdom by the Health & Care Professions Council and the British Psychological Society. Many also have additional qualifications and routinely update their knowledge base by attending monthly supervision, workshop trainings and additional specialised training.

Can your therapists prescribe medication?

Our psychologists do not directly prescribe medication but are well informed on the option. If you are interested in taking medication for your mental health, this can be discussed in great detail in therapy. If you believe medication is a viable option for you, a  referral for a trusted Consultant Psychiatrist will be provided for you alongside psychological therapy. 

Can I speak to my therapist in a crisis? 

It's understandable that you might face some intense difficulty between sessions. Our psychologists will consult with you via phone or email if needed and if possible. It's important to note, however, that our therapists do not provide acute psychological treatment and are not always available for immediate consultation. In the event that you might have an immediate emergency please contact emergency medical services (999), go to your nearest A&E or speak to your GP.

Do you offer discounts? 

We do accept a limited handful of clients for a reduced fee, dependent on income. You may be asked to provide proof of your income to determine eligibility. These slots tend to be booked in advance and you may be placed on a waiting list for the next available slot to open.  Please contact us for details and availability. 

Do you offer therapy for children or adolescents? 

Some of our Clinical Psychologists have specialised training and do work with minors. If you have a child or adolescent who is younger than 18 they will paired with the appropriate therapist.

How do I pay for my sessions?

Payment for therapy is required within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment. After you have been seen for therapy you will receive an invoice via email, requesting payment for your session. Prompt payment is appreciated. If you do not pay for your session within 48 hours you will receive reminders or be asked to contact us to make payment arrangements. If your balance remains unpaid for 30 days or more we will apply a late fee of £35 to your outstanding balance. This fee will continue to be applied every 30 days of non-payment.

Can I use my health insurance?

Yes, you can use your private insurance to pay for your therapy. Our psychologists are recognised by most major private insurance carriers including Bupa, Axa, PruHealth, Cigna, Aviva, Healix, WPA, Vitality and Standard Life.

If you would like to pay using your private insurance, you will first need to obtain authorisation for treatment from your insurance provider. Please note that some insurance companies may require that you have a one time consultation with your GP or a psychiatrist prior to beginning psychological therapy. If required, we can provide a referral for a Consultant Psychiatrist for you. Following this, we will directly invoice your insurance company for your treatment. Please note that your insurance policy may have an insurance excess, member contribution or cost share that you will need to pay directly.

Do I have to pay if I don't attend? 

We understand that you will sometimes need to cancel or reschedule your appointments. Please provide us with as much notice as possible. We maintain a 48 hour cancellation policy. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged in full. We maintain this policy because those slots are specifically held for a given client and without sufficient notice it becomes very difficult to fill that time slot.

We do understand that life is unpredictable and things happen. In such cases, attempts will be make to re-schedule your appointed within the same week at your usual charge. It is important to note, however, that rescheduling is subject to appointment availability and may not always be possible. 

Please contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation.

Email. admin@harrisonpsychologygroup.com
Phone. 07944 112333