Frequently Asked Questions

There are three ways to begin: (1) Book a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether we're a good fit, discuss services, technical aspects, or working with your insurance provider. (2) If you're ready to start, book an Initial Assessment directly this is your first therapeutic session where we'll assess your needs, establish goals, and create a treatment plan together. (3) Book a Single Session Therapy if you're looking for a focused, solution-oriented approach to a specific concern.

The 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure conversation where you can ask questions about my approach, discuss which service might suit you, understand how booking works, explore insurance options, and most importantly get to know me to see if we're a good match. This is not a therapy session but an opportunity to make an informed decision about working together.

Your first therapeutic session (50 minimum minutes, £80) includes a comprehensive mental health and risk assessment, exploration of your difficulties and goals, development of a personalised treatment plan, identification of the most suitable therapeutic approach, and agreement on the structure and expected length of therapy. Prior to this session, I'll send you consent forms, terms and conditions, and privacy policies to review and sign.

That's completely normal! Book a free 15-minute consultation and we can discuss your situation together. I'll help you understand which approach, whether Single Session Therapy, Brief Therapy, or Specialised Treatment might be most helpful for your specific needs. You can also email me at info@doortotherapy.com with questions.

Click the 'Book Now' button on the website, select your preferred service (free consultation, initial assessment, or specific therapy type), choose an available date and time that works for you, fill in your details, and make secure online payment to confirm your appointment. You'll receive a confirmation email with instructions to access the secure therapy portal (Carepatron).

Yes, payment is required in advance to secure your booking. This ensures your time slot is reserved. The only exception is if you're working with insurance. In that case, book a free consultation first to discuss the specific process with your provider, as different arrangements apply.

Free Consultation: £0 (15 minutes) | Initial Assessment: £80 (50 minimum minutes) | Single Session Therapy: £100 (40-90 minutes) | Standard Therapy Programme: £80 per session (50-60 minutes) | Specialised Therapy: £150 per session (50-90 minutes). Additional costs may apply for psychological reports or in-person sessions requiring room rental.

Cancellation and rescheduling policies are outlined in the Terms and Conditions you'll receive before your first session. Generally, reasonable notice is required to reschedule without charge. Please review these carefully or ask during your free consultation if you have specific concerns.

Standard sessions are 50-60 minutes. Single Session Therapy can range from 40-90 minutes depending on your needs. Specialised sessions (EMDR, DBT, Trauma-focused) may be 50-90 minutes depending on the therapeutic modality, for example, EMDR sessions are typically 90 minutes. Duration is agreed during your initial assessment based on what will be most effective for you.

Most sessions are held online via a secure, GDPR-compliant video platform (Carepatron). This provides flexibility, accessibility, and eliminates travel time. In-person sessions can also be arranged when clinically appropriate or for specific therapeutic approaches. Limited availability is offered in North West London (around Queens Park area), with an additional room rental cost. Discuss this during your initial assessment or free consultation.

I use Carepatron, a secure, GDPR-compliant therapy platform designed specifically for healthcare. Once you book, you'll be invited to a private portal where you can manage your sessions, access documents, and attend video appointments. It's user-friendly and works on computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Yes! Therapy is available fully in English or Spanish. As a bilingual psychologist registered in both the UK (HCPC) and Spain (Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid), I understand the nuances of working between languages and cultures. Feel free to discuss your language preference in our first encounter.

There are different pathways depending on your needs. After an Initial Assessment (1-4 sessions), we establish treatment goals, create a plan, and determine the expected timeframe. Standard programmes typically last 4-12 sessions. We can work longer if needed, take 'cooling-off periods' to support your autonomy in healing, change programmes if your needs shift, or work briefly through Single Session approaches for focused issues. I aim to provide as much choice and personalisation as my clinical practice allows while maintaining the highest standards of care.

Both options are available! Single Session Therapy (SST) or 'One-at-a-Time' (OAAT) is designed for focused, solution-oriented work. It's ideal if you're facing a specific challenge, want practical strategies quickly, or prefer flexibility. However, SST may take longer to prepare (requires some pre-session paperwork) and works best for clearly defined goals. After your initial assessment, we'll determine what's most suitable. Many people who've worked with me before prefer the single session/OAAT approach for ongoing support.

Single Session Therapy is intentional, focused work on a specific concern in one session, with the option of additional sessions if needed. Brief & Standard Therapy Programmes are structured 8-18 week courses using CBT, Solution-Focused, or Humanistic approaches for patterns like anxiety, OCD, or relationship difficulties. Specialised Programmes (EMDR, DBT, Trauma-focused) are intensive, evidence-based treatments for complex presentations like trauma or emotion dysregulation, typically requiring more sessions and longer appointment times.

My primary approach is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, but I'm trained in multiple evidence-based methods including CBT, EMDR, Humanistic/Person-Centred approaches, and Brief Strategic Interventions. I don't use one-size-fits-all protocols. Instead, I select the therapeutic approach and techniques that best fit your specific needs and circumstances, doing more with less, while maintaining clinical excellence. This is strategic selection, not integrative therapy. We work sequentially and with a plan, we always have goals and reviews to not get lost in the focus of what we come to therapy for

Yes, I'm recognised by several health insurers including Aviva, Vitality, AXA, and WPA. I also work with Employee Assistance Providers. However, not all treatments can be covered via insurance claims, and some insurers require GP referrals or have specific requirements. If you plan to use insurance, a free consultation first is the best way to do it: we can check what your policy needs before anything is booked, and there is no pre-payment. If you already know what you are covered for, or we have worked together before, you can book directly using the insurance link instead.

How to claim with each insurer, step by step →

Get in touch! Book a free consultation or email me at info@doortotherapy.com. Even if your provider isn't on my current list, I may be able to work with them or provide the documentation you need to submit a claim. Each insurer has different processes, so it's worth exploring your specific situation.

See the providers I am recognised by →

Yes, as an HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologist, I provide comprehensive psychological reports. Standard therapy reports (progress updates, treatment summaries) cost £100-300 depending on complexity (1-3 hours work). Specialised assessments with psychometric testing, formulation, and risk assessment may take 5-20 hours depending on need. Hourly rate is £100. Reports can be requested while in treatment or discussed via free consultation. Note: I'm not a qualified expert witness for medico-legal cases. I can refer you to trusted colleagues for this.

Yes, you'll receive detailed receipts for all sessions which you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement, or use for tax purposes if applicable. All documentation is provided through the secure Carepatron portal.

Yes, I use standardised, evidence-based measures including GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), and WSAS (work and social adjustment) to monitor your progress objectively. This helps us both know that therapy is working and allows us to adjust our approach if needed. These are brief questionnaires you'll complete periodically. They're optional but highly recommended for tracking meaningful change.

Yes, absolutely. Every session includes thoughtful risk assessment to ensure your safety and the suitability of therapy. The Initial Assessment includes a more comprehensive risk assessment covering mental health history, current difficulties, and safety planning. This isn't about gatekeeping, it's about providing responsible, safe care and ensuring I'm the right professional for your needs.

Door to Therapy is designed for therapeutic support, not crisis intervention. If you're experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact your GP, call NHS 111 (UK), go to A&E, or call 999. For ongoing crisis support, contact Samaritans (116 123, available 24/7). During our work together, we'll create a safety plan that includes appropriate crisis resources for your situation.

ADHD and neurodiversity assessments are referred to specialist external services, as these require specific diagnostic expertise and comprehensive evaluation beyond the scope of Door to Therapy. However, I'm more than happy to recommend friendly, trusted services I work with to help you in your journey. Other psychological assessments are available on request, just ask during your free consultation.

The best ways to reach me are: (1) Book a free 15-minute consultation through the website for scheduled time to talk, (2) Email me at info@doortotherapy.com for non-urgent questions or detailed inquiries, (3) Use the Carepatron portal messaging system once you're a client. I typically respond to emails within 48 hours during business days.

I don't normally use phone for initial contact, as written communication via email or scheduled video consultations tends to be more efficient and allows time for thoughtful responses. However, if phone is the only medium you feel comfortable communicating with, just request a call back via email and I'll arrange this. Please note: I call from an anonymous number (No Caller ID) to protect confidentiality.

Technical support is available! If you experience any difficulties accessing the Carepatron platform or joining your video session, you can: (1) Email me before your appointment if you anticipate issues, (2) Clear your browsing history, (3) Try different browser, or Incognito mode. We can also discuss your technical setup during the free consultation to ensure everything works smoothly before your first session. If you have an appointment booked and you are having problems joining, it is likely I will phone you with a No Caller ID to support any technical difficulties, or find alternatives to meet, as I can also use other platforms to set our space online

I specialise in individual therapy and don't offer couples therapy or family therapy sessions. However, I do support people working through relationship difficulties from an individual perspective, helping you understand your patterns, improve communication skills, and navigate interpersonal challenges in your life.

You can work with me with your consent, but we will always develop a safeguarding plan that links with your healthcare system. I usually recommend, on the other hand, choosing a therapist who is based in your country.

You can help someone book an appointment, but the person receiving therapy must consent to treatment and participate in the booking process themselves. Therapy requires voluntary participation and personal commitment. If you're concerned about someone, you might encourage them to book a free consultation or send them information about the services, but they must make the decision to engage.

Therapeutic fit matters enormously. If during our free consultation or initial assessment we discover we're not the right match, whether due to clinical needs, approach preferences, or simply connection, I'll be honest with you and provide recommendations for other services or practitioners who might better suit your needs. Good therapy requires the right relationship, and there's no obligation to continue if it doesn't feel right.