Questions and Fees

Using the contact page on the website

By phone, WhatsApp messenger, or text: 07503 704482

By email: hello@lyndabritchford.com

I have a standard cancellation policy – cancellations with at least 24hrs notice will not be charged. Eg, if your appointment is at 3pm Wednesday, please cancel by 3pm Tuesday.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice will be charged at the normal rate.
If we are able to reschedule your appointment at a mutually agreeable day and time within the same calendar week, no additional fee will be necessary.

Please be aware that while I will try and accommodate this if I can, it is unlikely due to other client appointments. If I am unable to reschedule with less than 24hrs notice, I will ask for the full fee to be paid. Your therapy session is a space that is reserved for you. If you dont attend, I will have still prepared for your session and will use the time to hold you in mind, and reflect upon your therapeutic process and journey.

There is no simple answer to this, though its a commonly asked question. Some people find a short course of therapy (6-12 weeks) is enough to resolve whatever is troubling them. Other people benefit from, and choose, long term therapy. This is something we will check out together and is dependent on what you feel you need. I see many clients long term if that is what they choose. You are free to end therapy whenever you would like.

We will talk about whatever you want to. The therapy session is guided by you, and what you bring to therapy. (I won't ever tell you what to talk about or set the agenda). Sometimes it takes a while for people to build up to talking about what is troubling them, and thats okay, its normal.

Often people will talk about more minor difficulties, whilst building up the trust and relationship to talk about the more private stuff troubling them. Sometimes people also sit quietly for periods in therapy, and thats okay too. The time is yours, however you would like to use it.

Yes, everything you talk about in the therapy room is confidential. The only time this changes is:

If you disclose that you will cause serious harm to yourself or to another person.

If I/we believe a child or protected adult is at risk of harm or abuse.

If the courts instruct me to give information.

If you share information about a proposed act of terrorism or other illegal act.

I am also required by my professional bodies (NCS, UKCP), to have clinical supervision, where cases are discussed. I will not use any details which could identify you.  

You can find out more about privacy and my website privacy and cookies here.

If you come for therapy, you will also be given information about how your privacy is protected by me.  If you have further questions or concerns about confidentiality, please do get in touch.

I am pretty flexible and offer both daytime, and early evening sessions - we will arrange sessions to suit your schedule.  

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances happen, and we are late, it happens to us all. However it is important to plan so that you get the most out of your session, by arriving on time.

I will always need to close the session at the allotted time, as there may be other clients booked in after your session. If you are late arriving, I will contact you 10 minutes after the start of your session to enquire after your wellbeing.

To gain the most benefit from counselling, it is usually recommended to have weekly sessions. Sometimes as counselling progresses towards the end of our time together, we can agree to reduce sessions to fortnightly, as part of a planned closure.

Some people find hourly sessions aren't long enough for varying reasons, and prefer longer sessions fortnightly. This is something we can explore together if you think this would be preferable to you.

Ultimately, this is your time and your therapy, and we will explore what works best for you, to get the most from your therapy.

Not at all. People come to counselling for all sorts of reasons, including just generally feeling a bit 'lost' and unsure of themselves, or a bit 'flat' and low in mood.

If its important enough to you, that you feel you need support - then counselling may help.

Is there something specific troubling you which you don’t feel able to get support from friends or family for? Are you feeling low, lost, or that you don’t have a sense of purpose in life? You know something feels wrong, but cant put your finger on what it is?

The joy of therapy is that it gives YOU time for YOU. Time where you can explore whats going on for you, in a space that is calm, kind and non judgemental – and most of all, confidential.

What you say in therapy, stays in therapy. You have the freedom to express yourself without worrying about the feelings of friends or relatives, and the space to explore your thoughts, feelings and needs, whilst really being heard.

People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, including just generally feeling a bit ‘lost’ and unsure of themselves, or a bit ‘flat’ and low in mood. If its important enough to you, that you feel you need support – then therapy is likely to help.

It doesn't have to be a big traumatic event, or major depression or anxiety. Sometimes people just need some space to figure out what they want and where they are headed in life.

This question isn't often directly asked, but I sense it can be an anxiety you might have when starting therapy.  I can reassure you that while people who attend therapy may sometimes feel that they are going crazy, I will not make that judgement of you.

If you find that the therapy isn't helpful to you, either because of the style of therapy, or mix of personalities, you are free to end therapy whenever you wish. All I ask is that you give me notice, so that we can end the therapy positively, and I can signpost you to other support services if you would like them.

I have a good network of therapy colleagues who specialise in different areas, and I will be happy to support you to find the right therapist for you. It is important to me, that your experience of therapy is a positive one which meets your individual needs.

At the moment, I work with people over the age of 18yrs.

However I have a network of appropriately qualified colleagues who work with children, and I will be happy to connect you with them if necessary.

It helps most people if this is the case – it gives consistency and reliability, which most people prefer. However if for example you are a shift worker, or have lots of commitments, we can discuss working around those to meet your needs.

I cant answer that one easily - it depends on the individual, and the difficulties they are experiencing. So this is something that will be discussed with each client on an individual basis - we can talk about this at the start of your counselling and agree a plan.

Some people find a short course of 6-12 sessions is enough, others benefit from long term or open ended counselling.

If you have worries or a question about diversity, inclusivity, and your needs - or my values, please do get in touch here.  I am happy to have a conversation with you, and hear your concerns or experiences.

If you have a question which isn't answered here, I hope you feel able to make contact with me, and I will respond within 48hrs.  You can connect with me here.