I would like to find out more about your services and sessions. What do I do next?
Please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will be delighted to book in an initial phone call with one of our team to discuss how we can help. We offer a 15 minute telephone consultation free of charge. This gives us an opportunity to find out what led you to contact us and to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. We can also help you to decide which of our therapists may be the best fit for you before we book in an initial assessment appointment. Please get in touch by email with any questions you may have and ensure to leave your name and contact details.

Alternatively, if you have a specific therapist in mind, you can contact them directly to enquire about availability via their profile on our homepage.

Where is the Amber Practice?
We predominately offer remote practice to enable offering our services to you regardless of your physical location. All you need is an electronic device that has a camera and internet access. We do offer some face to face work, get in touch to find out the specific locations of our clinics.

Is online therapy right for me?
Recent research suggests that online therapy is just as effective as face to face (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-023-00106-z).
The main advantages that online therapy offers include the increased convenience of being able to access talking therapy at a time that works for your work/life schedule, and the ability to meet with a suitable therapist of your choice that is not limited by geographical area. We understand that online therapy is not the right choice for everyone, please get in touch to discuss in person options or talk through any concerns you might have.

How much are the sessions?
A standard individual therapy session is £120. Fees may vary for specialist assessments, couples or family work. Please discuss this in your free consultation telephone call.

I have private medical insurance. Will my fees be covered by this and how do I go about this?
We accept referrals from various private medical insurers such as BUPA, Aviva, Vitality and AXA. Please get in touch to discuss your specific requirements

How long is a therapy session?
A standard therapy session will usually last 50 minutes. This may sometimes vary depending on the aims of a session or the therapy model used and will always be discussed and agreed with you beforehand.

Why do you charge more than other therapists, such as Counsellors or CBT Therapists?
We are a team of highly experienced Clinical Psychologists, we have set our fees in line with professional recommendations, whilst attempting to keep our rates as low as possible. Our professional background means that we have completed extensive and varied training. The Clinical Psychology training pathway requires a first three-year degree in Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society in addition to significant work and research experience to demonstrate readiness before being accepted and completing a three-year Doctorate Programme. We have been trained in a variety of treatment approaches and settings across the lifespan.  All of our clinicans have extensive post-training experience in NHS and private settings. This helps us to draw on more than a single therapy modality and makes it likely that we can support you in an effective person-centred and meaningful way.

What can I expect from my initial assessment appointment?
If appropriate we will suggest that you book an initial assessment appointment with a member of our team. During this appointment, your clinician will aim to explore your current difficulties and hopes for therapy in more depth. We aim to establish a shared understanding of your current situation, clarify your goals, and devise a plan about therapeutic support moving forward.

If we believe that therapy may not be the most helpful next step or that other services are more likely to meet your needs, we will discuss this with you and endeavor to signpost you to alternative options.

How long will therapy take?
After our assessment appointment we will recommend an initial number of therapy sessions, which will be based on national best practice guidelines, your goals and your individual situation, and the therapeutic model. If you decide to go ahead with therapy we will arrange a regular appointment slot with you, which is most likely to be at the same day and time on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. We will review your progress regularly and discuss with you whether we believe therapy needs to be extended or can come to an end.  If you no longer find the therapeutic work helpful, you can end your sessions at any point during treatment. Ultimately, you make the decision how long therapy will last.

Are sessions confidential?
Any information you share with us will be treated in line with our privacy policy (please refer to the privacy section at the bottom of our website). In line with this policy, we will respect your confidentiality and anonymity.  

How will you store my information?
Any information we keep about you will be stored securely. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.

What if there is an emergency between sessions?
As part of our work together, we will discuss and agree on a safety plan. We are unable to provide emergency and/or crisis support outside of our sessions. 
If you find yourself in an acute mental health crisis and are in need of urgent support, please contact your GP, visit your local A&E department or ring NHS 111 and select the mental health option. The latter is a national helpline for Mental Health emergencies that can be contacted 24/7 regardless of your age.   

What if I have a complaint?
Our aim is to provide you with effective, respectful, safe, high quality psychological therapy but we understand that situations may arise where you would like to raise concerns or make a complaint. If this is the case, please email us and someone within our team (not your therapist) will be happy to support you.