Question 1

Is online therapy or coaching as effective as face to face?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is... yes it is. A recent study of nearly 40,000 NHS patients has found that delivering therapy via the phone or online was as effective as face to face. There are also many advantages of online therapy including being more convenient, time efficient and flexible. I have been working remotely since 2015 and so I have lots of experience of delivering therapy online effectively.

Question 2

How do I know that you are the right therapist for me?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the right therapist is very important. It's vital that you feel safe, supported and able to talk freely to your therapist. I provide a warm, relaxed and empathetic environment in my sessions and as a result I have lots of great feedback from my clients. Please see my testimonials page for a small selection of feedback from past clients. I also offer a free 15 minute chat before starting sessions so that you can make sure that you feel comfortable talking to me and that I feel like a good fit for you.

Question 3

What is EMDR?

Accepted Answer

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy used to help people heal from traumatic or distressing experiences that may still be affecting them emotionally, mentally, or physically. It uses bi-lateral stimulation in the form of eye movements, sounds or taps that researchers believe mimic the action of REM sleep, helping people to process difficult memories. It is an extremely effective therapy and one that I find particularly useful for people that have suffered any type of trauma in their past. More information about how it works can be found on the EMDR UK website at https://emdrassociation.org.uk/discover-emdr.

Question 4

How can CBT/EMDR help?

Accepted Answer

Both CBT and EMDR are evidence-based therapies that can be highly effective for a wide range of mental health challenges. Everyone’s situation is unique, so I develop a bespoke treatment plan based on your specific goals. Often, I blend CBT and EMDR so that we address both current symptoms and any deeper issues that may be contributing to them.

Question 5

How long are sessions?

Accepted Answer

A normal therapy session is usually 50 minutes although in some cases sessions of 75 minutes may be required for a short period of time. Coaching sessions can be between 30 minutes to 50 minutes depending upon your requirements.

Question 6

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

The number of therapy sessions you will need really depends upon what type of difficulties you are experiencing and their complexity. On average it tends to be 8 - 15 weekly sessions lasting 50 minutes. Sometimes it can be as few as 5 or up to 20+ but we can discuss this once we have a better idea of your goals and targets for therapy. With regards to coaching it really depends upon the level of support that you require and can be discussed in your first session.

Question 7

How much does therapy cost and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Costs will vary depending upon your personal requirements but are usually £85 per fifty minute session.  Sessions are to be paid by bank transfer at least 48 hours before the start of the session.

Question 8

Am I able to use my private health insurance to pay for my therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes that should be absolutely fine as I'm registered to work with most of the main health insurance providers including Bupa, Healix, Axa, WPA and Aviva. Please get in touch to discuss how to proceed further with therapy using your health insurance cover.

Question 9

How do I cancel a session?

Accepted Answer

To cancel a session please email at least 48 hours in advance of your session.

Question 10

Contact

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in therapy or coaching then please email:  susie@cobaltpsychotherapy.co.uk or use the contact form here on the website. We can then arrange a free 15 minute call to discuss the issues that you have been having and you can also get a feel for whether I am someone that you would be comfortable working with.

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