Frequent Asked Therapy Questions and Answers

The number of sessions you require will be assessed individually based on your current needs, and reviewed at various stages throughout treatment. NICE guidelines recommend 8-12 sessions for CBT or EMDR for trauma, but more if clinically relevant. If you are referred via a Private Medical Insurer, the amount of sessions available may depend on the limits of your insurance.

For therapy to be beneficial, it is recommended to have regular weekly appointments, however, it can sometimes be helpful to reduce the frequency towards the end of therapy

Online therapy for both CBT and EMDR is shown to be of equal effectiveness to in-person EMDR and CBT. For online EMDR,  when doing the bilateral stimulation, it is recommended to use alternate tapping instead of eye movements.

Trauma can show up in many different ways — not just as one big event, but also through ongoing or repeated experiences that felt overwhelming or left you feeling unsafe, helpless, or out of control. You might notice signs like intrusive memories, anxiety, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting others, or feeling stuck in certain patterns like avoidance or people-pleasing. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek support — if your past experiences are affecting your present wellbeing, this is something we can work on together.

Online EMDR works in much the same way as in-person EMDR. We use secure video calls, and I guide you through the process with techniques like alternate tapping instead of using eye movements.  These help the brain safely reprocess difficult memories. Many people find that being in the comfort of their own home can actually help them feel more at ease and grounded during sessions. Research shows that EMDR delivered online can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy.

Therapy is confidential. I won’t share any information about you or your sessions with anyone unless there is a legal or safety-related reason to do so (which we would discuss). When you agree to work with me, I will ask you to provide your GP details, but I will only contact them if it becomes apparent that you require urgent support. You’re welcome to involve others in your therapy journey if you choose, but your privacy and trust are always my priority.

This is something we can explore together. CBT is often helpful if you’re struggling with unhelpful thinking patterns, anxiety, low mood, or habits like avoidance or overthinking. EMDR is particularly useful if past events feel unresolved or continue to affect you emotionally or physically. Sometimes it may be appropriate to use a combination of both CBT and EMDR — we’ll tailor the approach to what feels most helpful for your specific needs and goals.

Usually, referrals will need to be made by the person who will be undergoing therapy. This is to ensure consent, and to protect confidentiality.