Helena Cook

I work in my private practice Monday - Thursday. First session is 8am and last session is 7pm. I currently have some availability. 

I work in close cooperation with my clients, tailoring sessions to your needs and expectations while maintaining safe boundaries and strictly respecting confidentiality at all times (except in exceptional situations of risk to the client or someone else). I generally see clients weekly or twice weekly for a 50 minute session at the same time and day. 

I am a psychodynamic therapist but also bring in as needed elements of other modalities such as CBT, person centred therapy and an integrative approach. I am a member of BACP and UKCP and work within their professional standards and adhere to their codes of ethical practice. I generally  work with clients face to face in my own Consulting Room but I am happy to offer sessions on line or by phone. I have regular supervision, a valuable resource for me and my clients; I am fully insured; and I am registered with the UK regulator for data protection which governs and protects the use of your personal data. I keep up to date with the latest developments in the field of therapy and follow a programme  of continuing professional development.          

I understand that coming into therapy is a big step. You want to know if I am the right person for you; if I have experience with the issues you bring;  how long therapy will last; how it works and if it works. I keep all of these issues in mind as we progress in the work and encourage you to think and talk about how it feels for you as the work progresses. 

As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, as well as focussing on your current dilemmas and struggles, I am interested in exploring your past relationships and experiences to understand how these may have shaped your current behaviour and to understand your blocks and defences to change and personal development. I am  interested in your dreams and the unconscious communications between us and between you and others as a deeper insight into    your mind. I ask you to start sessions so that you set the agenda with what is uppermost in your mind. If you feel stuck we may try free association to see what comes up. I am fully involved in the session; always listening carefully to you, commenting or interpreting  where helpful, but allowing you to lead. Silences are sometimes useful and can be revealing but I do not allow silence to become unhelpful or a struggle.     

With a new client I have an initial phone call (without charge) to understand what you are looking for, if I might be a good fit and for you to ask your questions as well as discussing practicalities of session times, absences, fees etc. We may then decide to set up one or more initial sessions. 

The first session can be nerve wracking  for you. My first sessions are the usual 50 minutes and I charge the same fee as for a regular session. However, as well as hearing in more detail about what has brought you into therapy, I aim to take a detailed history of your current life, your personal history, your family circumstances, your relationship history, your medical history, especially as regards mental health and medication, and any other relevant information. This means that I ask a lot of questions and I take notes (contrary to regular sessions). We may decide together to have one or more further 'initial sessions'  to enable me to have a fuller picture and for us to decide if it is right to embark on therapy together. 

At the initial session we also discuss my Therapy Agreement which I ask you to sign and which sets out the framework according to which we will work. I also give you my Data Protection Notice to sign and ask you to complete a Client Information Form and a form providing details of your GP and any other medical professionals involved with your mental health, giving me your consent to contact them in the exceptional circumstances where I deem there is a serious risk to you or others.  

Going into therapy is a big commitment in terms of emotional connection , time and money. I understand that new clients may  be in touch with other therapists or therapy organisations. I encourage this as it is vital that you feel that you can work effectively with me, that you trust me and that you feel we could be a good fit before you commit. For the same reason I keep the progress of our work under review with you going forward.