Patricia Caddy

My training in the late1970s/early 80s was psychodynamic in approach.

Over the years I have developed an integrative approach - adapting to each client's needs.

Alongside my private practice, I worked in mental health for 25 years, which included being a member of an eating disorder treatment team.

I am committed to my professional development, in an attempt to keep abreast with current issues and research.

I am currently working face to face and online 

In an initial session, after introducing ourselves, I explain to a prospective client that this is a session for us to share information and to get a feeling of how it may be to work together. I also make it clear that, at the end of the session, a joint decision can be made about whether I am the right therapist for them and whether they wish to continue - or a client may need to go away and think about it.

I explain that I will need to ask some questions about their family and mental health history (and physical if appropriate) and what brought them to this session. They will have the opportunity to tell their story in whatever way they want and to ask me whatever they need to know about the way I work. I also ask whether this would be their1st experience of therapy or whether they have been in therapy before and if so, what they got from it. I also ask what their expectations might be of entering therapy now.

If a decision is made to go ahead with therapy, I outline what the conditions of our working together will be, which I also put in writing, in the form of a letter.

It states the date and time of the 1st session and the agreed frequency.

Cancellations within 24 hours are fully chargeable, but, If I have to cancel I will offer an alternative time in the same week, if possible.

Negotiated breaks are not chargeable.

I receive regular supervision for my work, but the content of  sessions will remain confidential. The only time I would question this and might take some action, would be if a client was to tell me something which might cause harm to themselves or others. However, I would not act without discussing it with the client 1st and might encourage them to take some action.

I do keep anonymised records for my use only.

I ask whether these conditions are acceptable before continuing with the sessions.