Frequently Asked Questions – Anna Kenyon Psychologist Therapy Farnham Surrey
Do I need to be referred by my GP?
It is not necessary to be referred by your GP. You can attend The Psychology Clinic as a self-referral. Some people like to visit their GP in the first instance, in which case your GP may refer you privately to The Psychology Clinic. Some private health insurers will require a GP or Psychiatrist referral in order to authorise treatment.
I would like to speak with someone before booking an appointment. Is this possible?
It is very understandable to want to speak with someone prior to arranging an appointment. You can call Irenie Phillips, Practice Manager, on 07561 371 053 who will be able to answer any questions you may have. If you wish to speak with Anna Kenyon directly, you can request a time with Irenie for Anna to call you back. There will be no charge for this call.
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
During your initial assessment at The Psychology Clinic a full history will be taken and details of the issue which prompted you to seek assistance will be explored. You may also be asked to complete a brief written assessment relevant to the issue you are wishing to address and this will be used to track your progress throughout treatment. Based on your initial assessment, we will discuss your treatment plan. This plan is not set in stone and it is not unusual for therapy to incorporate additional areas for exploration as treatment advances, but it does provide some direction to treatment from the outset.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions required varies greatly according to the complexity of the presenting issue, but will typically range between 14-20 sessions. EMDR treatment for certain conditions can be quite brief, and may only consist of between 4-6 sessions. For complex issues necessitating broader psychological therapy, additional sessions may be advised. Where there is a limited number of sessions funded by private health cover, treatment will be paced accordingly to ensure optimal progress is made within the timeframe allocated.
What if I do not wish to continue after my first session?
You are not tied into treatment at any point in the process. If at any point you wish to cease treatment, you can do so.
How much does each session cost?
Appointments are charged at £195.00 for a 50-minute consultation; a concessionary rate of £160.00 is offered for self-funding clients.
My life is already busy. How much work outside of sessions will I be expected to do?
Research shows that individuals who complete work outside of their sessions improve three times more quickly than individuals who do not attend to the session material during the week. Any work you are given will be tailored to what you can realistically achieve and find manageable – this may involve just a few minutes a day to consider an area of work covered in the last session. Throughout your treatment you will have the opportunity to express any concerns you may have about the work given, so that adjustments can be made where necessary to ensure it is manageable. It is also acknowledged and understood that at times life takes over, and that irrespective of intent, we do not always complete everything on our list of things to do!
I feel as though I should be able to sort out my difficulties by myself – why do I need therapy?
Everyone will go through difficult times at some point in their life. Many of these difficult times we are able to navigate ourselves, but sometimes it is helpful to talk through how we feel about a particular situation we find ourselves in, and learn the patterns in our thinking and our responses that may be unhelpful in how we deal with life’s challenges. It takes courage to attend therapy, but the insight you achieve can address both specific difficulties and help you manage future challenges.
I’m not able to attend weekly sessions. Will this be a problem?
Although it is generally recommended that clients attend weekly sessions, especially at the beginning of treatment, for some people this is just not realistic. For these clients, treatment is paced appropriately to ensure optimal results are still achieved within the best possible timeframe. It may be that there are interim updates between sessions spaced more than a week apart in order to maintain momentum in your treatment. Some clients opt to attend weekly appointments at the beginning of treatment, adjusting to fortnightly sessions once they are able to competently use some of the techniques they have learnt in their therapy.
I’ve heard that some people feel even worse when they start therapy. Why is this?
Not everyone will feel worse when they start their therapy. Some will feel great relief at being able to discuss the issue they have been struggling with, possibly helping them to realise that their difficulty is both normal and treatable. For some however, treatment may involve looking at painful topics, and for these individuals there is the possibility that their symptoms may worsen as difficult emotions and thoughts are accessed. This worsening in symptoms is temporary, and you will be monitored carefully to ensure that this is followed by a gradual reduction in symptoms.
How will I know if I’m getting better?
For most people it is fairly clear that they are making progress, but for complex, long-standing conditions that require prolonged treatment, it can be quite difficult to notice these improvements. Progress will be monitored carefully throughout treatment using the DASS-42 psychometric measure to ensure that advances are being made in the right direction. Treatment rarely follows a neat linear progression and it is common for clients to make small steps forward at some points in treatment, and larger steps forward at other times.
Quote:
Dr Kenyon developed a variety of assessment tools to evaluate the well-being and engagement of Hays employees, identifying specific areas that are significant to their productivity. I would not hesitate to recommend her service.
Elisabetta Bayliss, Director Hays plc