We understand that beginning therapy can feel daunting. We want our clients to feel as comfortable as possible which is why we have outlined a useful overview of how individual therapy works.
CBT generally includes three broad stages: an initial stage, a middle stage, and an ending stage.
Below you will find an indication of what therapy might look like, and what you can expect at each of these stages. It is important however to remember than each client and the challenges they face are unique to them, therefore the number of sessions required can vary.
During your initial consultation with us, we will capture some key details about you and your reasons for seeking therapy. We will also aim to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible about your first session with us.
At our first session, we will carry out a thorough assessment. Don't worry, it's not scary; simply a fact finding exercise so we can get to know each other a bit better and so we can formulate the best treatment plan for you. At this session we will:
For some of our clients this can be the first time they have been able to openly talk to someone about the difficulties they are facing, and we understand that for some, it can be an emotional experience. Please be assured that we will provide you with a safe, warm and confidential space to speak freely without judgement.
As therapists, we are continually assessing and formulating to ensure your motivations and expectations are understood, and to develop the most effective treatment plan for you. Throughout our initial sessions we will work collaboratively to understand what problems you face in the here and now. We may also begin to explore:
We will begin incorporating ways to restructure unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours, and to test alternative strategies to improve how you think, feel, behave and to move us towards meeting your goals.
At this stage in your therapeutic journey, we will be aiming to implement new cognitive and behavioural strategies to help you address your unhelpful thoughts and / or behaviours.
We always keep your goals in mind so we will monitor how we are progressing, any positive changes you have experienced and we will adapt our treatment plan accordingly.
It is important that by this stage we have formed a good, solid therapeutic alliance and trust based working relationship. At Spire, we believe the relationship between us and our clients is the most important factor in your journey and we place a lot of emphasis on ensuring our clients feel comfortable, safe and heard.
It is during this stage of therapy that we will begin trying new strategies to help you cope with your difficulties. CBT offers a whole array of different techniques, tools and interventions which can help you achieve your goals. These may include, but will not be limited to:
We understand that you may be reluctant to try some interventions and we will never ask you to engage in anything you do not wish to. In these instances we will discuss your concerns and find the best route forward. Sometimes it can be counter productive to avoid methods that might make you feel mild discomfort but we will always be sensitive to your needs while balancing any avoidance issues.
It's not uncommon for our clients to wonder how long therapy will last, or how they will know when it is the right time to end. There is no single answer to this as each client is individual, and the duration of therapy depends on several factors, for example:
Throughout each stage of your therapeutic journey we will establish review points and discuss your progress. It is important to note that as the client, you have the right to end therapy at any time and in our experience by the time we enter our end phase our clients generally understand themselves better and know what is right for them.
Some of our clients can find the idea of ending therapy unsettling, particularly if their experiences of other endings has not been a positive one. As we make plans to end therapy, we will begin to review the positive changes you have observed, focus on relapse prevention and reflect on how the process has been for you.
Finally, should you decide at some point you need additional support and choose to return to therapy, you are always welcome to return.
Adhering to the latest Covid-19 guidance, we are currently providing therapy to our clients remotely using either Zoom or Skype. Ordinarily, we practice from a comfortable counselling room based in the city centre of Glasgow.
We have compiled a list of commonly asked questions that you may find helpful.
We know that taking the first step engaging with therapy can feel daunting which is why we offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation. We would love to speak to you and answer any questions you have.