What should I put in my initial email?

As much or as little as you would like! you could give a brief outline of who is in the family, and how you see the problem. You may prefer to arrange a time to speak and discuss everything on the phone- this is fine too.

Can I book in for a first session without an introductory call?

Yes, you absolutely can.

How do I prepare for a first session?

Firstly- there is no expectation for you to prepare! While some people might like to have in mind the things they would like to talk about, remember that therapy is a conversation. You aren’t expected to have everything figured out before coming to the first session. I would however encourage you to think about your day around the first session. You might want to plan something nice afterwards, and make sure you have space either side and aren’t rushing between things. You are welcome to bring notes or a notepad for in the session, if you like.

My ex-partner would also like to have an intro call- is that OK?

Yes of course, that is fine.

How do I explain the idea of therapy to my child?

It is important to give your child a clear, simple and positive idea about what a therapy session is. You can tell them that they are going to see a professional who helps children with problems like theirs. Let them know how long the appointment will be for.

How do you make children feel comfortable when they meet you?

When I meet all clients- I want to get to know them outside of the problem first. I see this as an essential part of therapy. This especially goes for children who might feel worried about coming in for the first time. Children often have many resources and skills from other parts of life which can be brought in to challenge the problem! We can also use toys and games as part of therapy.