QUESTIONS ABOUT THERAPY

Psychotherapy and counselling are both forms of talking therapy, but they differ in depth and focus. Counselling tends to be shorter-term and issue-focused, offering a space to explore specific emotional challenges or life difficulties. The therapist listens, supports, and helps you find ways to cope within a confidential setting. Psychotherapy, by contrast, is typically a longer-term process. It goes deeper, exploring the roots of distress, patterns in thought, emotion, and behaviour, and how these may relate to your past or sense of self. It can support personal growth as well as the alleviation of symptoms linked to mental health concerns.

As an integrative therapist, my work is grounded in existential psychotherapy, with additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My approach is shaped by the existential tradition, particularly the work of Irvin Yalom, which emphasises authenticity, presence, and a deep respect for the client’s lived experience. In our sessions, we’ll focus on what feels most pressing or meaningful to you. Some people prefer a more structured approach with specific tools, while others are drawn to open exploration. We’ll shape the process together – at your pace and in your way – creating a space where honest conversation can lead to greater clarity, freedom, and change.

Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, grief, and existential concerns. In some cases, it may even improve engagement – people can be more likely to seek help, stick with it, and attend sessions consistently when therapy is more accessible. The flexibility of online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into your life, and advances in technology have improved how we connect and communicate in a therapeutic setting. If you feel comfortable speaking over video and have a reliable internet connection, online therapy can be a meaningful, effective way to get support.

It depends on your situation, needs, and what you want from psychotherapy. Determining the number of sessions beforehand is a bit like deciding on the length of a bridge without knowing the distance between two points. I'd recommend reading this article by Jonathan Shedler, in which he writes about the common claim that meaningful psychotherapy can be achieved in 8-12 sessions. Again, it depends on your situation. Brief therapy (8-12 sessions) might be sufficient if you have a relatively mild-to-moderate issue or clear goals on which you need some guidance. Dr. Aaron Beck (founder of CBT) cautioned against setting a predetermined number of sessions in a letter (2014) to the then Minister of Health for Australia, adding, "therapy needs to be individualised for the specific patient."

Existential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that explores how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. It addresses the deeper questions of human existence – meaning, purpose, freedom, mortality, isolation, and responsibility. Rather than offering quick solutions, it invites reflection on what truly matters to you and how you might live more authentically in light of that. This approach can be especially helpful during times of crisis or transition, when old assumptions no longer hold and new ways of being are yet to emerge. It encourages self-awareness, honest engagement with life’s challenges, and a greater sense of personal agency. An in-depth answer to this question can be read here.

It depends on what you're bringing to therapy. For some people – especially those with strong self-awareness, good support systems, and a clear sense of what they want – one or two sessions might be enough to gain clarity or make a meaningful shift, such as someone in the middle of a career change or looking for clarity on a particular decision. In those kinds of cases, brief work can be helpful. But when someone claims they can cure a psychological issue in one or two sessions, that’s a red flag. No ethical mental health professional should make such promises. Therapy isn’t about quick fixes – it’s a process that depends on trust, collaboration, and time. Real change tends to unfold gradually, often in unexpected ways. You might feel better after a single session – and that can be valuable – but feeling better isn’t the same as doing the deeper work of change. If someone offers a guaranteed cure, especially quickly, be cautious. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

It’s a fair question. Yes, therapy involves talking and listening, but the difference lies in the depth and purpose of that exchange. In everyday conversation, we often stay on the surface, avoiding the uncomfortable truths beneath. In therapy, we slow down, examine, and allow those deeper layers to emerge. Friends might offer advice that’s well-intentioned but not always what you truly need. As Carl Rogers once said, if advice worked to solve complex problems, we wouldn't need therapy. A therapist won’t direct or fix your problems – but they will help you explore your questions and struggles, untangle your thinking, and make sense of what’s been hard to face. In therapy, discomfort often comes before progress. That’s part of the work, and it's where change begins.