What should you expect from psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy should be

• A collaboration between therapist and client - you are a team.

• Confidential as far as possible

• Respectful - boundaried in time and space

• Goal driven - change is important and mutual goals should be agreed upon

• A safe space, non-judgemental, inclusive

• Internally focussed - you can only change what is inside you, and how this makes you relate to your world

• Work. You should be challenged to change the parts of you that are causing you problems - with help from your therapist.

Your therapist should

• Have relevant qualifications and membership with a recognised professional body

• Clearly explain their approach and how sessions work

• Work within ethical boundaries

• Be transparent about pricing, policies, and cancellation terms

• Be open to feedback and interested in what has worked and what hasn't, and be willing to adjust the approach as necessary.

Psychotherapy is not

• A friend - you need a professional relationship with your therapist

• Support - you can use friends, family members, colleagues for support. Therapy is a challenge.

• A chat - see above

• A chance to offload - see above.

• Externally focussed - unfortunately, even the best therapist is unable to change the world.

• A quick fix - therapeutic results usually take a while.