How long are your sessions?
Approximately 50 minutes.
How often should I have sessions with you?
I generally recommend that patients begin with weekly sessions to achieve dosage efficacy (see below) and reduce symptoms. If weekly sessions are not possible for you then I will do my best to accommodate you with another arrangement.
How long will it take me to get better?
Research has shown that between ‘57.6% and 67.2% of patients improve within an average of 12.7 sessions’ (dosage efficacy). This doesn’t mean patients are ‘better’ by the 13th session, but that, in general, the effects of psychotherapy begin to be felt by patients at this point: there is a difference between improvement and complete remission or ‘cure’. Depending on the complexity of your problem(s), you may require fewer or more sessions to ‘improve’. More complex problems will, generally speaking, require more sessions. In my experience, clients who attend regular weekly sessions and practice the activities I prescribe between our regular sessions improve more rapidly than those who don’t.
Are you available for in-person consultations?
Yes. If you are looking for a psychotherapist in Provence, France, I see patients in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches du Rhône) and La Cadière d’Azur (Var).
What kind of psychotherapy do you practice?
My approach to psychotherapy is integrative: I regard most models of psychotherapy as having some theoretical and practical utility. Some psychotherapies are very useful for explaining and treating certain problems, but less useful for explaining and treating others. Integrative Psychotherapy draws on multiple models of psychotherapy to develop a holistic approach to understanding and treating mental suffering.
How can I be certain that you can help me?
Unfortunately you can’t know for certain until we have worked together. Some therapists have impressive academic records but are below average clinicians. Research also shows that therapists don’t necessarily get better with time. Improvement in therapeutic skills depends on natural ability, training, supervision, and deliberate practice. The last of these is, regrettably, the most neglected component of therapeutic practice. I am fortunate to have received good training and excellent, continuing, supervision. I am a certified Deliberate Practice Therapist (with the International Deliberate Practice Society) and am completing training as a Deliberate Practice supervisor. This doesn’t necessarily mean I am the therapist for you though. We may just not be a good match. If, for whatever reason, I am not suitable to be your therapist, I will still do what I can to refer you to someone who can help.
What’s the difference between a psychotherapist, a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the branch of medicine, psychiatry, that studies and treats mental illness.
A psychologist is someone who has studied psychology—a discipline which regard itself as the science of mind.
Some, but not all, psychiatrists and psychologists also practice psychotherapy. (Some psychiatrists only manage medication for patients; some psychologists do work that is completely non-therapeutic—administer psychometric tests for example.)
All psychotherapists practice psychotherapy, and are generally trained in one or multiple models of psychotherapy (of which there are many different kinds).
What is your cancellation policy?
I require 48 hours notice or you will be liable to pay my consultation fee in full. I will, of course, make exceptions for emergencies or other unavoidable situations.
How do you take payment?
Cash, Check, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Can I pay in my national currency?
Depends. Currently, I can receive payments in AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, CAD.
Do you accommodate people on low incomes?
I keep room in my patient load for low-income patients. If you are on a low-income, I will accommodate you if I can.
Will my health insurance provider reimburse me for sessions with you?
Depends on your provider. You will need to check with your provider to be certain.
Will my national social security system reimburse me for seeing you?
No.