Question 1

How much does a session cost?

Accepted Answer

Each session is 50 minutes and costs £120

Question 2

When and where are session held?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are held online via Google Meet, or in person at my home in Killinghall, Harrogate. If you are local you are welcome to do a mix of the two. There is no difference in quality of therapy you receive, all I ask if you opt for therapy online is that you have space you can make yourself comfortable in and where you won’t be overheard.

I only offer weekly therapy (except any holidays), though as we near the end of our work together many clients like to start making them less frequent so that it's not a sudden end.

Question 3

How many therapy sessions do I need?

Accepted Answer

Everyone is different and sessions are booked on a week to week basis. 3 months is good, 6 months is even better. You have the opportunity to continue for as long as you like. We check in regularly along the way with how you feel it's going and where you'd like to go deeper, so this conversation is always open.

Question 4

What kind of therapist are you?

Accepted Answer

I’m an integrative psychotherapist which means I use a range of modalities in our sessions. The main ones include Compassion  Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic, Parts Work all with an embedded awareness of the connection between body and mind (the nervous system), trauma and the impact of societal systems.

Question 5

How will therapy with you help me?

Accepted Answer

Therapy with me will give you space to offload, get clarity on your thoughts, understand where anger, anxiety or overwhelm are coming from and how to feel calmer in your body and mind.

I do not pretend that you will come out of therapy as an ‘always calm, always perfect’ mum because that simply isn’t possible. Parenting in this world is hard and there will always be moments that feel a lot.

However, those moments don’t have to feel too much and as heavy as they do right now. The aim of therapy with me is to get to what is underneath the big emotions so that you’re not also carrying the weight of your own childhood experiences, or the pressure to get it right or the need to constantly be doing things for others and not yourself.

It allows you to lift some weight from your shoulders so that you’re not constantly on edge of irritation or snapping. It’s about expanding your capacity for dealing with the tough moments from a more rested state, rather than a fight or flight (angry or anxious) state and helping you move between big emotions and calm more easily without the guilt and shame.

Question 6

Can I start therapy without knowing what's 'wrong'?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, lots of people do. We simply start with what you’re experiencing and go from there. Therapy is a space to make sense of the thoughts and feelings that feel too big, too quiet or too messy to untangle alone.

Question 7

Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need a diagnosis, label or crisis to start therapy, though if you have any of those that is okay too. 
If you’re feeling angry, anxious, emotionally overwhelmed or just not like yourself, that’s enough.

Question 8

Can I cancel or reschedule a session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as you give 48 hrs notice before our scheduled session. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours are not refundable, though if we are able to reschedule within the same week I will simply transfer the payment to the new session time with no extra charge.

In instances where you need to cancel or rearrange appointments, you can email me at hello@clairejudd.co.uk (mailto:hello@clairejudd.co.uk)or message me on 07595775237. Holidays or other required absences can be planned as we go and I will give you notice of any of my own holidays (which usually occur during school holidays).

Question 9

Are you qualified?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Frustratingly, 'counsellor' and 'psychotherapist' are still unprotected titles in the UK so legally anyone can call themselves a counsellor or therapist. However, to be eligible for insurance and membership with one of the professional bodies, (such as the BACP that holds a register accredited by the Professional Standards Agency) a counsellor or psychotherapist have to be at least educated with a nationally recognised diploma and have an accredited supervisor to ensure they work ethically.

I am a member of the NCSP. You can check I'm registered here: https://www.search-ncps.com/search (https://www.search-ncps.com/search)by typing in Claire Judd in to the search.
I hold a BSc in Psychology, and a Post Graduate Diploma (L7) in Counselling and Psychotherapy and continually keep updated with new research and training that I target specifically to maternal mental health.

Question 10

I have a baby/young child, can I bring them?

Accepted Answer

These sessions are for you and I want you to be able to make the most of them. In an ideal world you would come by yourself. This means your attention is fully on yourself and our session, as I know only too well how our mind is programmed to attempt multi-tasking when in the presence of our children.

Having said that, we don't always live in the ideal world so if you have a young baby who is not yet mobile, they are welcome. Unfortunately moving infants take a good deal more attention and you may be much more considered in your language and your emotions around them. In this case, it's unlikely that you would be able to focus fully on yourself, therefore I ask that you make arrangements for them during our time together.

Question 11

Do I need to have a free initial call?

Accepted Answer

Not at all, many of my clients get to the point they’ve decided to start therapy and simply want to book a first session. The initial free call is a good option if you have questions that aren’t covered here or have a concern you’d like to discuss.