The first appointment focuses on your concerns and needs and clarifies what you wish to gain from therapy. We will then provide you with a formulation of which particular approach might be most beneficial to you and a possible timeframe. The psychologist will provide you with feedback about how she understands your difficulties, possible origins and treatment options. We are particularly interested in developing a full understanding of you as a person and what is important in your life. We then specify a clear set of goals for you to work towards in therapy. The assessment process generally takes place over the first two sessions. We ask about the history of your symptoms and your life in general. We may also give you some questionnaires to fill in between sessions to monitor your mood or provide some information about your pattern of symptoms.

You are welcome to come by yourself or accompanied by someone important to you. If you are concerned about the impact of your symptoms on others, then it may be useful to include people significant to you in sessions from time to time.