Jemma Dennis

Psychotherapy will provide you with the space to talk and reflect, to help you explore and understand your feelings, thoughts and behaviours, so that you can free yourself from emotional blocks and be able to live a more fulfilling life.

It will involve you speaking about your current and past problems, and I will be listening in a particularly empathic and skilled way. I will be looking for and carefully highlighting previously uncovered patterns, meanings, emotions, defences and beliefs. The understanding of which will help you see yourself more clearly and thus clear the pathway to change. As the therapy progresses you will gain a better understanding of and compassion for why you live as you do, and you will observe when and where your patterns are being enacted. Over time as your feelings and confidence start to change through the process of psychotherapy, you will begin to feel secure enough to start co-formulating and experimenting with new and more satisfying ways to be; reducing your symptoms and improving your relationship with yourself and others.

The aim of psychotherapy and relationship counselling is to provide you, the client, with a confidential opportunity to explore personal and relational issues in safety.

My role is to help you through this process without judgement or telling you what to do, although goals may be set and worked towards.

I find many issues that bring clients into therapy result from unresolved experiences and how these shape beliefs about life.

My work is grounded in the transpersonal which, to me, means walking alongside you, guiding as requested, as you find answers within yourself.

For individuals, sessions will be weekly at the same time every week.

For relationship therapy, we will either meet weekly or every other week.

If you arrive late for a session, unfortunately the time cannot be extended.

For individuals, sessions are typically one clinical hour (50 minutes).

Relationship therapy sessions are 90 minutes.

I would rather see the couples less frequently but for longer, so we have time to explore from both perspectives.

If sessions are missed or cancelled within 5 days of the session, the client will be expected to make payment before the next session.

For the sessions where clients need to cancel in advance, a £30 fee is required so that overhead costs can be met and so the day and time of their slot can be reserved for them.

That depends on the issues you’re looking to work on. I work on an open-ended basis, so we can decide together how long you will need.

During the initial consultation we can discover if we feel we can work together. I will ask you some questions about your past and present situation, and what has brought you to seek therapy at this point in your life.

You’ll also have the opportunity to see if there is rapport between us, and if you feel I can help you work through your issues and concerns.

If so, we will agree a certain number of sessions (usually starting with 8 sessions), at the same time and place every week. If not, then there is no obligation to continue.

This is a key aspect of the therapy relationship, and everything discussed in the therapy sessions is kept in confidence.

To ensure open exploration of the concerns that you have brought to therapy, I the therapist will maintain confidentiality in accordance with an ethical framework for good practice at all times.

Confidentiality may only be broken when:

If I believe a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or harmed, I may be required to contact or file a report with the appropriate agency.

If I believe a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, I may be required to take protective actions. These actions may include notifying the potential victim, contacting the police or the client's GP or seeking hospitalisation of the client.

If a client threatens to harm themselves, I may be obliged to contact their GP, emergency services, or others who can help provide protection.

If a client is involved in terrorism or other illegal activity, I will be obliged to notify the appropriate agency.

You'll need a device (computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone) with a stable internet connection, a working camera and microphone. A quiet, private space is also very important to ensure you feel comfortable speaking openly during sessions. I will send you the zoom link to your email address 5 minutes before our session is due to begin.

I use zoom to ensure that our sessions are GDPR compliant to protect your privacy. Upholding professional and ethical standards and ensuring confidentiality is a priority.

Online therapy is ideal if you have mobility constraints, live outside London or have a demanding schedule that makes travel difficult. It also benefits those who feel more at ease seeking help from the comfort of their home.

An initial online consultation can help determine if virtual sessions suit your therapy needs and personal preferences.

Couples and family sessions can be conducted online, provided everyone has access to a stable internet connection and a private space to participate.