Question 1

Where are the sessions held?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are held in consulting rooms in Harley Street, Marylebone, London W1 and in North West London.

Question 2

Confidentiality/Ethics?

Accepted Answer

Billi abides by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Code of Ethics.

Question 3

BACP definition of counselling and psychotherapy

Accepted Answer

‘Counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms that cover a range of talking therapies. They are delivered by trained practitioners who work with people over a short or long term to help them bring about effective change or enhance their wellbeing.’

Question 4

Why people choose to have therapy?

Accepted Answer

Usually individuals choose to have therapy because they are experiencing difficulties and distress in their lives.
Sometimes people can be isolated but at other times, even where an individual has the most supportive family and friends, they can find it difficult if not impossible to explain why, for example, they may be feeling anxious and or depressed. Or it may be easier to talk about personal, family, or relationship issues with a person who is independent of friends and family.
Other life issues and events which can be very difficult to deal with include bereavement, divorce, redundancy, health issues, bullying and so on. However, you do not have to be in crisis or on the verge of one, before choosing to have therapy.
You may be experiencing underlying feelings of dissatisfaction with life in general, or be seeking balance in your life and spirituality. All of these reasons and more will bring individuals to therapy.

Question 5

What is therapy?

Accepted Answer

The therapist will do their best to help you to look at your issues, and to identify the right course of action for you, either to help you resolve your difficulties or help you find ways of coping.
Talking about these things may take time, and will not necessarily all be included in one session.
The number of sessions offered may be limited, and so it is best to ask about this in advance, for example, brief therapy or short term therapy might provide a maximum of 6, 8, 10 or 12 sessions.

Question 6

Types of therapy

Accepted Answer

A therapy session is a time set aside on an agreed date at an agreed place, which provides a ‘safe’ space, which is private, undisturbed, and cannot be overheard or interrupted. The counsellor will reach an agreement with you about confidentiality.
Therapy may be available for individuals, couples, families and groups, and there are different ways of working with people, usually referred to as ‘approaches’, ‘techniques’ or ‘modalities’.

Billi Silverstein
Psychotherapy

Frequently Asked Questions