Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page. We have compiled a list of the most common questions we receive, in order to help you find information quickly and easily. However, if you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our professional team is always ready to provide you with the answers you need.
Counselling or Psychotherapy?
What's the difference?
Counselling and psychotherapy are both forms of talk therapy that aim to help individuals overcome emotional and psychological challenges. However, counselling typically focuses on addressing specific issues and providing short-term solutions, while psychotherapy is a more in-depth and long-term approach that aims to explore the root causes of problems and promote personal growth.
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At Thrive, our counsellors have typically trained on a Level 4, 5, 6 or 7 course, either part time or full time. These courses require 100 hours on placement, approximately 15-20 hours of personal therapy, and various academic assignments. Counselling courses typically cover three main approaches: person-centred, CBT, and psychodynamic modalities.
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Our psychotherapists are UKCP registered. This means that they have undertaken a four year course in a specific modality (e.g., Gestalt, Intersubjective, Transactional Analysis), completed 160 hours of personal therapy, completed client hours of between 450-750 hours (including working with couples and groups), and taken a mental health placement in addition to their client work. Their academic requirements are generally at level 7 (Masters) and include a substantial dissertation of between 10,000-24,000 words.
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What Approaches Do Thrive Use?
We offer a range of approaches and modalities. Our therapists are trained in various approaches and we offer a wide range of therapy.
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Person-Centred Therapy - where the work is client-centred, non-directive, and your counsellor will work with whatever you choose to bring to your sessions. This type of therapy relies on the core conditions of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. Person-Centred therapy is very effective in grief and loss work, along with life transitions and changes.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - is an effective therapy for anxiety, phobias, and compulsive behaviours. It can be short term, for example, 6-12 sessions.
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Psychoanalytical Therapy - explores how the unconscious mind influences our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and examines how our past experiences (often from childhood) might be contributing to our current struggles. Expect techniques such as Dream Interpretation,
Free Association, and exploration of Transference (when you project feelings from your past onto the therapist). This approach can help with anxiety, depression, identity issues, self-esteem, self-destructive behaviours, relationship issues, sexual problems, and confidence.
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Transactional Analysis - TA is a psychoanalytic theory and therapeutic approach. It is an integrative approach, using its own version of CBT within the work and also some key theories such as Ego States (our personality consists of three “ego states”: Parent, Adult and Child), Transactions (communication analysis), and the Life Script (self-limiting decisions made in childhood). Changing this script is the goal of TA psychotherapy. TA is used to address a variety of issues and is an effective form of psychotherapy.
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Gestalt Therapy - is a fascinating approach that focuses on the present moment and how your past experiences shape your current feelings and behaviour. Using awareness and curiosity, the therapist will not just listen to your words; they will also pay attention to your body language, your energy, and your entire presence. Gestalt is a psychotherapy.
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Integrative Therapy - is a combination of a number of approaches, usually person-centred, CBT, and psychodynamic/psychoanalytical. This means that your therapy is designed for your unique needs. ​
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Brief Solutions Focused Therapy - is a short term, goal-based approach. It can work very well with decision making and change.
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What if I don't get on with my counsellor?
The therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of counselling and psychotherapy. We pay attention to this by asking you for your preferences, such as gender and spoken language. We can also consider age, culture, and sexuality if needed.
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Generally, the relationship develops well and both client and counsellor feel that they can work together and sometimes there is a strong bond formed very quickly.
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However, sometimes the fit just isn't right and therapists know that this can happen. IF you feel that you can't work with your therapist, just let us know and we will re-allocate you to an alternative therapist.
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What is a Trauma Specialist?
What should I look for?
Experience and qualification are crucial for a trauma specialist.
It is important for a trauma specialist to have substantial post-qualification experience in order to provide the best possible care for clients. Expect to see over 4-5 years of post qualification experience, along with specialist training such as EMDR.
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Our trauma specialists are leading voices in their fields - conducting research, speaking at conferences, holding membership with trauma organisations, and contributing to trauma services in the UK and worldwide.
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We appreciate that these are high standards and this reflects the care and attention we pay towards this work.
How many sessions can I have?
The simple answer is as many as you want.
This is subject to your continued payment of fees to Thrive Counselling CIC and your therapist's availability.
What if I can't pay for my sessions?
Your agreement with Thrive Counselling CIC is that session fees are payable 48 hours prior to your appointment. If you have not yet paid at the 48 hour point, you will receive a reminder by text or email.
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If you have not paid by the time the session is 24 hours away, your session will be cancelled. For example, if your session is at 3pm on Wednesday, we request payment by 3pm on Monday. If payment is not made by 3pm on Tuesday, your session will be cancelled.​
All payments must be made via bank transfer, you cannot pay your therapist directly.
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Session fees help fund Thrive Counselling CIC's service, covering building costs, staffing costs, and other overheads. Without session fees, the service would not exist.
What if I don't like my therapist?
The relationship in therapy is a key aspect of successful work; a strong therapeutic relationship is like the heartbeat of effective therapy. The alliance between therapist and client sets the stage for growth and transformation.
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However, sometimes the chemistry or match isn't right and it's better to do something about that as early as possible. If you feel that your therapist isn't for you, you can discuss it with them, if you feel able, or contact Thrive Counselling CIC directly and we will arrange a session with another counsellor or psychotherapist.
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Your therapist will understand the importance of having the right person to work with. Please don't worry abut upsetting or offending them.
Do you provide services to everyone?
All prospective clients undergo an initial Welcome Call, which includes an assessment.
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We hope to offer services to everyone that contacts us, however, it is possible that some people may not be able to access our service.
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Thrive Counselling CIC reserve the right to refuse therapy services, if we believe that the therapy is not in the best interest of the client, or if we believe that an individual poses a risk to our staff.
