“What will the first session actually feel like?”

The first session is a chance to begin making sense of what’s going on. There’s no pressure to have everything worked out in advance — we start where you are, and begin to build a clearer picture together.

It is never too late to make changes that feel necessary or meaningful. Even in difficult periods, there is often a way forward.

In times of stress or uncertainty, it can be helpful to step back and consider: what do you need, what may be missing, and what patterns or beliefs may have become stuck.

Understanding how the brain and nervous system respond to stress can be key to creating change.

Our emotional needs are as important as our physical ones. When they are not met, stress, anxiety, or a sense of disconnection can build over time. When they are understood and supported, we are more likely to feel balanced, motivated, and resilient.

How to Choose a Therapist;

Two key considerations are ‘fit’ and training. Fit can be assessed with a discovery call to see if there is a feeling of understanding and connection. Training is all about the type of therapy you are seeking.

Human Givens therapy is an integrative approach that combines elements from several major therapeutic traditions, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), humanistic and person-centred therapies, solution-focused and brief therapy, behavioural approaches, and mindfulness-based methods. Informed by neuroscience, attachment theory, and psychology, it focuses on understanding how emotional needs are met and how unhelpful thinking or behavioural patterns develop. Therapy is collaborative and practical, helping you gain insight, learn effective coping strategies, and make meaningful changes that support lasting emotional wellbeing in everyday life.

Human Givens Therapy is one of eight registers by the PSA (Professional Standards Agency) to provide psychotherapy and counselling.

The NHS, in its guidance to people seeking counselling, advises the following in its section 'Other ways to get talking therapies': "Before choosing a private therapist, make sure they’re registered with a professional organisation that’s been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA)." (see https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies/)

The SCoPEd framework, an initiative in which a number of bodies who are all accredited by the PSA have been working together to create a shared framework for the scope of practice and education for counselling and psychotherapy with adults in the UK.

HGI is one of the six organisations which (along with BACP, UKCP and three others) have worked on behalf of all counsellors and psychotherapists to create a UK framework that ensures competence and safety in working practices.

PSA register

How does coaching differ from therapy?

Broadly speaking coaching is future orientated and solution focused. Past events play their part, but we will focus on where you are now and how to help you move forwards. Coaching is a collaborative partnership where a coach helps you identify your blocks, tap into your potential, clarify your aspirations and develop strategies to achieve them.

Therapy offers a safe space to explore and heal emotional and psychological challenges. It is focused on healing, self-discovery and enhancing mental well-being. Therapy helps you understand underlying patterns, process emotions and develop coping strategies. It can involve delving into the past to facilitate personal growth and emotional resilience.

What happens in the first call?

In the first call you will provide an overview of your situation and what is troubling you or what you want support with. Your coach or therapist will ask you questions to help you identify blocks and challenges. A coach will help you to identify your challenges, maybe prioritising them if there are many. In future sessions you will continue to identify what is troubling you, as this can change from what is first presented, develop coping mechanisms and strategies to move forwards.

How does it work?

The process is different for everyone, as each individual has their own preferred style of communicating and problem solving, but one thing that we all have in common is that we have to face challenges in life. A coach or therapist will ask you questions to help you elicit your thoughts and feelings around your chosen subject and help you reach new understanding. Methods can range from purely question driven sessions but can involve other strategies like guided imagery, story telling or metaphor or using somatic exercises to remove stress from the body. This will be identified in session depending on what you bring and what works for you.

How many sessions will I need?

Once again this differs from person to person, but a great deal can be achieved in 6-10 sessions. If you are finding the sessions helpful, you might chose to continue, or move into monthly maintenance sessions to ensure you continue to work through the changes you have committed to and keep you on track.