Stephen Young

The most important thing to expect from therapy with me is someone who will listen to you, and work with you to understand your difficulties, in a way that fits for you, and at a pace that feels comfortable. If you're new to therapy, then it would probably be worth spending some time discussing your thoughts and feelings about trying it - how it works, what you do, what I do, and any other questions you might have. My job is to be there for you and to use my expertise and experience to help us make sense of your difficulties together.

The way I work is something you and I decide on that together. Based on the difficulties or problems you're experiencing, I will offer you my thoughts on what might be the best way of working, and it may take us a few sessions to get to this point. All talking therapies are collaborations, and starting one way doesn't mean we can't change our approach later, if your needs or preferences change, or as the therapy progresses. My job is not to tell you what's best for you, but to help us work that out together. I will always encourage you to ask questions and to remember that this is your therapy, so you get to choose what we work on and how we work.

While I work alongside my colleagues at Caya in Peckham, my practice is completely independent. I also offer phone and online video sessions. The fee listed is my standard fee, but please visit my website to read more about my fee philosophy and how I work with my clients on an individual basis to determine the right fee (see http://www.steveyoungtherapy.co.uk/fees).

I offer a free, no strings attached, initial 50 minute session. You may have a clear sense of what you're struggling with - you may not. Often the first part of therapy is working this out. If you have a diagnosis that is useful or meaningful to you (e.g., Bipolar, OCD, EUPD, etc.), then you may wish to bring this, but it is certainly not a requirement. Sometimes it's more useful to describe our difficulties in terms of what we struggle with, whether that’s giving a presentation without becoming paralysed by anxiety, forming satisfying intimate relationships, accepting a compliment, or finding meaning and purpose in life. Therapy is also about making sense, not just of what is causing you distress, but why - because it then becomes possible to do something about it.

In Counselling Psychology we work primarily with what we call a formulation: a unique, psychologically informed understanding of the individual person and their difficulties. We formulate by listening, by asking questions, and by making sense of what appears to be happening in the session, including between the client and the therapist - an invaluable source of information and an important key to understanding you and your difficulties. Unlike a diagnosis, a formulation is unique to you, and is constantly being revised, honed and improved, as we work together. As with every aspect of therapeutic work, I always encourage my clients to ask questions at any time, including how I understand their difficulties (i.e. my formulation). Therapy is a collaboration: I bring expertise from training and experience; you bring your expertise on you and your life and experiences.